Bridport and West Dorset Golf Club

This was the second time I played here and it is definitely somewhere that benefits from knowing the course and it's idiosyncrasies. Previously there were light winds and it wasn't too strenuous a challenge but this time a force 6 south westerly was whipping up the Channel which transformed the course. On a day like that you can throw the rangefinder away and rely on gut instinct. It was a new experience hitting a full driver into a 147 yard par 3 and only just making it. Massive fun overall and it's not just about the stunning 6th and the wonderful views, the greens were good and slick despite heavy overnight rain and the time of year and the club is friendly and welcoming. Add to that a huge plate of sausage and mash and some bread and butter pudding, what more could you ask for? If you like your golf to be a bit different, get there on a windy day, you'll have a blast!

The course is situated on the clifftop of one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in the UK and, unsurprisingly, the views are somewhat distracting. Received a very warm reception in the clubhouse from the pro and club captain (who was delivering crates of water!) and then onto the 1st. The course is not overly long and the fairways wide but often sloping. I played on a warm, completely still day and managed 40 points. Clearly, the course's main defense is the weather and, I would imagine that in a force 6 sou'westerly, that 40 points would quickly turn into 20! Greens, fairways were immaculate and the members I encountered very friendly. It's worth playing for the signature hole alone (6 I think): a short par 3 with an enormous drop from the cliff top to a small green above the beach with a view of the coast all the way into Devon. Clubhouse is modern and friendly, had two proper beers and I had a very good baguette. Drove home very content.

Wow !! This is one of the best courses we have played, superb condition, great picturesque holes, nice people. If you are golfing in Dorset you must play this. A par 3 with a sheer drop, par 4's over walls, it had everything. We played this as part of a golf weekend, trouble is we played Dorset Gold and Country club also which was a mistake, we should have played this course twice ! Thank you to the members who guided us thorugh a few blind holes.

Played Bridport and West Dorset GC whilst on a family holiday in the area. Managed to get an afternoon away from the beach to play a quick round of golf, and I was so pleased that I did. Bridport is a fantastic course to play whilst in holiday although I suspect that some of the more "quirky" aspects that make the occasional round so much fun may irritate a member playing the course regularly- especially the walls! Highlights were the run of holes between 5 and 7, starting with a wonderfully winding par 5 that can be attacked if in correct position, followed by the signature 6th. The course was in excellent condition from tee to green but the greens were slightly fluffy, not enough to overly effect the roll of the ball. However the best aspect of this course is the location, literally on the cliffs overlooking west bay beach, stunning. The course is extremely hilly but for some reason was not too bad to walk (except for the par 5 16th which has a huge valley mid fairway) My only real complaint would be the disappointing and slightly dull par 3 18th. Play this course.

Played at B&WD GC last week and found it to be in good test of golf. Experienced the full range of the coastal weather systems, 8 holes of force 5 wind followed by a deluge of horizontal rain culminating in a blistering sunshine finish. As previously mentioned this course is plentiful in truly remarkable scenery, reminiscent of Pennard GC on the Gower peninsula. Forgiving in places and punishing in others this is a true test of golf course management and whilst everyone will say that the 6th is a postcard of a hole, which it is, my particular feature of note on the course was the dry stone wall that punctuates the 11th and 12th fairways respectively. Masonary at its finest!

Played here yesterday in their Mens Team Open and the wind blew HARD. One of our team hit a driver at the 180 yard downhill 18th when he would normally hit a 7 iron. The long par 5 16th was straight into the wind and our best two scores were 8s.This is a very difficult hole at the best of times although the first cut yesterday was more generous than in previous years. As mentioned elsewhere the par 3 6th is as dramatic a hole as I have seen and turned out to be a wedge yesterday (after I had hit a 7 iron onto the next tee). The views from every hole are stunning with the sea in one direction and the Dorset countryside in the other. This course is 110 miles from us but we have been going there for 7 or 8 years now which should say something about the welcome and the great value. There are virtually no trees on the course but lots of punishing rough and one par 3 which is 180 yards over a pond and I'm afraid I have never managed to carry the water. Others have hinted that Bridport is "comfortable" and the standard scratch would indicate that as well. But yesterday when we left there was not one team which was even level par NET with 2 to count out of 4! It is a lovely day out on an unusual golf course where you are made really welcome but if the wind blows you will not get round very quickly, nor with the same ball.

This is a very scenically located cliff top golf course with many holes having views across Lyme Bay. I would not describe it as a tradional links as it appears to be soil rather than sand based, but there is a links feel to many holes that from a distance look chaotically juxtaposed against a natural canvas. Their signature hole is the very short par 3 6th where you are hitting off the top of the cliff to a green way below that is surrounded by bunkers, distance judgement is crucial but very difficult. The back nine has a series of 4 holes where you are hitting over stone walls, this is particularly disconcerting on the 12th where you have no real idea where the green is until you get over the wall. A pleasant test of golf, and a new clubhouse that the members are rightfully proud of.

Played a delightful round in early May. Course overlooks sea with spectacular views from Lyme Bay to Bournemouth. New clubhouse built three years ago is luxurious, and now the slight revision to the layout has incorporated a few modifications around a driving range as well. Signature 6th hole rates in top 50 in the world and involves a good strike from the top of a cliff onto a postage stamp green! Course for early May was bone dry and the greens were like concrete. No drop and stop and this combined with the bumpy nature of the greens often wrecked a good approach. I hate to think how the course plays in August. A tricky course with wind, slope and one fiendish water hazard will test all but the experienced locals. A great day out for £18, but the lack of credit/debit card facilities was annoying for a club of this size and stopped us spending more in the bar afterwards.

Awesome, played here about 2 years ago and still have very fond memories. Definately the most picturesque course I have played on in England. Not overly challenging, perfect for us 18 handicappers. Friendly staff.

Golf doesn't get a great deal more scenic than at Bridport. The course, the oldest in Dorset, is situated right by the sea albeit without being 'true' links golf. It's a fairly short layout but there was next to no wind when we played and no doubt it's significantly harder when it's gusting in from the English Channel. There aren't actually that many memorable holes. However, you won't forget the 14th - 'the drop hole' - in a hurry. Perched precariously by the side of a 200-ft high cliff, you tee off half that distance down into a valley to a green that stands above the beach and which is literally surrounded by bunkers. Club selection was difficult enough when we played, and that was in calm conditions. What a great hole! (and what a shame you can't upload photos with these reports!) The 15th is a good genuine Par 5 where you play out of the aforementioned valley and then blind over a stone wall! The 10th is a challenging Par 3 where you need to be straight and true. The grass seemed a bit too long (on both fairways and greens) and situated anywhere else the course would be in danger of seeming rather average. But it's only £11 at weekends with 2-Fore-1, it's friendly and very unpretentious and simply it's amazing location makes it worth a visit if you're in or near the Dorset area. 6/10 Young P

In summer it is cheaper after 5, but don't bother during the week because it is packed out (if the weather is good). Course is excellent with lots of Hay around in the rough. Expect to lose one or two balls. This course has character. Not only good views, but interesting stone walls. Not really true links play though. When it rains and the wind blows it becomes very challenging

Windswept, criss-cross clifftop course. Long holes with some interest. Unfortunately when we played the course was littered with white feathers from the sea bird population; thousands of white feathers pretending to be golf balls! The par three 14th is interesting. The tea is set high above the green on the edge of the cliff-face. Fanatastic views over the English Channel.