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May 29, 2021

Visiting the 19th hole with Fossil Coast Gin

Updated: May 30, 2021

Why not join us on this 95 mile road trip of golf taking in 7 golf courses, 126 holes and play 42,181 yards of the Jurassic Coast which is now recognised as one of the UK's seven natural wonders as well being an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Oh yes, don't forget the 7 clubhouse watering holes...

For those golfers looking to hit the open road armed with the wanderlust for a road trip and staycation to escape the the stresses of the daily grind for the greener fairways of the Devon and Dorset coast this maybe for you.


Among both Jack and my interests is a regular game of golf. I don't mean an overly competitive game but rather a time sharing our downtime together, with friends or family at a scenic though challenging golf club. A day like that should be rewarded with a cool gin & tonic at the clubhouse 19th hole.

According to a study by the R&A the organisation that governs the sport of golf worldwide there are 30 million golfers in 143 countries and 78% of approximately 40,000 golf courses worldwide are located in just 10 countries: the United States, Japan, Canada, England, Australia, Germany, France, Republic of Korea, Sweden and Scotland.


This blog will focus on seven superb golf courses that are located within sight of the Jurassic Coast of Devon and Dorset.


So buckle up, slap on your sun screen and enjoy our suggestion of where to play, in what we have called, the Jurassic Coast Golf Road Trip starting from West to East.

East Devon Golf Club

Address: North View Road, Budleigh Salterton, Devon, EX9 6DG United Kingdom

Pro Shop: 01395 445195


The East Devon Golf Club is a members club founded in 1902 and ranked in the top 100 golf courses in the United Kingdom. Visitors are welcome to book a tee time online. At this time (May 2021) the green fees ranged from between £20.00 for Juniors under the age of 18 years and £75.00 for 18 holes for adults. The course also offers a Summer Twilight rate after 4:00pm and County Cards are accepted but check on any terms of use before booking.


The East Devon Golf Club is a combination of a heathland and cliff top course set 450 feet at its highest point with sea views across Lyme Bay out towards Portland Bill in Dorset. The course is located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty west of the small town of Budleigh Salterton. The course is measures 6,297 yards a challenging par of 70 (sss71) and a par of 74 (sss74) for Ladies. The Club has been an England Golf championship venue, hosting the 2012 Ladies County Finals, the 2017 English Club Championship and the 2018 English Girls’ Open Championship. The late Peter Alliss, who I had the great pleasure of meeting in Barbados during a WGC event, was both a legendary professional golfer and pioneer sports broadcaster once said that the 16th tee to be “one of the best views in golf”.


Sidmouth Golf Club

Address: Cotmaton Road, Sidmouth EX10 8SX

Pro Shop: 01395 513 451


Only a 20 minute drive from the East Devon Golf Club along the B3178 is Sidmouth Golf Club. Founded in 1889 this J H Taylor designed course that warmly welcomes visitors who can book online or via the Professional Shop. At this time (May 2021) the green fees ranged from between £10.00 for Juniors under the age of 18 years and £35.00 for 18 holes for adults. The course also offers a Summer Twilight rate after 4:00pm and County Cards are accepted but check on any terms of use before booking.


Sidmouth's Golf Club sits above the regency town of Sidmouth with a panoramic east and westerly views of Devon and Dorset's Jurassic coastline of Lyme Bay. The course measures 5,127 yards with a combination of short par 4s, 7 challenging par threes and only one par 5 on the 13th hole. This is a course where course management is key and for those golfers who love a short game challenge. It shall seem to play longer than the yardage whatever your handicap.

Axe Cliff Golf Club

Address: Squire's Lane, Seaton EX12 4AB

Pro Shop: 01297 21754 (Yes, 5 digits)


Only 11 miles west along the A3052 from the Sidmouth Golf Club is the Axe Cliff Golf Club. The Axe Cliff Golf Club is located on the cliff tops above the town of Seaton. It is a par 70, 5,913 yard links golf course designed by James Braid. The course has spectacular views across Lyme Bay and the Jurassic Coastline and warmly welcomes visitors who can book online or via the Professional Shop.


At this time (May 2021) the green fees ranged from between £15.00 for Juniors under the age of 16 years and £25.00 for 18 holes for adults. County Cards are accepted but check on any terms of use before booking and no 9 hole rates.


Lyme Regis Golf Club

Address: Timber Hill, Lyme Regis DT7 3HQ

Pro Shop: 01297 442963


Only a 20 minute drive from the Axe Cliff Golf Club along the A3052 heading into the county of Dorset is the Lyme Regis Golf Club a cliff-top parkland course. Founded in 1893 this course not only has panoramic views of Lyme Bay but also views of the 627ft (191m) Golden Cap a great rocky shoulder of deep orange Jurassic and Cretaceous sandstone managed by the National Trust.

The course is a par 71 measuring 6,264 yards and warmly welcomes visitors who can book online or via the Professional Shop. In 2018 hosted the Dorset County Championships and English Girls U16/U14 Amateur Championships. At this time (May 2021) the green fees ranged from between £50.00 for 18 holes and £30.00 from twilight for adults.


Bridport & West Dorset Golf Club

Address: Burton Road, Bridport DT6 4PS

Pro Shop: 01308 421095


Only a 30 minute drive from the Lyme Regis Golf Club along the A35 east across Dorset is the Bridport & West Dorset Golf Club a cliff-top links style golf course.


The Bridport & West Dorset Golf Club is the oldest golf club in Dorset originally founded in 1891. This club has views across Lyme Bay and also along Chesil Beach to Portland. The course is a par 71 measuring 6,213 yards and warmly welcomes visitors who can book online or via the Professional Shop. At this time (May 2021) the Summer green fees ranged from between £24.00 for Juniors under the age of 18 years and £48.00 for 18 holes for adults. Twilight rates are available and County Cards are accepted but check on any terms of use before booking and no 9 hole rates.


This course is also known for its variable winds and changing weather that can make it a challenging course and a test for all levels of golfer.


Weymouth Golf Club

Address: Links Road, Weymouth DT4 0PF

Pro Shop: 01305 750831


Continuing along the A35 for 20 miles passing Chesil Beach heading towards Weymouth is the Weymouth Golf Club a parkland style golf course.


The Weymouth Golf Club is a private members club designed by James Braid and opened in 1909. The course is a par 70 measuring 6,072 yards and warmly welcomes visitors who can book online or via the Professional Shop.


At this time (May 2021) the Summer green fees ranged from between £24.00 for Juniors under the age of 18 years and £48.00 for 18 holes for adults. Twilight rates are available and County Cards are accepted but check on any terms of use before booking and no 9 hole rates.


Isle of Purbeck Golf Club

Address: Corfe Road, Studland, Swanage BH19 3AB

Pro Shop: 01929 450 354


Continuing along the A352 for 30(ish) miles from the Weymouth Golf Club passing through Wool and past the National Trust's Corfe Castle you arrive at the final course in our road trip called the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club.


The Isle of Purbeck's golf club is a heathland style course founded in 1892, once owned by Enid Blyton, designed and influenced by Henry Shapland "Harry" Colt and has consistently included in Golf World's list of the top 100 in Great Britain.


The "Purbeck Course" is the main 18 hole championship par 70 course measuring 6,295 yards situated within a nature reserve designated a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The course rewards the player with a panoramic view of the Dorset coastline and spectacular views looking out over Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island, Bournemouth and the Solent across to the Isle as Wight as well as the Isle of Purbeck. Some key features of this course include the 5th tee situated on a Bronze Age burial ground at over 3000 years old.


At this time (May 2021) the Summer green fees that vary between weekday and weekend ranged from up to £45.00 for Juniors under the age of 18 years and £70.00 for 18 holes for adults. Twilight rates are available and County Cards are accepted but check on any terms of use before booking and no one-ball rates.


The actor Richard Burton once said, “The gladdest moment in human life, me thinks, is a departure into unknown lands.” There are few experiences that inspire the imagination than a road trip and discovering somewhere you’ve never been before. This journey along the Jurassic Coast is not just about scenery but the people, the stories, those moments which are hard to describe to someone who wasn’t there.


Enjoy!


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