Sturminster Marshall

Par 64 layouts often get dismissed before a player even sets foot on the first tee, but Sturminster Marshall makes a compelling case for the short game. With the majority of holes playing as par 3s and short par 4s, the course rewards precision and course management over raw power — a format that suits the village setting and the unhurried rhythm of the Dorset countryside.

Sturminster Marshall sits in the Stour Valley, a stretch of rural Dorset where the river winds through water meadows and ancient farmland. It's quiet, agricultural England at its most characteristic — far from the resort circuits and well off the radar of visiting golfers chasing famous names. That anonymity is part of the appeal. The local golf scene here is rooted in community rather than prestige.

For beginners, returning players, or anyone looking to play a relaxed round without a 6,500-yard slog, a course like this fills an important role. Expect a green and gentle landscape, manageable for walkers, and the kind of afternoon where the golf almost plays second fiddle to the surroundings.