Sherborne – Golf Course Review

Golfer’s Tips

• The second hole is obviously early in the round to attempt bombing driver, but perhaps there is an argument to do so for the longer hitter. The banks on either side of the fairway will limit the miss for any errant shots, and the firmness and camber of the hole does play into the bold strategy.
• Favour the left-hand side of the fairway on the challenging 5th hole – there are no prizes for trying to cut the corner of the dogleg, given that the trees surrounding the green encroach further on the right-hand side and thus obstruct any approach from this flank.
• The carry over the hedge and scrub area from the elevated 16th tee is around 210 yards. Any tee shot that endangers this length should obviously be played left onto the adjoined fairway, leaving a mid-iron approach, but longer hitters can hit straight over the tallest tree, with a relatively wide landing area, leaving a wedge in.

Signature Holes

• 9th – a medium length part three played over and around a valley, with a steep hill running right to left. Anything left of the green is almost certain death, so favouring the higher ground is almost certainly the play. A very nice setting for a testing par 3.
• 14th – a beautifully framed short downhill part four. Playing from an elevated tee box down to the fairway nestled between wood thickets on either side, the undulating fairway works its way up to a green picturesquely framed by mature trees.

Review:

Beyond the heathland classics that rightly take top billing in Dorset, Sherborne offers a pretty parkland contrast.

Located on lush undulating countryside, with delightful views of the rolling Somerset and Dorset countryside from many vantage points, this is a quaint club but a proper setup. Practice facilities are very decent, and approaching the nicely appointed 1st tee, complete with starter’s hut, you get the feeling that the round will be a pleasant one.

Starting with several relatively straightforward par 4s, the 2nd hole brings with it the countryside panorama as a backdrop, with the hole turning down the hill and the fairway acting as a runway between banks on either side. Back-and-forth fairways make certain misses feel less punitive, but the trees between holes are mature and provide a barrier to going for the green with your second shot in many cases.

The fifth is a testing par 4, upping the ante after the relatively gentle start – the fairway turning gently to the right with the second shot to be angled to a green tucked within a copse of trees that encroaches on the right-hand side. This hole is then followed by a nice par 5 that turns in the opposite direction, with an attractive downhill approach to a green protected by bunkers short left and right, offering the pretty view beyond, and then the 7th is the first (and perhaps the least inspiring) of the par 3s, which are a real strength of the course.

The course utilises the elevation changes provided by the landscape, and makes the most of the relatively small plot. Holes can feel a touch on top of each other at times, plenty of fore shouts to be heard on a busy afternoon, but it does not detract from what is a very pleasant round. Fast greens run superbly, but those that sit in prominent spots on a hill are baked and are therefore particularly brisk.

Arguably, the best stretch of holes is through the middle section, but at the same time feels a touch claustrophobic due to their proximity and crisscrossing nature. The ninth is an excellent yet challenging par 3 played over a valley, and then next up is a somewhat daunting tee shot back over the same valley with guarding trees right, which guide you to the left fairway, where there is room. 

The last section of the course starts from the 12th, back in front of the clubhouse again, and beyond this is another fine section from 14 through to 16. The 14th is a fantastic short par 4 played down through mature trees, 15 is another fine par 3 played over a valley to a green with bank behind and bunkers at the front, and then the 16th is a good downhill par 4 played from a raised tee, albeit awkwardly impacted by the relatively benign 17th coming back on a shared fairway, which somewhat spoils the flow and feel of the finishing section.

Overall, the feeling at Sherborne is one of a very pleasing experience on a piece of land that has maximised its potential – perhaps not going to blow your socks off, but a well put-together course that offers challenge and interest.

• “Top 100” Ranking: 6th (Dorset)
• Golfer View Rating: 65%

https://www.sherbornegolfclub.co.uk

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