Brokenhurst Manor

Brokenhurst Manor is yet another course in the south of England where the work of the legendary Harry Colt shines through.

Opened in the 1910s, the club has recently celebrated its centenary, and it is a glorious woodland and heathland layout.

Although not the longest course in the country, there is a stretch of holes around the turn that will really test every aspect of your game.

Visit the Brokenhurst Manor website here. 

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The history of Brokenhurst Manor is more than a century long, with the club being founded in the 1910s, around the time of the First World War.

The course was designed by the great Harry Colt, one of the all-time greats in golf course architecture.

The 1931 Ryder Cup team played a 36-hole competition at the venue before setting sail to the United States from Southampton.

Two well-known Englishmen – Justin Rose and Richard Bland – are the course record holders, both having shot 63 around Brokenhurst Manor.

With it being so close to the New Forest, it is perhaps no surprise that the course at Brokenhurst Manor is a woodland delight. The layout also has heathland properties, providing some glorious views and looks throughout a round. At just 6,240 yards, Brokenhurst is not the longest golf course in the world, but there are plenty of challenges that lie in wait on this par 70 design from Harry Colt.

There is a little bit of everything through the first five holes at Brokenhurst. The opener is gentle, to allow you to settle into your round. At just 311 yards off the back tees, if you can avoid the two fairway bunkers, then there is a good chance of getting your round underway with a birdie. At 500 yards, the par 5 2nd doesn’t sound too troubling. However, playing as a dog-leg right around the boundary of the property, with a lengthy carry required to find the fairway, and then with a ditch running across in front of the green, there is plenty to watch out for. Both 3 and 5 are short holes, with the 3rd playing over water to a long and narrow green. The 5th is 30 yards shorter, downhill to a green surrounded by four large bunkers. In between is the par 4 4th, another hole that dog-legs right around the property boundary. Finding the fairway is the key here.

The 6th is a gentle 315 yards, and another where a birdie is on the cards if you can find the fairway. That might be the last chance for some time though, as it gets much tougher around the turn. 7 is 375 yards, and although arrow straight, there is a narrow landing zone for your drive. The 8th and 9th bring the front nine to a close with a bang. Both are long par 4s, of more than 450 yards each. The former has a large cross bunker in the fairway that must be avoided, while the final hole of the front side is narrow, and with a split fairway. Play short of the split and you’ve got a lengthy approach to the putting surface, one that is guarded by two bunkers and a large tree at the back.

It doesn’t get any easier at Brokenhurst as you move into the back nine. The 10th is a par 3 of some 210 yards, with 11 being another par 4 of more than 400 yards. Two fairway bunkers down the left side are the trouble, along with the thick trees lining the right side. A path runs across the hole 30 yards from the green, but it should cause no harm. The last of the par 3s comes early, at the 12th. It is 170 yards, but plays over two streams, a large water hazard and to a green guarded by two sand traps. The 13th is then the hardest hole on the back nine. Playing as a sharp dog-leg left, the tee shot must reach the corner for you to see the green. However, there is a bunker that has been strategically placed on that corner to scoop up any errant tee shots.

14 and 15 are much shorter, with the former at 290 yards, while the 15th is only 320 yards. Both offer good scoring opportunities but require accurate drives with thick trees lining both sides of the fairways. The 16th is the only par 5 on the back nine, and at 513 yards, it is the longest hole on the property. A ditch runs across the fairway halfway down, but that should not really come into play if you can get a good drive away. With three bunkers guarding the green, this might well be a layup job before hitting a wedge to the putting surface. 17 is a tough par 4 of some 440 yards, and playing as a dog-leg right around plenty of trouble. A long carry is required to find the diagonally angled fairway, which will then provide you with a view of the green. The closing hole is only 333 yards, but the trees in front of the green mean you must find the left side of the fairway to have the optimal line in. Not the longest closing hole, and certainly not the easiest.

Where is Brokenhurst Manor located?

Brokenhurst Manor is one of the southernmost venues in the country, located halfway between the cities of Bournemouth and Southampton on the south coast of England. It is located just south of the New Forest National Park, and just a few miles from the coast of the English Channel. The A337 runs by the club, taking visitors from the north via the A31 and M27.

The town of Brockenhurst has its own train station, which is a mile from the golf club. Services run via Brockenhurst between London Waterloo and Bournemouth, with other services visiting Weymouth and Poole, and Winchester. The nearest airport to Brokenhurst Manor is Southampton Airport, 20 miles to the northeast of the venue. London Heathrow and London Gatwick – the two busiest airports in the United Kingdom – are both within a two-hour drive to the east.

Are there any NCG Top 100s: England venues nearby?

There are several Hampshire-based venues on the NCG Top 100s: England list, with the likes of Parkstone, Broadstone, Ferndown (Old), Isle of Purbeck and Remedy Oak all within an hour’s drive to the west. In the opposite direction, the likes of Stoneham and Hayling are within the same time frame.

What golf facilities does Brokenhurst Manor offer?

There is no excuse for not being warmed up prior to a round at Brokenhurst, with some incredible practice facilities on offer. There is a driving range alongside the 18th hole, along with five practice hitting nets (three inside and two outside). There is also a wonderful short game area that was opened in 2015, along with a large putting green in front of the clubhouse.

What are the green fees at Brokenhurst Manor?

The price of a green fee at Brokenhurst Manor changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at Brokenhurst Manor, visit their website here.

Visit the Brokenhurst Manor website here. 

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage.