Golf

The South Coast is one of England’s finest places to play golf. Ancient woodland, sweeping heathland, dramatic coastal views and a pace of life that makes the whole trip feel like a proper escape — it’s the kind of destination that stays with you long after the final putt.

What makes the region so special is the variety. From historic heathland courses where New Forest ponies still roam freely across the fairways, to modern championship layouts designed by some of the game’s most celebrated architects, there’s something here to test and delight every golfer. And when you’re not on the course, our holiday cottages in the New Forest and Hampshire give you a genuinely beautiful base to come back to.

At Short Stay Homes, we go further than simply finding you a great place to stay. Our team can handle everything: tee times at your preferred courses (often at preferential rates), transport between venues, catering at your property and evening restaurant bookings – so you can focus entirely on your game.

When to visit

The New Forest offers great golf throughout the year. The south coast generally enjoys milder weather than much of the UK, and most courses remain open and playable even in winter.

Season	Avg temp	Rainfall	Course conditions	Booking demand
Spring (Apr–May)	9–15°C	Moderate	Excellent	Moderate
Summer (Jun–Aug)	15–22°C	Low	Very Good	High – book early
Autumn (Sep–Oct)	10–18°C	Moderate	Good	Moderate
Winter (Nov–Mar)	4–10°C	Higher	Variable	Low – best value

Spring and autumn hit a real sweet spot — courses are in excellent condition, the forests look stunning and visitor numbers are refreshingly manageable. Summer is the most popular time so it’s worth booking tee times and accommodation well in advance, especially for larger groups. Winter rewards those willing to brave the weather with lower green fees and plenty of availability.

Hamptworth Golf Club

Bramshaw Golf Club

Right in the heart of the New Forest, a perfect setting for a golf course and only a 10 minute drive from our Fordingbridge properties. The original New Forest course started life in 1865 and was built for the entertainment of the weekend guests of Philip de Crespigny. Reported to be the oldest golf course in Hampshire, keep up the long tradition and book yourself a round.

Dudsbury Golf Club

 

New Forest Golf Club

Founded in 1888 and nestled on the outskirts of Lyndhurst, New Forest Golf Club is one of the most characterful courses in the south of England. Don’t be surprised to find yourself sharing the fairway with grazing ponies — the club considers them unofficial groundskeepers, and they’re part of what makes a round here feel genuinely different from anywhere else.

The course presents a classic heathland challenge, with natural hazards and subtly contoured greens that reward thoughtful club selection over brute force. Visitors are warmly welcomed, with daily green fees available. Booking ahead is recommended in summer.

Bramshaw Golf Club

Home to two very different courses, Bramshaw is a genuine New Forest institution. The Forest Course — built on common land around 1865 — is considered the oldest golf course in Hampshire. Cattle, ponies and deer still roam freely across the fairways, with the greens carefully fenced off to keep them in play. It’s a one-off experience.

The Manor Course offers a more modern test, with water hazards and strategic bunkering throughout. And midway through your round, keep an ear out for the famous tuck truck — a mobile snack service that somehow makes the back nine feel even better.

Hamptworth Golf & Country Club

An 18-hole par 72 layout stretching to 6,500 yards from the back tees, Hamptworth sits on the northern edge of the New Forest and welcomes visitors on a pay-and-play basis — no membership required. The naturally beautiful setting provides both scenic backdrop and strategic challenge in equal measure, and the club’s Crazy Putting Challenge is a great option if you’ve got a mixed-ability group or family in tow.

Accommodation for golf groups

A great golf break starts with the right place to stay. Our properties range from cosy cottages ideal for a foursome to large country houses that comfortably accommodate a full society trip. Browse all of our holiday cottages in the New Forest, or take a look at a few of our most popular properties for golfing groups below.

All of our golf-friendly properties are chosen with groups in mind:

• Ample parking for multiple vehicles — no squeezing golf bags into a tiny car park
• Multiple bathrooms so mornings run smoothly before early tee times
• Spacious living areas for evening relaxation, match analysis and a well-earned drink
• Hot tubs to soothe tired muscles after a long day on the course
• Games rooms and outdoor space for when the golf’s done
• Reliable Wi-Fi for checking course layouts and locking in tee times on the go

Forest Drove Cottage

Forest Drove Cottage sleeps up to 20 guests and comes with ample parking for multiple vehicles — making it a natural choice for society trips and larger groups. Its central New Forest location puts you within easy reach of courses on both sides of the forest.

Arniss Lodge

Arniss Lodge offers luxury accommodation for up to 10 guests, with a private tennis court for additional sporting activity and extensive grounds that are perfect for an impromptu putting competition the evening before your round. Also see Arniss (sleeps up to 20) if you have a larger group.

Mews Hill Lodge

Mews Hill Lodge sleeps up to 13 guests in real comfort. The generous open-plan living space is made for post-round socialising — a relaxed, stylish base that makes the evenings as enjoyable as the rounds.

Looking for something specific? Visit our full property listings or get in touch and we’ll match you with the right place for your group.

SECTION 6 — Short Stay Homes bespoke golf service (new section — add in full)

Our bespoke golf break service

What sets Short Stay Homes apart is our commitment to handling the details so you don’t have to. Beyond finding you the perfect property, our team will take care of everything that makes a golf trip run smoothly. Take a look at our activities and guest discounts page for the full picture of what we can arrange.

We can help with:

• Tee times at your preferred courses, often at preferential rates
• Transport between your accommodation and the courses
• Welcome hampers filled with local produce and breakfast essentials
• Pre-prepared meals delivered to your property — ready and waiting when you get back (see our extra food options)
• Private chef services for celebration dinners
• Barbecue packages for relaxed outdoor evenings
• Restaurant bookings at our favourite local spots — see our dining recommendations
• Activities for non-golfing companions, so everyone has a great time
• Sports and recreation extras — browse our sports & recreation page

Whether you want a fully arranged long weekend or simply someone to handle the tee times while you sort the rest, we’re happy to help as much or as little as you like.

Sample Itineraries

Weekend golf break — 2 nights

Friday

• Arrive at your Short Stay Homes property and get settled in
• Evening meal delivered to your accommodation
• Relaxed evening planning the weekend’s golf

Saturday

• Morning round at Bramshaw Golf Club — the Forest Course with its free-roaming wildlife is a must
• Lunch at the clubhouse
• Afternoon round at Hamptworth Golf & Country Club
• Private chef dinner back at your accommodation

Sunday

• Morning round at New Forest Golf Club — a classic heathland finish to the weekend
• Late checkout and head home

Extended golf tour — 4 to 5 days

With more time to play with, a longer break opens up the full picture. Combine the best of the New Forest’s own courses with a round at Parkstone, Ferndown or the exclusive Remedy Oak for a genuinely varied tour of some of southern England’s finest golf. Our activities and guest discounts page has more inspiration for filling the rest of the trip.

Our team will put together a custom itinerary based on your group’s preferences, playing ability and budget. Just get in touch and we’ll do the rest.

Book your New Forest golf break

Whether you’re organising a competitive society trip, a relaxed few days with friends or a special celebration combining great golf with luxury cottage accommodation, we’d love to help make it happen.

Get in touch with our team to start planning. We’ll find the right property, sort the tee times and handle all the details — so you can concentrate on what matters.

Call us: 01425 517 311

Email: enquiries@shortstayhomes.co.uk

We recommend booking early — particularly for peak summer availability and larger groups needing multiple tee times at the same course. You can also check our last minute deals if your dates are flexible.