Crane Valley Golf Club

Crane Valley Golf Club's Valley Course sits in the heathland landscape near Verwood in East Dorset, designed by James Braid and opened in the 1920s. The course occupies gently rolling terrain characteristic of the Dorset-Hampshire border region, where sandy soils and natural drainage support traditional heathland golf. Braid, one of the Great Triumvirate alongside Harry Vardon and J.H. Taylor, designed numerous courses across Britain during his prolific architectural career, typically favoring strategic bunkering and routing that worked naturally with existing landforms. The Valley Course plays through corridors of heather, gorse, and mature trees, with fairways that reward positioning and approach play rather than pure length. The layout features the undulating lies and firm turf conditions typical of heathland golf, where the ball runs and bounces require thoughtful club selection. Several holes incorporate elevation changes that add visual interest and strategic variety to the round. Crane Valley operates as a members' club with visitor access, maintaining the traditional heathland character through careful course management. The club also features a shorter Woodland Course that provides an alternative layout on the property. The setting remains relatively quiet and rural, offering a contrast to more developed areas of southern England while remaining accessible to golfers from Bournemouth, Poole, and the surrounding region.