Chapter 04 takes us to Ferndown.
Played in May 2026, Ferndown was a course we had been looking forward to visiting for some time. A regular feature among England’s Top 100 courses, it carries the sort of reputation built over generations rather than seasons.
Some clubs try to create an identity.
Ferndown already has one.
From the moment you arrive, there is a sense of tradition and understated class. The clubhouse, the surroundings and the atmosphere all reflect a club comfortable in its own history. Nothing feels forced. Nothing feels like it is trying too hard. It simply feels like a proper golf club.
Out on the course, that same feeling continues.
Set among the Dorset heathland, Ferndown is a classic example of timeless golf course design. Towering pines, natural heather and beautifully shaped fairways create a setting that feels both peaceful and challenging. The course doesn’t rely on dramatic features to make an impression. Instead, it allows the quality of the layout and the condition of the golf course to speak for itself.
And the condition is exceptional.
From the opening tee shot to the final green, every detail feels carefully considered. The fairways are beautifully presented, the greens are immaculate and the entire course carries a level of care that reflects the standards expected of a club with such a proud history.
What makes Ferndown special is its subtlety.
It is not a course that needs to shout.
The challenge comes through thoughtful design, strategic bunkering and the need to place the ball in the right positions. Good shots are rewarded, but careless decisions are quickly punished. It is a course that asks questions throughout the round and encourages you to think rather than simply hit.
The beauty of Ferndown is in the details.
The way the holes sit naturally within the landscape. The contrast between the golden heathland and deep green fairways. The feeling that generations of golfers have walked the same paths, faced the same challenges and created their own memories here.
For LOFT 312, Ferndown represents something slightly different from the courses that came before it.
Ferndown impresses through tradition.
It is a reminder that great golf courses do not need to reinvent themselves. Sometimes the greatest compliment you can give a club is that it has stayed true to what it has always been.
Timeless design. Proud traditions. Exceptional golf.
Chapter 04 complete.
Next stop: The Springs