Bowood Golf Course is a challenging parkland layout set within the beautiful Bowood Estate near Calne. Designed by former Ryder Cup player and renowned architect Dave Thomas, the course opened in 1992 and is now the PGA Official Golf Course and Academy for the South West.

The par-72 course can be stretched to more than 7,200 yards, although its range of tees makes it suitable for golfers of different abilities. Rolling Wiltshire countryside, mature woodland, streams and carefully positioned water hazards shape the playing experience. Generous-looking fairways often narrow in the ideal landing areas, while bunkering and sloping greens place a premium on accurate approaches.

Bowood’s signature 8th hole is an excellent example of the course’s strategic character. This demanding par four turns sharply around woodland, with water protecting the left side and a small two-tier green waiting at the end. The closing hole provides another strong finish, combining a right-hand dogleg, fairway bunkers, water within reach of longer hitters and a difficult multi-level green.

Visitors also have access to comprehensive practice facilities. These include a floodlit covered driving range, short-game and putting areas, a nine-hole Academy Course and a performance studio with golf simulator technology. PGA coaching, club hire and custom fitting are available, while the Clubhouse Bar provides a relaxed setting after your round.

For a longer break, Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort offers accommodation, dining and an impressive spa within the same estate. This makes the course particularly convenient for golf groups, couples and mixed parties looking to combine championship golf with a peaceful Wiltshire escape.