Ashley Wood Golf Club was built by Sir William Henry Smith-Marriott in 1896 after becoming bored with the usual leisure activities of the day. Ashley Wood was the fifth Golf Club to be formed in Dorset, following Bridport 1891, Isle of Purbeck 1892, Lyme Regis 1893 and Sherborne 1894. The course was 2642 yards in length consisting of nine holes complete with grass bunkers. The course was laid out over historic countryside, including Buzbury Rings, an ancient ring fort, tumuli and defensive dykes all of which dated back to pre-Roman times. These ancient remains were incorporated into the layout in various ways and without doubt added to the difficulty of the course.