Brora Golf Course

James Braid design lovers regard Brora Golf Club as one of his best, which gives you an insight into its class.

Brora Golf Club is revered by James Braid enthusiasts – and the reason that fact is worth mentioning so early is that these devotees of the Scottish architect have so many courses to choose from.

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Braid was a prolific architect and while he has produced many other classic courses, his followers adore Brora.

Brora is a simple but truly excellent Scottish links. On first glance to the ignorant visitor this Highland course might seem fairly ordinary but once you are out on the links you cannot fail but be impressed.

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Indeed that is true as early as the 1st, a short par 4 to a sloping, sheltered green which can be played in many different ways. The 9th is another highlight, a delightful and semi-blind par 3 down to the shore.

On the back nine there are a succession of super two-shotters before the exacting last, whose green slopes from back to front and means anything ‘not up’ will agonisingly trickle back down the fairway and leave an unappetising chip in front of the clubhouse.

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Sheep are part of the greenkeeping staff here – witness the fence that keep them off the putting surface – and that tells you two things. First, this is a course of admirable authenticity – golf as it started out. Second, expect to hit off tightly-grazed fairways. The springy turf is an absolute delight, like the whole of the Brora course itself.

It was under threat around the time of coronavirus but it was notable how quickly Brora was saved; the many hundreds of visitors who play here leave with this links in their heart.

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• Course has: Bar
• Course has: Buggy Hire
• Course does not have: Driving Range
• Course has: Practice Green
• Course has: Pro Shop
• Course has: Restaurant
• Course has: Trolley Hire
• Course has: Dress Code
• Course has: Club Hire
• Course does not have: Handicap

• 4 out of 5 Natural 01 June 2006

  By Anonymous

  A course built using the natural ground. The card belies the challenge, four par 3's one par 5 and then some tough par 4's. A course that will challenge the full handicap range without it becoming a dispiriting occasion for the mid to high handicapper. It is not entirely dependent on the weather for protection, managing your golf game is the challenge. The course gives excellent value for the green fee.

• 4 out of 5 Heavenly 10 December 2005

  By Anonymous

  Golf in its natural form. No manicured fairways and grass cut to an inch. Just aweome in its rawness. Heavenly. Real golf. Play it - it will live in the memory. What golf is all about