​Brora Golf Club

Brora Golf Club was founded in 1891, originally 9 holes the course was extended to 18 about 10 years later. In 1923 the committee invited the renowned course architect and golfer, James Braid was to visit. This he did in February 1924, arriving by train, walking around the course and departing later the same day. For the princely sum of £25 Braid submitted his plan and the course which exists today was born. There have been very few changes to the layout proposed by Braid, the only minor alteration extended the 11th hole by 53 yards to convert it to a par 5 and the course overall to a par 70.

Brora is unique in many ways, not least because we share the land with the local crofting community who have a historic right to graze livestock on the course. Sheep and cattle wander freely around the course, whilst unobtrusive single strand electric fences protect the greens from damage. Over the years this relationship has helped to maintain the rough at playable heights, but woe betide the golfer who thinks it is wide open. Like all great architects Braid has made clever use of bunkering and subtle changes in angles to protect the greens. With the maintenance practices preparing firm surfaces they become almost impossible to hold from out of the rough. Although recent warm and wet summers have helped the rough to thicken up, the club and its greenkeeping team are committed to retaining the playing characteristics at Brora and plan to thin the rough out where necessary.

 

Brora is a traditional out and back links, the ninth green sitting at the furthest point from the clubhouse. Even with this layout Braid has managed to get each of the four par threes to play in a different direction. The ninth and eighteenth play north and south while the sixth and thirteenth play east and west and it is perhaps a little unusual that each nine ends with a par three, the eighteenth at 201 yards uphill to a green with a false front and a severe swale in front is particularly challenging. The members and visitors watching your trials and tribulations from the clubhouse overlooking the green do nothing to add to your sense of wellbeing.

Located just 20 minutes from the well known course at Dornoch, Brora has many regular visitors who make the long journey north to play this spectacularly scenic gem. Why not join them.

Location Map

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