Brora

Traditional links course re-designed by James Braid in 1923. Brora Golf Club was established in 1891 and the Club recently celebrated its Centenary. In 1923 James Braid, five times Open Champion and a prolific designer of golf courses, the most famous of which is Gleneagles, visited the course and redesigned the 18 hole layout which has stood the passing of time and remains a fair and challenging test of true links golf. Brora presents all the attributes of the Scottish seaside links, there is bent and gorse - often in full bloom for Golf Week - Juniper and Thyme in profusion. The layout is classic: an easy opening hole, a short hole facing each cardinal point of the compass, a hole you can't reach in two shots (at least not till there has been tuition from Brian Anderson) and the last green under the clubhouse window. The course will ensure that you use every club in the bag, and that you will have to adapt and manufacture according to whether the course is running fast or slow. The greens are renowned for their texture. The ball runs true on the seaside fescue. While pin placements are generous there are lovely swingy borrows on virtually every green. The sand is local and light, aiding recovery, the bunkers strategic but fair. As with all seaside links there are special places, the panorama of seascape and landscape from the second tee, the proximity of the sea to the 9th green, should there be time to bathe your feet. The 13th, is one of the jewels in Braid's crown. Tarbatness, the 17th, so called because of the lighthouse which gives the line. With the elevated tee, this is one of the best driving holes in all Scotland. The rough is negligible in order to facilitate play, you ought to return home with all the golf balls you brought! Overall the golf course is a holiday treat, the clubhouse modern and comfortable, the catering excellent.