Brora Golf Club is situated just twenty-five minutes north of Royal Dornoch and is one of the most northerly links courses, not only in Scotland but Europe. Founded in 1891, Brora Golf Club has been laid out as nine-holes by architect John Sutherland by 1897. It remained untouched for twenty-seven years until James Braid was invited to view the course by the committee, and for the sum of £25, submitted plans for a 194 acre, 18-hole layout, and the work was duly undertaken. Brora is an out and back eighteen holes, making the turn at the 10th tee box. The first nine is played along the coastline of Kintradwell Bay, and the sea breeze is evident throughout. The inward nine is played with the course boundary permanently on your left, including the railway line for most of the 10th hole. The entire course is framed against the beautiful backdrop of Southerland foothills in the distance.
Brora Golf Club doesn’t have the imposing dunes of some of its Scottish peers, but as with any Braid design, the challenge is no less. As for the Pro’s favorite hole, well we especially love the opening hole at Brora. This short par four of no more than 297yards is a beautiful dogleg hole played over an imposing fairway bunker to a narrow fairway that amounts to no more than 25yards in width. The bunker-less green does, however, comprise a series of subtle swales and hollows that can turn par to bogey in the blink of an eye.
The closing hole at Brora, “Home Hole,” is likely its most famous. The par three 18th at just over 200yards in length provides an intimidating finish. The high bank on the right creates an almost stadium-like setting that requires a well-struck shot to avoid not only the three green-side bunkers but also any scrutiny from the clubhouse just a short distance beyond.
Brora is a fabulous track and should be considered when heading for the Highlands to play. It, and the triumvirate of Royal Dornoch, Castle Stuart and Nairn are well worth a golf vacation alone to Scotland but can be combined with many other excellent courses in that part of Scotland. Let the Consummate Pro take you there.
