Over the last two decades, Brora Golf Club has gone from a relatively unknown course in The Highlands of Scotland to a must-play for many American golf travelers.
The transformation is of little surprise to us. We’ve been singing the praises of Brora and it’s delightful James Braid designed golf course for years.
Although more Americans embarking on Scottish golf trips are wisely pairing Brora with Royal Dornoch and Castle Stuart, the course is still a mystery to many.
If this sounds familiar, here’s a preview of what awaits at Brora Golf Club.
1st tee
The opening tee shot at Brora Golf Club sets the stage for a special day ahead. From the clubhouse, the path to the 1st hole runs steeply downhill, then climbs back up to the tee. Excitement builds with every step. And for good reason. Once at the tee, the greeting is modest. But the view, as you can see, is unforgettable.
Assistant Greenskeepers
Nothing defines Brora Golf Club more than the band of assistant greenskeepers that diligently tend to its rough and fairways. We’re speaking, of course, of the sheep and other livestock that call the course home. The livestock are allowed to roam the links thanks to an old agreement with local farmers. We’d say the arrangement is a win-win. The livestock have plenty of room to roam free and the course gets some low-cost maintenance in return.
But if you’re wondering about the greens or “casual water,” Brora has both of those concerns covered. Each of the 18 greens is encircled with a wire electric fence and a local rule allows for a free drop from droppings.
Photo courtesy of Brora Golf Club
9th Hole
The collection of par-3s at Brora Golf Club are truly unforgettable. At the far end of the links, the 9th hole is a perfect example. The hole measures to just 160-yards from the back tees, though it can play considerably longer if the wind is up. The hills of the Scottish Highlands form a stunning backdrop to the green, as the sea laps the shore up the right side. And yet, the par-3s at Brora are so wonderful, the 9th may be outranked in your mind by two others.
13th Hole
The links at Brora is a mostly out and back affair, with the opening 9-holes running away from the clubhouse and the inward half returning to it. With one small, and notable, exception.
At just 125-yards from the back tee, the 13th is another of Brora’s exceptional par-3s. But unlike the rest of the course, the 13th plays directly towards the sea. When the gales are howling, the meandering burn–that should be of little concern–is suddenly right in play. It’s the quintet of bunkers, however, that will most likely force you to earn your three.
18th Hole
The closing hole at Brora Golf Club is as unique as the rest of the course. And yes, it’s another par-3. But if we’re starting to sound like a broken record, rest assured that there are some delightful par-4s and par-5s throughout the links.
The 18th hole measures to nearly 200-yards and plays to an elevated green. When it plays into the wind, the tee shot may require everything you have in your bag. As a result, the common miss is short of the green, where a hollow presents a tough up and down. Especially with all of the watchful eyes in the clubhouse looking on.
Photo courtesy of Brora Golf Club
Clubhouse
The round at Brora is the kind of thing that you’ll want to hang around and talk about over a glass of your favorite beverage. The clubhouse bar on the 2nd floor is the perfect place. It also happens to feature one of the best views in Scottish golf.
Photo courtesy of Brora Golf Club
Dunrobin Castle
If you embrace our mantra that your time off the golf course in Scotland is just as valuable to the experience as your time on it, Dunrobin Castle is a perfect pairing with your round at Brora. Dunrobin has been the seat of the Earls of Sutherland since the 1300s, and is one of the longest continuously inhabited castles in Britain. The interior is stunning. The gardens, even more so. Like Brora, to say it’s worth your time in The Highlands would be an understatement.
For more insight on planning your golf trip to Scotland, visit the pages below or have a look through our Yardage Book, where you’ll find answers to many of our most frequently asked questions.
If you’re ready to experience Golf at its Finest with Haversham & Baker…
Discover More of Golf at its Finest with H&B
