Although his name may not be a household fixture outside of golf’s ardent devotees, James Braid’s lasting impact on the game is almost without equal. Braid – along with Harry Vardon and J.H. Taylor – was part of “The Great Triumvirate.” The trio won The Open Championship a combined 16 times in just a 21 year span.
But Braid’s legacy in the game stretches far beyond his collection of Claret Jugs. After his days of competing were over, Braid – who grew up playing the links of Elie near St. Andrews – went on to serve as the head professional at Walton Heath Golf Club near London for some 45 years. What Braid is remembered most for, however, is his prolific career in golf course design. A career that would touch over 200 courses around Great Britain, and some as far away as Singapore. Many of these courses have achieved household name status, even if their architect has not.
James Braid Golf Courses
Here are five of our favorite golf courses designed by the five-time Open champion.
Gleneagles King’s
When the Ryder Cup arrived at Gleneagles in 2014, the host venue was not even the best course on the property. Not by a long shot. That distinction goes to the Kings Course, which James Braid designed ahead of the resort’s opening in 1919. The task of building The Kings was clearly a monumental one, when given the context of it being fashioned without the aid of modern earth-moving equipment. And yet, over 100 years later it is still regarded as both a marvel and arguably the finest inland golf course in Scotland.
Brora Golf Club
About 20 miles north or Royal Dornoch lies a James Braid golf course that in recent years has gone from relative unknown to cult favorite. The Brora Golf Club is a wild and wondrous links golf experience. The ground twists and turns its way in dramatic fashion, sheep and cattle roam freely, and the sea side views of The Highlands are truly sublime. It’s little wonder why Brora is beloved by so many, and why more and more of the H&B Forces are tacking it on to their Scotland golf packages.
Southport & Ainsdale
Gleneagles was not the only Ryder Cup venue crafted in some way by James Braid. Along the shores of England’s Golf Coast, Southport & Ainsdale played host to a pair of Ryder Cups in 1933 and 1937. The latter has retained its place in the history books as the first Ryder Cup won by either team on foreign soil. The course itself remains largely as Braid left it in 1924 and is an enjoyable pairing with the Royal neighbors in the Southport area.
Carnoustie Golf Links
Carnoustie is often regarded as the first course at least partially designed by another legendary Open winner: Old Tom Morris. It wasn’t until James Braid arrived in the 1920s, however, that Carnoustie truly became Carnoustie. Almost no hole was left untouched in the process and the end result was a course ready for its first Open Championship. The rest, as they say, is history. Carnoustie has gone on to host the Claret Jug on eight occasions, and is regarded by most to be the most difficult course on The Open rota.
Lundin Golf Club
Perhaps no golf course on the globe has a story as unique as that of Lundin Links. After the course was severed in two, with half the holes being given to the Leven Golf Club next door, James Braid was hired to complete what remained of the Lundin Golf Club. The end result is a course that’s equal parts seaside links and parkland in style. One moment you’re swinging next to the crashing waves, the next you’re strolling among the peaceful pines. It’s a delightful combination, and showcases perhaps more than any other Braid’s versatility as a golf course designer.
Although his name may not match Jones or Hogan or Hagen in terms of notoriety, after one trip across the pond, the work of James Braid is likely to find top of mind status in your memory bank.
Discover More of Golf at its Finest with H&B
