A pictorial: Brora!!!

« **on:** June 14, 2009, 01:06:03 PM »

While Brora will never contend on any list of the U.K.’s finest courses, it harbors a certain timeless magic that every golfer would do well to experience. The course is most famous for its continuing practice of using livestock to maintain the roughs (electric fences keep the sheep away from putting surfaces). Beyond that, the course strikes me as perhaps the purest example of minimalism that I’ve witnesses in golf course architecture. It truly appears as if someone merely mowed a few tee boxes and greens, posted a few directional poles, and opened their fields for the enjoyment of the golfing public. There are a number of blind shots, and the individual holes are not all distinctly memorable. But, that being said, as a whole the course provides a surprisingly high level of conditioning, shot values, and intrinsic beauty combined with very reasonable greens fee structure for visitors.

As Brora has been covered on this website in its own featured profile and a number of threads both recent and ancient, I will refrain from microanalysis. Also, I played this course in conditions rather unsuitable for attaining the best images. Thus, the following depictions have been distilled from my archive to provide a small taste of personal experience.

I decided to post each image individually to allow for scrolling, as the GCA website does not currently support large images.

FYI: My other pictorial threads from this trip can be viewed at the following links:
Royal Dornoch http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40107.0/
Brora http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40120.0/
Golspie http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40126.0/
The Castle Course http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40204.0/
Murcar http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40281.0/
Crail: Craigshead & Balcombie http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40325.0/
Lundin Links http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40387.0/
Muirfield http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40439.0/
Cruden Bay http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40565.0/
Gleneagles - Kings Course http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40675.0/
St. Andrews - Old Course http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,40696.0/
Gullane #1 & #2 http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41085.0/
Panmure http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41122.0/
Gleneagles - Queens Course http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41152.0/
Kingsbarns http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41184.0/
Royal Aberdeen - Balgownie Links http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41498.0/
Carnoustie – Championship Course http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,41834.0/
North Berwick - West Links http://golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,42104.0/

*not featured: Nairn, Eden, New, Castle Stuart (tour)

Enjoy!

The 1st Tee does well to establish the setting and by-laws that dictate the Brora experience.

« **Reply #1 on:** June 14, 2009, 01:06:27 PM »

The 2nd tee provides plenty of visibility on this shot par 4 (don’t get used to that!) and continues down the beach. The course never strays far from the sea until the 10th tee, which marks the return journey composed entirely of inland holes.

« **Reply #2 on:** June 14, 2009, 01:06:50 PM »

After a semi-blind tee shot at the 3rd , a stern par 4 of 447 yards, the fairway is interrupted by a small ridge that may affect the long approach shot, as may the swale just before the green.

« **Reply #3 on:** June 14, 2009, 01:07:09 PM »

Another semi-blind drive at the 325 yard 4th leaves a pitch to the green. This hole should yield an easy birdie to the expert player, if he/she can properly read the subtle breaks on the green.

« **Reply #4 on:** June 14, 2009, 01:07:35 PM »

The 6th hole is the first of the par 3s, and probably my favorite hole on the course. It plays to 174 yards from the medal tees, with the green tilted from back to front.

« **Reply #5 on:** June 14, 2009, 01:07:55 PM »

This view from the 7th tee shows the right side of the 6th and reveals some of the undulations in and around the green.

« **Reply #6 on:** June 14, 2009, 01:08:17 PM »

The 9th plays about 10 yards shorter than the 6th, and brings the course right to the sea. The green is raised slightly on the left and right, helping to funnel slight misses into the center.

« **Reply #7 on:** June 14, 2009, 01:08:38 PM »

Looking back to the 9th and the maintenance staff from the 10th tee as the course turns homeward.

« **Reply #8 on:** June 14, 2009, 01:08:56 PM »

An elevated tee shot at the 11th is best-played short of the broken ground and burn found around 250 yards out. The depth of the burn is reflected by the directional pole behind the green that lies 145 yards from the end of the fairway. Another maintenance worker inspects the burn crossing.

« **Reply #9 on:** June 14, 2009, 01:09:18 PM »

The elegant 13th continues Brora’s chain of excellent 1-shotters.

« **Reply #10 on:** June 14, 2009, 01:09:35 PM »

Looking back at the 14th, one can see the directional pole at the crest of a hill that must be played over and the electrified fence that surrounds the green to keep the sheep at bay.

« **Reply #11 on:** June 14, 2009, 01:09:53 PM »

The 15th should play shorter than the medal tee’s stated yardage of 430 yards, as the drive plays over the down slope just beyond where this photo was taken (note the bell at right).

« **Reply #12 on:** June 14, 2009, 01:10:09 PM »

From the 16th tee, the hole plays steadily uphill. The flag is being removed two groups ahead on the horizon.

« **Reply #13 on:** June 14, 2009, 01:10:29 PM »

The 17th hole plays to 438 yards, its fairway split by a shaggy mound 230 yards out. From there a long approach is played uphill to a flat but smallish green relative to the length of the approach.

In its entirety, Brora may fall a bit short in testing highly skilled players with modern equipment. But no other course in my experience can surpass its charm. It truly exudes the very soul of golf.

« **Reply #14 on:** June 14, 2009, 01:59:44 PM »

Kyle,

Thanks for taking us along on your wonderful journey!

« **Reply #15 on:** June 14, 2009, 03:40:10 PM »

What a trip you had. Glad you included the photo of the maintenance staff at work.

I want to play Brora right now!

« **Reply #16 on:** June 15, 2009, 03:27:44 AM »

Quote from: John Mayhugh on June 14, 2009, 03:40:10 PM

What a trip you had. Glad you included the photo of the maintenance staff at work.

I want to play Brora right now!

"Just go, man." - Lloyd Christmas

« **Reply #17 on:** June 15, 2009, 09:38:34 AM »

Kyle,

Great pictures on here, and the Dornoch and Golspie threads also! I used to holiday in the area when I was younger so these bring back great memories. Hopefully next year I may get up there again? I agree that the 6th is probably my favourite hole on the course, but a shame you didn't have a picture of the 5th as thats a great hole also!

Looks like you had a great trip and look forward to seeing your other photos as they get posted...

Cheers,

James

« **Reply #18 on:** June 15, 2009, 06:45:04 PM »

Quote from: James Boon on June 15, 2009, 09:38:34 AM

Kyle,

Great pictures on here, and the Dornoch and Golspie threads also! I used to holiday in the area when I was younger so these bring back great memories. Hopefully next year I may get up there again? I agree that the 6th is probably my favourite hole on the course, but a shame you didn't have a picture of the 5th as thats a great hole also!

Looks like you had a great trip and look forward to seeing your other photos as they get posted...

Cheers,

James

Here you go, James.

5th tee shot played over marker pole

... but hopefully short of the burn, leaving a mid to long iron up the hill (the flag can be seen behind the hillock just inside the right edge of the fairway).

« **Reply #19 on:** June 15, 2009, 07:22:15 PM »

love the look of this place. Looks like a TON of fun...

« **Reply #20 on:** June 15, 2009, 09:05:56 PM »

I have been close on several occasions but never played it. Should I be ashamed?

Anthony

« **Reply #21 on:** June 15, 2009, 09:23:16 PM »

Anthony,

One less CB and one more Brora= a more fulfilled and enriched AG.

Chris
And I really LOVE CB

« **Reply #22 on:** June 16, 2009, 02:40:44 AM »

We could use some of those sheep at Lincoln... They're not running scared either

Very nice indeed + the low fog coming in. Just like back in SF.

Was the bump and run doable here?

Thanks Captain!

« **Reply #23 on:** June 16, 2009, 12:22:32 PM »

Quote from: Patrick Kiser on June 16, 2009, 02:40:44 AM

We could use some of those sheep at Lincoln... They're not running scared either

Very nice indeed + the low fog coming in. Just like back in SF.

Was the bump and run doable here?

Thanks Captain!

I agree on the Lincoln front. The bump and run was quite doable at Brora, but the greens were holding pretty well for aerial approaches. Pick your poison.

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