Cockermouth GC - James Braid

[Jonathan Davison]

Cockermouth GC.
To carry on the Cumbrian theme. Cockermouth Golf Club is a James Braid design situated just outside the lovely town of Cockermouth. The golf course is a rustic, simple design with stunning views of the surrounding fells. Years ago it was maintained by a couple of greenkeepers and a few sheep. Now the sheep have gone and the club has a full team of greenkeepers with shiny new fairway mowers, I preferred the course before.

1st green


View to the second


An older photo of the second hole, a short par 4 with out of bounds left and right.

[Jonathan Davison]

View of the second green from the 3rd fairway.



The lovely third green, great contours a couple of rugged grassy bunkers.

The quirky 6th green with a basic cut and fill


Looking back down the 6th


Hole 7, stroke 1, 405 yards uphill and normally into the prevailing wind

[Jonathan Davison]

Hole 10, a short blind par 4. Pick your line from the tee.


10th green with everything falling down into the green.


11th green


17th, a lovely little downhill par 3.


An older picture of the 17th

[Thomas Dai]

Splendid stuff Jonathan. Seems like every corner of GB has a James Braid 'rural and rustic special' tucked away somewhere, either with or without sheep (and cattle).
atb

[Bill_McBride]

I didn't know Braid was into cone shaped mounds.   

[Jon Wiggett]

Thanks for the photos Jonathan.

Braid does do a lot of very artificial looking modelling on his courses which I really like and prefer to much of the faux scruff natural being produced in recent times.

Jon

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Thanks for a sight of these. It looks and feels rather similar to Welshpool (also Braid). You remind me that I have a lot of gaps in my travels that must be closed. M

[jeffwarne]

Thanks for the photos Jonathan.

Braid does do a lot of very artificial looking modelling on his courses which I really like and prefer to much of the faux scruff natural being produced in recent times.

Jon

+1

[Thomas Dai]

.....It looks and feels rather similar to Welshpool (also Braid)........

Exactly my thought when seeing the photos, sheep apart that is.

Welshpool - http://www.welshpoolgolfclub.co.uk/pages.php/index.html

Shades of Machynlleh too - http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,58792.0.html

A James Braid tour comprising only his rural rustic courses located in what are thesedays largely out-of-the-way places would be damn good fun IMO. Cheap greenfees too!

atb

[Adrian_Stiff]

I didn't know Braid was into cone shaped mounds.   

Was his Madonna period.

[Neil White]

Looks interesting to say the least.

Had a look at Moreton and Cummings' book and it mentions Cockermouth is a Braid re-design from a initial layout by a guy named ' Renouf'.

I wonder how much is actually Braid?

Thomas,

I agree with your suggestion of trying out his more rustic courses - there are plenty to choose from - where shall we start? 

[Paul Gray]

.....It looks and feels rather similar to Welshpool (also Braid)........

Exactly my thought when seeing the photos, sheep apart that is.

Welshpool - http://www.welshpoolgolfclub.co.uk/pages.php/index.html

Shades of Machynlleh too - http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php/topic,58792.0.html

A James Braid tour comprising only his rural rustic courses located in what are thesedays largely out-of-the-way places would be damn good fun IMO. Cheap greenfees too!

atb

And more than a hint of Eastbourne Downs.

[Jonathan Davison]

Neil,
I am not sure but I think its mostly Braid. The course has two greens which stick out, the 4th and 5th which are really a basic cut and fill and could be the work of the club.

[Jon Wiggett]

Jonathan,

the square shaped cut and fill green is classic Braid so there is a good possibility they are his work.

Jon

[Brian_Ewen]

Thanks for the photos Jonathan.

Braid does do a lot of very artificial looking modelling on his courses which I really like and prefer to much of the faux scruff natural being produced in recent times.

+1

[Niall C]

Jonathon

Thanks for the photos. I thought I'd played there but looking at the photos clearly I haven't although I wish I had.

Cheers

Niall

[Sean_A]

JD

Thanks for the photos.  Is the course as hilly as it looks?

Ciao

[Marc Haring]

Vicious slope on this fairway.

[Mark Pearce]

Vicious slope on this fairway.

Not sure I fancy putting on that green, either!

[Jonathan Davison]

Sean,
The course is a bit hilly, a couple of tough walks on the back of the legs.

That fairway isn't that bad, I only posted the picture to show the beautiful Cumbrian countryside.

[Jonathan Davison]

Looking from fairway.