James Braid beauties
With over 400 credits to his name, the Braid legacy of course design and upgrade has wonderful strength in depth
Fraserburgh
The club moved to this excellent, rugged seascape from its original home in 1891, but it was not until 1922 that Braid redesigned the course. Protected from the beach by impressive dunes, the par-70 layout had three new holes built in the 1950s, those closest to the sea, and there were more changes 20 years later. The Corbie Hill course is a Braid classic with gently undulating fairways and plenty of variety. This is the seventh-oldest club in the world and it deserves to be far better known. GF: 18 holes: £100 (there’s a reduced rate for Scottish residents)
Orsett
Orsett began life in 1899 as a four-hole course. Braid was enlisted almost 30 years later to design a full 18, and bar a few tweaks to cater for modern equipment and tastes, this is almost exactly what you play today. Just five miles from London’s orbital motorway, the course is a genuine test that has often been used for Open qualifying. There is plenty of heather and gorse, some holes run through woodland and the bunkering is perfectly placed. GF: 18 holes: £80
Wrexham
As was so often the case, Wrexham started life with a nine-hole course. This opened in 1906, but the club moved 18 years later and it was Braid who laid out the new design, one of ten or more bearing his name in North Wales alone. Since then, it has changed greatly, mainly as a result of its wartime requisitioning. What remains perhaps owes less to Braid than many others, but he is certainly here in spirit. There are five varied par 3s and three long holes.
GF: 18 holes: £40wd, £45we
Banstead Downs
Braid designed the original course at Banstead Downs, not far from Epsom, in 1890. It is easy-walking for a downland course, but still a demanding test that stretches to over 6,500 yards from the back tees. Long and strategic par 4s are a particular feature, especially at the 4th, 7th, 10th and 15th. The bunkering is strong, and the free-draining turf has a firm, links-like quality. The course is generally tree-lined, with far-reaching views of the London skyline.
GF: 18 holes: £70
Helensburgh
This good-looking course is 20 miles from Glasgow, and its original nine-holer was laid out in 1893 by Old Tom Morris. This was nurtured into a full 18 over a number of years, before Braid was called in almost a century ago to revise all of the bunkering and add two new holes. Less than 6,000 yards from the back tees, it’s undulating and there is only one par 5. Braid’s personal holes are the scenic par-3 11th and the par-4 12th, which is played to a punchbowl green.
GF: 18 holes: £40-£45