Brora Golf Club is one of the most northerly layouts on NCG’s Top 100 Golf Courses in GB & Ireland, situated in the Scottish Highlands. 

The club was founded in the late 19th Century and was redesigned by James Braid to create the stunning 18-hole course that we see today, with stunning views out over the North Sea.


Book to play on the NCG Top 100s Tour at Brora.
Visit Brora's website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100 Great Britain & Ireland list.

Brora Golf Club was founded in the late 19th Century after a public meeting held in the Upper Room of the Library Institute. The membership fee was two shillings and sixpence per year.

The original layout of Brora Golf Club, constructed in 1891, featured 9 holes. Nine years later, at the turn of the Century, it was extended to 18. In 1924, legendary course designer James Braid arrived and submitted plans to redesign the course.

Those plans were implemented almost exactly as he wanted and, a century later, not much has changed. 

Brora Golf Club is certainly not the longest course in the world, measuring just over 6,200 yards from the back tees, But the par 70 still provides a stern test, especially with the North Sea whipping in down the right for the outward nine.

We start with Ardassie, which feels like a short and welcoming par-4, at less than 300 yards, but with a challenging green. The 2nd fairway splits in two, with a pair of greenside bunkers protecting a long and thin putting surface. Next is one of five par 4s measuring over 400 yards. Everything slopes to the right, towards the sea. Beware the grassy canal that dissects the fairway halfway down.

The 4th is a birdie opportunity, a 325 yard par-4, before the 5th shows off the Clynelish Burn. Again the burn runs across the fairway, effectively cutting the hole in two. A par on 5 is a good result. The first of the par-3s follows, with three bunkers in front of the green, which sits 170 yards away from the back tees. It is the only hole on the outward nine which does not feature the sea on your right side. 

The Achrimsdale Burn cuts across in front of the 7th green, with two bunkers guarding the green. The longest hole on the golf course quicky follows, with the 501 yard par-5 8th. Just a single bunker is greenside, but the hole slides from left to right, with mounds and knolls all over the fairway. 

The front nine closes with a par-3, at 152 yards. Again, bunkers protect the green both left and right and anything travelling further in that direction will find the beach and the sea. The back nine starts along the railway line, with the 10th fairway dominated by a devilishly placed bunker.  The green slopes violently and two putts brings relief. 

The Achrimsdale  burn comes back into play on 11, the last par-5 on the property. And after the par-4 12th, you come to the shortest hole on the course, the par-3 13th, which measures 125 yards from the tips. The Clynelish Burn wraps its way around the front of the green, which is guarded by five bunkers.

Two short par-4s sandwich the 430 yard 15th. Both 14 and 16 could be classed as birdie opportunities for good drivers. The par-4 17th catches the eye, with two rough mounds on the fairway set to distract. The approach is to a small and undulating green.

Brora’s closing hole is a lengthy par-3, at 201 yards from the tips. The hole might seem quite straight-forward, but three bunkers guard the green, and you must negotiate this closer with the clubhouse watching on.

Brora is located in the Scottish Highlands, with Inverness the nearest city. To show just how northerly Brora is, you can get to John O’Groats, the most northern point of the United Kingdom, within an hour.

Inverness Airport is the largest airport in the region and about 90 minutes away.

An 18-hole round at Brora Golf Club will cost £140 during the summer of 2024, with cheaper prices throughout the winter and spring. The golf club also has rates for members of golf clubs in the UK. During the summer, for UK golf club members, it will be £95.

Buggies cost £30, as will a set of clubs if you need some. Both pull and electric trolleys are also available. 

Brora also has caddies for hire, at the rate of £60 plus tip, but the club note they will not always be able to provide a caddie if inundated with requests. 

The pro shop at Brora, manned by Malcolm Murray, is able to provide all golfing needs, from accessories to balls, clubs to tees. Murray is a qualified PGA Professional who can also provide lessons, if booked in advance.


Book to play on the NCG Top 100s Tour at Brora.
Visit Brora's website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100 Great Britain & Ireland list.