Featured Course - The Brabazon

Course History

Designed by Dave Thomas and Peter Allis, the Brabazon became famous in 1985 with Seve Ballesteros’ drive onto the 10th green when The Belfry hosted The Ryder Cup for the first time. 

It was to be the setting of three further Ryder Cup events, making this a course that now see’s many golfers striving for the same challenge.

How Hard is it?

The Brabazon is a serious test for any golfer, although fair and easily enjoyed at any skill level. Everyone will immediately appreciate the exceptional condition of the course from the tees through to the greens. There is a huge variety of holes from short par 3’s to testing double dog leg par 5’s with well positioned bunkers throughout.

Good to Know

A beautiful, but not always welcomed, aspect of the course is the presence of water on every hole on the front nine, lakes banking the fairways and streams protecting the front of most greens. Although water is still present on the back, most recognisably on the famous driveable par 4 tenth, tempting many golfers to go for it, and the long par 3 twelfth with its cascading waterfall coming down the right hand side of the green feeding in to a lake, other shots like the risky tee shots of the par 5 15th and 17th holes and then of course the tough 18th hole finishing with the huge 3 tiered green in front of the hotel make it a challenging finish.

Course Tips

Keys to success on the Brabazon include well planned tee shots negotiating the fairway bunkers, knowing the carry distance of your approach clubs to ensure the trouble fronting the greens is avoided at all costs, and great lag putting to avoid three putting on the large, fast and sloping greens.

Some advice for those who play it for the first time would be to choose which tee you play off wisely and make sure you have a course guide with you.

Final Word

To play the Brabazon will cost you anything from £65 last minute to £200 per person per 18 hole round and while it’s on every golfer’s bucket list, it’s worth every penny to say that you’ve walked down the same greens as legends of the past.