Course 147: Brae Burn CC

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The first tee at Brae Burn CC is an incredible setting. Set in the shadow of the clubhouse, people are milling about or hanging out on the patio. It's a high-traffic area where players like Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen, and Beth Daniel have lifted USGA trophies.

Brae Burn's calling card is the superb greens that relentlessly test players, not just when they have a putter in their hand. The greens impact the entire round because players have to consider their placement off tees and pick the correct club for approaches. Mistakes can be punished.

The most dramatic land comes early in the round. Seven of the first nine greens require uphill (2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9) or downhill shots (6). It can lead to an unnerving start to the round for the uninitiated.

The third green might be the best on the course. It's understated and tough to read, with various nobs and humps. However, it's not tricked up, and even at high speeds, it gives players a chance to two-putt or get up and down from various spots.

The 13th green is bananas and quite striking. A huge swale guards the front of this par 5, allowing players to run shots onto the putting surface, but getting stuck in the swale can lead to jeopardy.

The Golden Age Donald Ross design has some quirks. Some tee boxes cross each other, and the 2nd and 7th tees are very close together. The stretch from the 8th green to the 10th tee is also awkward, making that portion of the round blur together. A long walk to the 9th tee and then up to the 10th tee isn't ideal.

The fairway slope on the 16th is probably the biggest issue. Balls collect in one spot, and the rough has had to be cut differently to give players a chance on the approach.

The standout holes were the third, eighth, and 14th.

The third is a cool, short par 4 with a blind shot to an awesome green.

The setting on the 8th is excellent. From the tee box with the walking bridge to the green that sits in eyeshot of the 9th and 16th greens is delightful.

The 14th is a rock-solid par 5. In particular, I love the mounding that blocks the view of the green from the right.

An invite to Brae Burn CC is one you shouldn’t turn down.

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