ABOUT BRAILES GOLF CLUB
Hole 10 is a fine 3-shotter, due yet again to the way the brook angles across the fairway, hidden in a v-shaped gulley; a modest drive hit just a little off-line is often drawn into the hazard. Really confident players may option to carry the water hazard but will need to carry the ball some 290 yards to be sure of being safe and gaining a clear shot to the green.
From the 13th to the 17th, the side of the hill dominates play: up the 13th, down the 15th, up the 16th - par 4s of between 375 and 410 yards. The long 17th sweeps down and crosses the stream via a gap in the tree-line; the drive must be positioned on the left of the fairway if you are to see the green for your shot in. Even with the ball running freely in summer, it is hard to get on in two. It is an excellent hole.
All four par-3s are good, and the 11th and the 14th are outstanding. The 11th is a mere 137 yards, but the brook meanders along at the bottom of the bank leading up to the green. Cut into the hillside and just 17 yards in depth, the putting surface itself is triangular! Far better to be long than short.
The 168-yard 14th also makes good use of the hill – but this time, you play across the slope and between two trees to a very narrow green, perched between a hedge tight to the right, and a precipitous drop on the left.
Besides the customary putting green, Brailes has a 16-bay driving range. Anyone keen to play a better game of golf has only to visit the Game Improvement Centre, which is to be found beside the driving range. PGA Professional, Mark MCGeenhan's pupils range from raw beginners to county golfers.
CLUBHOUSE
There’s a comfortable L-shaped lounge with the dining room beyond and the locker-rooms below. Outside, the red-brick walls offer a stark contrast to the lush green grass, while inside those same red-bricks give off a welcoming warmth. With ales brewed in renowned local breweries, Brailes takes great pride in always offering at least two 'real ales'; try The Wizard or Old Hooky and see which suits you best! Like the beer, the food served is sourced locally wherever possible and prepared fresh on site by award-winning staff.
There is a small conference room that is let out to local businessmen for meetings, and members can also hold wedding receptions and private dinners in the clubhouse.
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