We had never heard of Bransford Golf Club until a friend of ours told us that he had become a member there. He kept raving about how good the course is and how we had to come down and review it. When he offered to organise a round for all three of us to play the course together we felt like we had to go check it out.
Set in the Worcestershire countryside and with the Malvern Hills providing a spectacular backdrop, the course is visually beautiful. What we soon discovered is that it’s designers had created a very unique Florida style course in the middle of England! The Par 72 course measures 6,252 yards in length and is split equally into six Par 3’s, six Par 4’s and six Par 5’s. It has 14 lakes and two island greens, more about one of those later, and is a billed as a great test for golfers of all levels. The big question we had to answer was which nine was better and would be the first entry into the Nine Hole Golf leaderboard? Would it be the opening nine or the closing stretch?
The Front Nine
The front nine begins with two gentle Par 4’s, measuring 335 and 334 yards in length. After easing into the round you then play two of the best holes on the front nine. The Par 3 third is 166 yards and has water running from front left through to back right. Add in three large bunkers and suddenly your game is being tested! After navigating the third you then play the first of the Par 5’s. The fourth hole is a 499 yard dogleg from left to right. Find the fairway and you have a unique second shot into the green. You have to hit a long iron through a narrow gap created by two tall trees. If the wind is blowing, the gap seems to shrink as the branches sway. Add in two large greenside bunkers and if you find yourself on the green in regulation you have every right to be happy with yourself.
The examination continues with a long Par 3 fifth, before you play the easiest hole on the course, a 452 yard Par 5. The seventh is a long Par 3 that has a bunker that runs across the entire front of the green. It is constantly in your eyeline and a great bit of course design. The eight is the fourth hardest hole on the course and plays every bit of it’s 477 yards. The fun really begins as you approach the green. There are two big greenside bunkers as well as water to the right of the green. These elements make the green appear much smaller than it actually is. The final hole on the front nine is short Par 4 that looks innocuous but has a surprise greenside bunker. There is water to the left and back of the green that isn’t visible from the fairway. Pulled or long approach shots will find a watery end.
The Back Nine
The run to home starts with a tough Par 4. It’s not long, just 318 yards in length but it has water all down the left and the hole is a sharp left to right dogleg. It places a premium on accuracy rather than length. The 11th marks the start a lovely sequence of Par 3, Par 5, Par 3, Par 5, Par 3. The first two Par 3’s are great tests of your iron play but the final Par 3 is the best of the bunch. You play from a raised tee to a green on the other side of a small valley. Club selection is absolutely vital, so is a good swing. Bunkers, trees and thick rough all await errant tee shots.
The 16th is a stunning hole, proof that short Par 4’s can be a great test. The water in front of the green will get inside your head if you let it. Walk away with a par or better and you’ll have a smile on your face. The final Par 4 on the course is a tough hole, stroke index 3, and requires two very good shots to find the green in regulation. Water is waiting for any pushed or sliced tee shots and the fairway runs out at 230 yards. Once again accuracy is key to avoiding trouble here. The 18th hole is a great Par 5 and a fitting finale. At 481 yards it is long and has water and a massive bunker waiting to swallow up poor tee shots. Most golfers will need to lay up but a large green means you can be aggressive with your approach. Birdie is a real possibility here but it’s down to the approach shot.
Signature hole
The beautiful Par 4 16th is the stand out hole on the course. From the tee box you can see the Malvern Hills in the distance, providing a picturesque backdrop to the wonderfully crafted hole. What makes this hole so special is the island green that awaits your second shot. The wood cladding on the green gives it almost a TPC Sawgrass feel. At 319 yards in length, the clever design of this hole proves that short Par 4’s can really test your game.
Which is the best nine?
The front nine has some great holes, the Par 3 third and the Par 5 4th instantly spring to mind. However the back nine has a wonderful blend of holes, none of which feel remotely similar. The final four holes are a joy to play, it’s almost like the designers decided that they wanted to save the best until last!
Front Nine
Variety of holes – 7/10
Design – 7/10
Back Nine
Variety of holes – 8/10
Design – 8/10
Final thoughts
Bransford Golf Club was a joy to play and a course that offers a brilliant test for golfers of all levels. The course designers have done a fantastic job of creating a course where no two holes are the same. It is not the most unique of venues but it is great value for money. More importantly though, it is a great experience for any golfer. If you haven’t played it and fancy a trip to Worcestershire then we recommend you book a tee time!
Uniqueness of venue – 5/10
Value for money – 7/10
Experience – 8/10
Nine Hole Golf 