The Belfry (Brabazon)

The Brabazon Course at The Belfry is one of the most iconic venues in England, courtesy of the tournaments it has hosted and the moments it has seen. 

Although it has only been around since 1977, the Brabazon is well-known to all, thanks to its hosting of the Ryder Cup on four occasions, along with many a DP World Tour event as well. 

The course, designed by Dave Thomas and Peter Alliss, feature water on no fewer than 14 holes, and can stretch as far back as 7,250 yards for the professionals. 

Check out our full piece on the Belfry Resort here.

Visit The Belfry’s website here.

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage.

The Brabazon Course was designed by the duo of Dave Thomas and Peter Alliss in the mid 1970s, and it would soon become an iconic championship venue. 

The Brabazon Course is the only venue – either side of the Atlantic Ocean – to have hosted four Ryder Cups, doing so in 1985, 1989, 1993 and 2002. 

The course has also hosted the DP World Tour on multiple occasions, most recently becoming the annual host of the Betfred British Masters. The likes of Seve Ballesteros, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Paul Casey and Lee Westwood have all been victorious on the Brabazon. 

The Brabazon is a course that all of us feel we have played without so much as setting foot on the property. We all have images in our mind of Ballesteros's derring-do and Monty at his inspiring best leading Europe to glory while striding the lush fairways and perfect greens, expectations are sometimes unrealistically high. This is a genuine tournament course, and it offers club players a rare chance indeed - to putt on greens as fast as any the pros encounter on the European Tour and encounter fairways every bit as carpet-like. From the very back tees, it pushes well past 7,200 yards, but for us normal folk, it is just over 6,700 yards from the Whites. 

The Brabazon Course begins with two relatively straightforward par 4s, the first of which is arrow straight, while the 2nd is a slight dog-leg left ending at a kidney-shaped green, one that is surrounded by four large bunkers. The 3rd has been transformed into an exciting par 5 where the biggest hitters are tempted to send their second shots soaring over a lake to the well-protected green in search of a putt for eagle. Most will play to the right of the water hazard, before hitting their third shot towards the narrow green. 

The 4th then tees off over a different water hazard, with then another small hazard coming into play in front of the green. Even off the Whites, it is more than 405 yards, making it a tricky test no matter what. 5 also tees off over a hazard, this time to a narrow fairway. The two fairway bunkers must be avoided if you are wanting to find the green with your approach. The 6th was redesigned in 2007, and it can seem there is no escape from the water on the Brabazon at this point. The fairway here is effectively an island and anyone who walks off with a four can be justly proud of themselves. 

7 is the first of three par 3s on the course, and at 170 yards from the Whites, it is all over water. The green is pear-shaped, with the narrow section at the front. 8 and 9 are two testing par 4s which bring you back to the clubhouse. The former features the same water hazard you tried to avoid on the 6th, along with another little stream which runs in front of the green. The closing hole on the front nine is a dog-leg left, and if you find the fairway, you then have to attack the green over more water, which is on the right side of the surface. 

The famous 10th has undergone surgery in more recent years, with the green now pulled closer to the water to create a new pin position on the front right. It is one of the most famous holes in golf, courtesy of that Seve moment! Will you opt to try and take on the green with your tee shot, or will you take the safe play and hit an iron down the left side of the water before then playing for the green? 

The 11th is a long par 4, one that turns to the right. There are three bunkers in the landing zone for your drive that must be avoided. The 12th is the first par 3 on the back nine, one that is again, played over water, with the green being accompanied by a fish-shaped sand trap on the left of it. 13 and 14 don’t feature any water, so there is some respite here, with the latter being the final par 3 on the Brabazon. It is 185 yards from the Whites, and played to a green that diagonally angles away from you. Three bunkers guard the putting surface. 

The closing stretch begins with the 15th – the first of two par 5s in the final four holes. At 500 yards from the Whites, it is gettable, but there is a stream running across the fairway that has to be avoided. The green has three bunkers to the left and one to the right to make it even tougher. The other par 5 is the 17th, the longest hole on the Brabazon. It plays as a sharp dog-leg right around the final hole that is to come. This will be a three-shotter for most, simply thanks to its length. In between these two par 5s is the tough 16th. A slight dog-leg left, sand is the issue on 16 instead of water. Six large bunkers dotted down the hole make it difficult to work out where to hit your drive, let alone your approach. 

All that has come before it has built towards The Belfry's defining closing hole, where the water must be carried not once but twice before the enormous 65-yard, three-tier green is tackled. A dogleg from right to left, be brave and take on the longest carry and you can get within 150 yards or so of the middle of the green. Play more cautiously to guarantee a dry landing and the pin can easily be more than 200 yards away. It is equally a test of nerve and skill. The same can be said of the Brabazon as a whole. 

David Elliott: A true modern classic championship parkland. Some fantastic holes but all good holes

Steve Carroll: The 10th and 18th will remain iconic for as long as golf is played here.

Read more about our panellists here.

Where is The Belfry located?  

The Belfry is located in the West Midlands, around ten miles to the north of the city of Birmingham. Wishaw is the nearest town to the resort, with the venue situated off the A446. The M6 Toll Road, which winds its way around the north of Birmingham, is less than a mile from the entrance to The Belfry.  

Water Orton and Coleshill Parkway, which are both stations on the train line between Birmingham New Street Station and Leicester Station, are around a three-mile drive from The Belfry. For international visitors who want to play at this Ryder Cup venue, there are many airports within driving distance of The Belfry. Birmingham Airport is ten miles to the south, while East Midlands Airport is 30 miles to the northeast. Manchester Airport is also within a 90-minute drive from the resort. Manchester is the biggest and busiest of the three, but all three airports operate daily flights to most European countries. 

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: England venues nearby?  

The Belfry is one of several venues on the NCG Top 100s: England list that is located in the West Midlands. The likes of Little Aston, Sutton Coldfield, Beau Desert, Blackwell and the Highgate Course at Enville are all within an hour from The Belfry.   

What golf facilities does The Belfry offer?  

Along with the Brabazon, The Belfry is also home to the PGA National Course and the Derby Course. As well as the 54 holes of golf, the venue is home to The Belfry Driving Range and PGA Golf Academy provide perfect practice facilities for guests and members. There is a 34-bay floodlit driving range, all with TopTracer technology to allow golfers to practice their skills as well as play games and real-life courses.   

The PGA National Academy can also offer club fitting thanks to four custom fitting suites, while there is a short game area and a putting green to allow players to hone their short game skills.

What are the green fees at The Belfry?  

The price of a green fee at The Belfry changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. 

For more information on current green fees at The Belfry visit their website here.