Den Brae Golf Club

Not sure what’s happening with the 5th hole but for two weeks now it’s had no “green”. You’re literally putting on the rough fairway

My wife and I played four other courses during our week long stay in this area. We found Den Brae to be very open and forgiving for anyone with a less than "straight as an arrow shot". A little to the left or right? No problem. You can make it work. It is definitely off the beaten path to get there, but it was worth it. The staff were very pleasant. The course conditions were wonderful, thanks a lot to the rain we've had. We'd love to play there again. And what do they do with the alligator in the winter?????

Had a great time on the course but it was very hot! The course was somewhat hilly which made me glad the we had a cart. The holes were challenging at times, but it was a place I would return to in cooler weather. Staff were great!

Den Brae is my favorite golf course in the area
The course is so well maintained and the friendly atmosphere and staff

When I made my reservation I wasn’t alerted to the fact that this is only a 9 hole course. Had I known I would have chosen a different course. The course is in good shape and good if you don’t mind playing it twice for 18 rounds.

This nine-hole layout is a rewarding experience in every respect. Its partly open, partly tree-lined fairways and its rugged beauty made it a good test a and a joy to play today for my first time in many years. The Scottish word “brae” refers to “hillside,” so it’s no surprise that this course’s name suggests a connection to the home of golf. Built in 1958, it clearly was not modeled on the ideas of the most well-known architects of the day–such as Robert Trent Jones, Sr. or Dick Wilson–but rather that of the Golden Age of golf, the early 20th century, when Scottish or U.K. influences were the most prominent ones. With nine holes here that make full use of the site’s best features without much manipulation, that essentially conform to the rolling terrain, and that show a preference for features like pot bunkers and smaller greens, this is old-school golf in the best sense of that tradition.

Den Brae is generally not a punishing course, even though it has woods, some modest areas of heavy rough that line a few holes, and some built-up greens with steep side slopes. There are only a couple of large traps (most are on the smaller side) and no water hazards that cross the line of play. The course’s open and spacious character favors wide bands of rough along fairways–prior to reaching the tree-lines–allowing plenty of room to hit either fades or draws off the tee and often beyond.

Yet there are enough challenges to make a round here interesting:

THE NINE:
With a spacious feel off the tee, the first hole is a solid opener, but it does run 385 yards, and for most golfers will require a mid-iron to a raised, bi-level green. The second, a par-3 playing downhill some 250 yards, is driveable for those who can thread a shot between the green’s two frontal bunkers. Three is a terrific ‘Volcano’ hole (a hole that is built up on at least three sides) and a very tough GIR from a tee situated 175 yards (that play straight uphill) away from the putting surface. Four is the one straightaway hole at Den Brae It’s a par-5 of 500 yards with two pairs of bunkers: a couple siding the fairway in the landing zone; two more fronting each side of the green. With a good pitch and putt at four, birdie is a distinct possibility. A short par-4, five features an offset fairway that tempts you to cut the corner, or even drive the green–but each option is risky. Along with the ninth, the dogleg-left sixth emerges as one of the two toughest par-4s at Den Brae: it’s almost a necessity to hit your drive in the fairway if you hope to hit the plateau green set high above the fairway.

That leaves the closing trio of holes, which comprise a fine finish to this solid nine-holer. Seven is my favorite on the course. Beginning on a high tee, the fairway plunges to a beautifully waving and rolling landing zone that is wide enough to supply a risk-reward aspect: on my second nine today I hit a driver about thirty yards short of the green, making for a relatively easy pitch. The eighth fairway, on the other hand, is set at an angle from the tee, its left side guided by tall, mature conifers. It begs the question: How close are you willing to drive the ball down the left side for the benefit of a shorter approach shot? Eight’s green is raised above grade but also guarded in the back by a hidden bunker, a bunker definitely in play because it’s quite easy to run the approach past the putting surface. The excellent closer runs uphill, 410 yards, all the way to a hilltop green fortified by a pair of bunkers, both invisible from the fairway.

CONDITIONING:
The greens ran at a manageable pace today–about medium–and proved very smooth and true. Fairways, roughs and tees were all excellent, and the overall course was lush and well-kept, among the best conditioned of a dozen or so I’ve played over the last four years in central New Hampshire.

SOME CONCLUSIONS:

Everyone I met today on the course staff was friendly, and my round, playing this nine twice, came in under 2 hours and 45 minutes–a rarity. I felt able to play quickly but without haste. The golf course impresses by its low-key, countryside atmosphere, along with well-groomed fairways and greens. Its layout provides challenge and interest without excessive toughness, and every hole is a good one. If you’re playing well, birdie opportunities should present themselves, notably at the shorter par-4s. A nice bonus: the numerous views that stretch well beyond the course into the mountains.

The course was the best this year well kept fast greens
We really enjoyed ourselves

A fun golf course to play. Great layout and conditions!

This is a great course. Always in good shape and seems to be constantly improving areas all around the course. We try to golf here a few times a month.

A very fun nine hole course that gives you some interesting hills and turns to work around. Overall entirely usable, but the t's and fairways seem to be in slightly better condition than the greens. That's not to say they were in bad shape but they just didn't seem to be quite up to the same level as the rest of the course. Nine holes is entirely walkable, but if you want a cart they are readily available or if you want a bag cart those are available too. Check-in process is quick and easy, pro shop is small but comprehensive, and there's a snack bar right in the main hallway but I didn't get to try unfortunately. The staff were extremely friendly and I chatted with the marshall on the first hole for a bit waiting for the rest of the foursome to show up.

I’ve wanted to play here for years and never got around to it. This is a nice little course and certainly worth the stop. It’s a very forgiving course perfect for all ability levels. Course was in decent condition.

We always have the best time here
Great friendly staff

We always have a great time at this course well groomed

Played 54 holes over four days. A little rain brought the course right back after a summer drought. Really well maintained for a local nine hole. Driver on every hole except the par 3 third. Second hole is drivable if you stay left of the fairway flag, fifth is too if get a good bounce down the right but the worst green to hold. Good value and good people.

Only one par 3 and one par 5, couple drivable par 4 teasers. Moderate elevation changes on most holes and scarce yardage markers. Course is in good shape for the most part. Played with a couple regulars for an enjoyable day.