Brampton - Cumbria - England

Called in on the way back from the Bamburgh in August to reacquaint myself with this Quirky James Braid layout.

Very friendly welcome and a most reasonable green fee.

The course may not be to everyone's taste, but for me the layout does offer a fair and varied test of golf.

The 3rd hole is one of my favourites a long par 4 that requires length and accuracy to get into position to have any chance of securing a par, which I can imagine could prove to be an early round hurdle to get over for most.

Opportunity knocks at the risk reward 7th, which is a typical braid style hole, tempting you to test your skills to the max, physically and mentally.

The 10th another favourite provides the first glimpse of a stunning lake in the distance before you get up close at the 14th

Conditions were good, despite a recent dry spell, greens lush and great leaf coverage

Gave Brampton a 2nd try, now that it was back on proper tees and greens for April. Condition of course was still not up to scratch with hairy greens and scruffy tees...played nearby Penrith a few days later and this was in much better condition for the time of the year. The par 3 1st is not a very exciting hole to begin the round and the 2nd is a pretty straight forward par 4 played to a well bunkered elevated green. The 3rd is a good tough par 4, and along with the long 17th these are the 2 best holes on the course. Crossing the road, a collection of short par 4's with blind 2nd shots in a cramped space have very little to recommend them from a golf architecture perspective, although the views offered from some of the tees are very good. The 3 finishing holes are all decent, with the short 16th requiring an accurate wedge shot to a well bunkered green, the long 17th requiring 3 decent shots to make a par, and the last is a good finishing hole requiring an accurate drive and mid iron 2nd to a sloppy green.

I'd really like to give Brampton a better review as my local course but the hand of James braid has only been lightly applied(he didn't design all 18 holes)here, and as with so many courses around the world, you are as good as the piece of the land you have to work with. Brampton just needs more space and some modifications of its collection of shorts par 4's to improve what could be a good course from what is currently only an average course in many respects.

"Talkin Tarn", Brampton is a very sporty course and lots of fun so long as you remember to pack your sense of humour and engage your brain as well as your biceps.

Have played it a couple of times, and whilst the holes on the "other" side of the road are a little pot luck, it's all good fun to be had in wonderful scenery with friendly members and very good value.

A number of holes are decidedly "unfair" - this is definitely a course where a stroke saver is recommended, particularly since parts can become damp so you will play off tees forward of where the hole yardage might indicate. Also, play some holes as par 5's - it's an ideal matchplay course which has resulted in dog licenses both times, one each way.

Highly recommended.

Played Brampton on a cold and frosty day, so certainly didn't see it at its best. Given the recent weather (warm and dry), too much of the course was on temp greens and very forward tees. The course is scenic, but certainly not Gleneagles. Its main downfall was the number of short par 4's, which had been crammed into too small a space, and relied too much on a lucky or unlucky bounce. Stand hole was the 17th..a long uphill drive and good 2nd shot played off an uphill lie are needed to set up a short iron into a well guarded green. The better holes are certainly situated on the clubhouse side of the road, and 18 is a decent hole requiring an accurate drive and mid iron to an uphill green.

Will play again when the weather has improved to see how it plays from proper tees to proper greens. Nice clubhouse, with good views of the 18th serve great food and staff very friendly

After yet more heavy rain and a subsequent course closure we hastily re-routed to Brampton in order play our annual cross border match. I had read that the course can get wet at times so we were pleasantly surprised to find very dry conditions underfoot and a well prepared course. The greens were not particularly quick but had drained very well and were true. The course is certainly undulating with great views but none of the climbs were overly taxing. For me the variety of holes is the strong point of this course. Each hole is different and it’s easy to remember the routing in the bar afterwards. There are a handful of driveable par 4’s for the big boys (7, 8, 15 and 16) but you risk losing your ball if you go for it. There are also some tough par 4’s such as 11, 13 and 18 which are all good holes. My favourites were the 8th, shooting from a raised tee (maybe best to leave the driver in the bag here) followed by a short iron to a raised green and the 11th, a dogleg right over trees which requires two well struck shots. The clubhouse is very comfortable and offers good views of the 1st and 18th. Although not quite in the same league as Silloth further west, this course is well worth the green fee so give it a try.Brian W

Brampton certainly plays its length, you need to bring your best driving game with you. There are some excellent holes and the variety of trees around the course is quite incredible...we played here in the autumn and the colours were breathtaking. It would be nice to see the course at its driest during the summer. Well worth a visit.