James Braid
James Braid - A Famous Scottish Golfer
James Braid (1870 - 1950) was born, February 6, 1870, in Elie and Earlsferry, Fife, Scotland and played golf from an early age winning his first local tournament when he was only 8 years old. He worked as a carpenter in St. Andrews which gave him ample opportunity to develop his game.
In 1893 Braid moved to England to work as a clubmaker in London and, by 1896, he had become a professional golfer. Braid became known for his ability to drive long distances but he was plagued by inconsistent putting. His contemporaries, Vardon and Taylor, were already winning Opens but Braid failed to make a breakthrough.
In 1900 James Braid moved from his wooden putter to using an aluminum-headed putter instead. The move had a profound effect upon his game and, in 1901, he beat Harry Vardon to win The Open Championship.
Braid's golfing achievements were remarkable he won the Open Championship a total of five times, in 1901 at Muirfield, 1905, 1906, at Prestwick in 1908 and at St. Andrews in 1910, and was runner-up three times. He won the British PGA Matchplay Championship four times, in 1903, 1905, 1907 and 1911, and the French open once in 1910. In 1912 he retired from competitive golf becoming a club professional at Walton Heath (until his death).
Following his retirement Braid was in popular demand as a golf course designer, designing an estimated 200 courses around the U.K. In 1926 he remodelled the Open Championship course, Carnoustie Golf Links. Offers came in from abroad, especially America, but Braid had a fear of flying and suffered terribly from motion sickness, to such a degree that it exluded travel by boat.
James Braid was a founder member of the Professional Golfer's Association (PGA), later it's president, and helped lay the foundations of today's professioanl game. In recognition of his contribution to golf, the R&A honoured him with membership.
Braid is most well well known for his inland courses which were always well laid out and well drained. They included the earliest known use of the dogleg which has led many to declare him the "inventor" of the dogleg.
James Braid died on November 27th 1950.
James Braid Links:
The Blairgowrie Golf Club History
In 1930 James Braid was employed to re-design Blairgowrie Golf Course and this page includes interesting images and details of that design.
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