In Bro, north-west of Stockholm, lies Bro Hof Slott Golf Club. The castle and the lake give the venue a clear setting, but it is the two 18-hole courses that take centre stage: The Stadium Course and The Castle Course, both designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.
The same architect has created two experiences with different characters here. That makes choosing a course an interesting part of the visit.
Stadium Course – big views and strategic choices
The Stadium Course opened in 2007 and is characterised by wide fairways, large greens, extensive water hazards and well-placed bunkers. The setting by Lake Mälaren also makes the wind an important part of the game.
It is a course that raises questions before each shot. How much do you dare to cut off? Where is the best angle to the green? And how does the wind change your club selection?
The course has also hosted the Nordea Masters five times, giving the round a link to the competitive history of professional golf.
Castle Course – a different kind of precision
The Castle Course opened in 2010 and offers a shorter layout with narrower fairways, more trees and less water. Here the setting shifts between parkland, forest and elements that bring links golf to mind.
Large sandy areas, so-called waste areas, contribute to both the look and the strategy. The differences between the courses show how architecture and landscape can shape every decision during a round.
A day worth giving a little extra time
Bro Hof's appeal also lies in the whole: the walk through the landscape, the conversations between shots and the moment afterwards when the round is played over again.
For us at Brown Avenue, golf's meeting of movement, tradition and relaxed elegance is a natural source of inspiration. A knitted polo and a soft sweater for cooler hours work just as well during the day as at the table after the last putt.
And this is often where there are plenty of shots left to talk about.