Burnham & Berrow Golf Club
Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, England
1st Hole / 383 Yards / Par-4
Architect: Harry S. Colt
by M. James Ward

The starting hole for any course occupies a crucial position. Clearly, all play commences from there so the hole  must be elastic. Not so difficult as to cause major back-ups, however, but at the same time able to have players demonstrate the wherewithal to play quality shots too.

Burnham & Berrow has been operating as a golf club since 1890. The design is the handiwork of the acclaimed Harry S. Colt and the genius of the man shows itself well with the opener.

The first hole was first proposed by Harry Colt in a report he put together in 1913, but because of the outbreak of World War I, the proposed changes did not start until 1920 – after the war concluded and when the club had sufficient funds to start with the improvements. Much of that work was completed by 1922 and opened for play in 1923.

The 1st at B&B is not especially long, but is often into the prevailing wind and plays longer than the stated yardage. The most immediate thing that draws your attention is the sliver of fairway that splits major size mounds on both sides. There is sufficient room, but the feeling you get says otherwise. It is imperative to avoid going left as a steep bank on the left awaits – if you go right, a sand hill on that side can block one’s view of the green.

There is a “choke” point – no pun intended – in the fairway as it bottlenecks to just 6 yards wide at the 280 yard mark from the back tees. The key to the hole is getting one’s ball in play so that you can have no more than a mid-to-short iron into the green.
Stronger players, who feel very confident, can attempt to hit driver to get as close to the green as possible. But the penalties for a wayward play are severe and never certain.

The element that adds to the quality of the 1st is that the 2nd hole which follows is even more demanding. So, it is critical to make sure you get off to a good start – generating necessary momentum in getting the round headed in the right direction.
The green at the 1st provides subtle contours – ever so slight and hard to discern without multiple plays. The putting surface is also not large at roughly 4,000 square feet, so being in the fairway is a major plus.

Burnham & Berrow has several holes of note, but it is the opener that sets the tone for the round to follow. Being ready to execute as called upon is an absolute must. Brains, not sheer brawn alone, carries the day here.