James Braid

James Braid was born in 1870 in Earlsferry, Fife, Scotland, near the famous links courses where he first learned to play golf. Known as one of golf’s early legends, Braid won The Open Championship five times between 1901 and 1910, establishing himself alongside Harry Vardon and J.H. Taylor as part of the “Great Triumvirate.” After scaling back his playing career, he dedicated himself to golf course design, contributing to over 200 courses primarily throughout the UK.

Braid is credited with introducing and formalizing design elements like the dogleg hole, emphasizing strategic variety and fairness that challenge skilled players without overwhelming novices. His work includes the King's and Queen's courses at Gleneagles, the remodeling of Carnoustie, and influence over major courses such as Royal Troon and The Open Championship venue Carnoustie. He was known for his efficient design process—often surveying sites briefly before submitting detailed plans remotely—and for significantly shaping British golf course architecture in the first half of the 20th century.