Architect focuses on improving “visibility, consistency and presentation” of bunkers on James Braid layout
By Kasturi Datta |
Lobb + Partners has completed two phases of renovation work on the 1907 James Braid course at Henley Golf Club in Oxfordshire, England, with a third phase expected to start in 2027.
“The objective has been to make sure Henley continues to provide a really strong golfing experience for all levels of golfer,” said James Brockington, general manager at Henley Golf Club. “The game has changed considerably – particularly with advances in equipment and the distances the ball now travels – so some of the features that historically influenced how a hole played were no longer having the same impact. Equally, some features were excessively punishing one level of golfer and had become an afterthought for another level.
“There was also a very practical need for investment. Many of our bunkers were old and increasingly difficult to maintain, with drainage and sand consistency affecting both their condition and playability. The renovation gave us the opportunity to use modern construction techniques, including specialist liners, improved drainage and carefully selected bunker sands, to create much more consistent playing conditions while making the bunkers more manageable for our greenkeeping team.”
The first phase was carried out in winter 2024-25, with the second completed in winter 2025-26. DLM Golf, led by Damian Monaghan, has executed the work, working alongside Henley's course manager, Jamie Sheeran.
The renovated sixteenth hole (Photo: Jason Livy)
“We spent quite an amount of time with the club to understand the playing characteristics of the course but also the dynamic of the club,” said Lobb. “Whilst there is a significant historic record at the club with James Braid, we wanted to respect those ideals yet look to the future. We have focused on enhancing the strategic interest and challenge for the golfers, primarily through bunkering but also from thinking about angles and approach play to the green complexes. The greens are smallish but retain a great challenge with bunkering and slope on the surfaces. Being in the right spot throughout the hole is an important path to success.
“The bunkering is certainly more visible, which I think is a good thing. We used a rubber crumb liner and a revetted edge so the maintenance of the bunkers should be streamlined. Without question this will allow more time to be spent on the playing surfaces. The style of the bunkering has changed from a smaller pot style to a larger and more freeform shape. We felt that this befitted the grand landscape that the club sits in.”
Bunkers have been the focus for the first two phases of work, as seen on the eleventh (Photo: Jason Livy)
The club is renovating the course in phases in accordance with a masterplan developed by Lobb.
“It’s not about making the course harder for the sake of it; it’s about making it more interesting and strategic,” said Brockington. “We want golfers to have decisions to make – where to position the ball, which hazards to take on and when the percentage play is the better option. The multi-phase approach has allowed us to make significant improvements while keeping disruption to members and visitors manageable. Ultimately, the vision is to continue to improve Henley: a course that is visually impressive, enjoyable for the everyday golfer and still provides a genuine test for the very best players.”
The renovated third hole (Photo: Jason Livy)
“Tim’s work has looked at how features such as bunkers can once again influence those decisions, while also improving their visibility, consistency and presentation,” said Brockington. “So, there is a balance between respecting what is already here and being prepared to evolve. We want Henley to retain its identity, but we also want someone playing the course in 2026 to face meaningful strategic choices. It’s about respecting the past without allowing the course to become dated by it.”