Machrihanish Golf Club | Scottish Links Golf

Welcome To The Machrihanish Golf Club

Machrihanish has become well known in the last few years mainly because of its exceptional first hole which requires the round's opening shot to carry the Atlantic. It is a tough start, particularly into a breeze.

The course is set in wonderful dunes in the small village of Machrihanish, which is situated on the western side of the remote Kintyre Peninsula; this is where the sky is big, the sunsets are dramatic and the air has been warmed by the Gulf Stream and its relative inaccessibility has saved it from becoming more commercialised.

It is a joy to play and, most of the time, very quiet, allowing the visitor to relish the ups and downs of the fairways and the tussle with undulating greens. There are also arresting views across to the islands of Jura and Islay, which provide a delightful backdrop on an idyllic summer's day with the firm Machrihanish turf underfoot, the majesty of the dunes, and wheeling seabirds providing the only sound.

It is a varied test for the competent golfer, the layout is not just a predictable nine out, and nine back. The classic links holes, apart from the 1st, are the 5th, another par four with its fairway like an elephant's graveyard, the 10th, a clever dogleg par five and the 15th, a one shotter with real difficulty if the elusive green is missed from the tee.

View photos of the tee and layout of each hole in our Course Guide.

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Captain's Message ( April 2013 )

First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to our wonderful Golf Club at Machrihanish. It is a truly magnificent place to play golf.

To find this golfing gem, you can take a short flight of approximately 25 minutes from Glasgow, or alternatively, you can travel by car, approximately a 3 hour drive from Glasgow, through some of the most breathtaking scenery you will ever see in Scotland.

Once you arrive at Machrihanish, you will be met by Ian and his staff, who will make sure that you are suitably fed and watered, be it soft drinks or some of our finest local Springbank whisky.

After partaking of light refreshments, the walk to the first tee will be full of trepidation and excitement knowing that you have one of the most difficult opening tee shots in the world of golf. Taking on the Atlantic Ocean with a stiff breeze coming off the sea, our Professional, Ken and his staff will be only too willing to give you advice on how to take this challenging tee shot. Once you have successfully crossed the Atlantic, the golf course does not end there. Designed by Old Tom Morris, and originally described as one of the most natural links in Scotland, it meanders through the sand dunes with each golf hole set in such a way that you are required to play a variety of shots such as fade, draw, bump and run or a high lob.

At times during your round, because of the brilliant design and the dunes to your left and right, you will think you are the only person playing the course.

On completing your round, you will suddenly realise that 4 ...

Angus Brown, Captain
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