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.

NB: No Spikes Of Any Kind May Be Worn In The Lounge Or Bar Area. Thank you.

Captain's Message ( January 2012 )

Captains message January 2012

May I wish all staff and members of Machrihanish Golf Club a happy and prosperous 2012.

Over the past two months the weather has been completely different from that experienced during the winter of 2011. In 2011 we had the big freeze with rendered the course unplayable for weeks at a time. This year we have experienced extremely mild and wet weather which has, unusually, left areas of the course flooded. We have also had a couple of winter storms and at one point the sea actually crossed the first fairway. Some damage has occurred to the bank adjacent to the beach and this will have to be repaired in the next three months or so prior to the start of the new season.

The middle bridge is still under repair and we have stripped off all the old wood, primed and repaired the main metal bearers. This work is taking a bit of time but with the weather being so inclement this is only to be expected. Bobby took part in a week long green keepers course which can only benefit the course in the long run. I think that it is ...Read The Full Message >

Frank McHardy, Captain