Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club

Machrihanish,

nr Campbeltown, Argyll PA28 6PT

  • Office

    +44 (0)800 151 3701 (toll free)
  • Pro shop

    +44 (0)1586 810 000
  • Fax

    +44 (0)1586 810 449

About the course

  • The Course:

    18 holes. Seaside links. Undulating terrain - several slopes to climb

  • Surroundings:

    Coastal duneland.

  • Designer:

    David McLay-Kidd

Back
tees
Club
tees
Front
tees
Yards
7175
5815
5234
Par
72
72
72
SSS or slope

Location

Latitude:

55.459930

Longitude:

-5.702945

How to get there:

6 miles W of Campbeltown

Follow the A83 through Kintyre to Campbeltown. From Campbeltown take the B842 direction Southend, then B843 direction Machrihanish. After approx 6 mls, the Village at Machrihanish Dunes is on your left, just after the Ugadale Hotel. You will be transported/directed to the golf club from here. | The golf course itself is accessed via a small road, taking you past Cambeltown Airport. 600 yds west of the B843/B842 split at Stewarton (between Cambeltown and Machrihanish), turn right, direction Campbeltown Airport. After 2.5 mls, at T-junction, turn left direction Airport. Follow road for 1.4 mls to Golf Club.

Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club

4-PLUS: Must play course - excellent standard; worthy of 4½ stars.

Est. 2009

Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club: Since 1876 golfers have plied their skills on the celebrated golf links of Machrihanish. In 2009 a second reason to make the pilgrimage to this ruggedly beautiful area of coastal sand dunes arrived on the scene. The new and separate development of Machrihanish Dunes heralded much more than just the addition of a fabulous new golf course. With the developer's masterplan came considerable financial investment. The area's accommodation also took a significant turn for the better.

Like its much older sibling to the south, the new "Mach Dunes" is laid out in an area of impressively large and natural sand dunes. David McLay-Kidd's wonderfully rugged layout required very little earthmoving to create the thrills and spills of a memorable seaside links.

As the course unfolds in its very natural habitat, the sea and distant island views (of Islay and Jura) are a joy to behold. With a blind approach shot to play at the par-4 1st hole and a blind drive at the par-4 2nd (and at some subsequent holes) a forecaddie is an essential requirement on your first round. With no buggies allowed on the course, using caddies is also recommended on subsequent rounds.

The newcomer gets even closer to the ocean than its companion, with a trio of holes running alongside Machrihanish Beach on the significantly undulating front-nine. On the inward nine, back-to-back par-3s at 14 and 15, again bring you to the water's edge. Both these short holes nestling amongst the dunes alongside the ocean.

On this Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), there are significant restrictions on cutting and chemically controlling the vegetation here. This ensures the course effortlessly retains its "golf as it used to be" credentials. It also means the fairways may not be quite as pristine as you'd like, and the rough beyond the first-cut can be seriously punishing for any wayward shots.

List of courses: Scotland - South

Visitors

Who can play and when?

Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.

Must book in advance.

Green fees

Visitor fee, 18-holes in high season (April thru' Oct): £80 (all days); day ticket £150.

Contact club for full details, discounts, Stay&Play packages, etc. [Last updated: 2022].

Other information

Machrihanish Dunes golf course is built on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The use of powered golf carts is not permitted. Players must walk with a caddie, carry their own bag or hire a push-trolley, and all players are requested to respect the environmentally sensitive areas and not play from designated wetland areas marked with red stakes.

Caddies available if pre-booked. Use of caddies is recommended. On a first visit a course guide/forecaddie will accompany your group.

Practice facilities

Excellent

Did you know?

Machrihanish Dunes was created in the early-2000s by Southworth Development, a privately-held resort & hospitality company based in Newton, Massachusetts. Their extraordinary masterplan for "The Village at Machrinhanish Dunes" brought major investment to the local area and to its golfing infrastructure and accommodations.

The 18-hole "Mach Dunes" championship golf course, Old Clubhouse (pub & restaurant) and Ugadale Cottages (top-quality accommodation) were joined in 2012 by the completely renovated Ugadale Hotel in Machrihanish and Royal Hotel in Campbeltown. Other parts of the project included a new golf clubhouse and the renovation/construction of the Residences at Machrihanish Bay (32 two-bedroom cottages and houses overlooking the golf course and Atlantic Ocean).

Published ranking

Scotland's 23rd best course (Golf World, 2022).
Britain & Ireland's 73rd best course (Golf World, 2022).

Where2Stay

  • Ugadale Hotel & Cottages5-star

    The Village at Machrihanish Dunes, Machrihanish, Argyll PA28 6NU

    +44 (0)1586 810 000

    Visit website

    The Ugadale Cottages were joined in 2012 by the completely refurbished Ugadale Hotel. Both cottages and hotel are located across from the first tee of the renowned Machrihanish Golf Club and adjacent to the Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club. Each cottage has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and lounge. The seven cottages are luxuriously appointed with all the amenities one would expect to find in world-class accommodation. The Ugadale Hotel, with 22 guest rooms, has been restored to its former glory and now serves as the centerpiece of The Village at Machrihanish Dunes.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      Machrihanish

    • Golf within 5 miles:

      Machrihanish Dunes

    • Golf within 20 miles:

      No

  • Royal Hotel4-star

    Main St, Campbeltown, Argyll PA28 6AG

    +44 (0)1586 552 017

    Visit website

    The Royal Hotel re-opened in early 2012 after a complete refurbishment. Guests at The Royal enjoy unforgettable views of Campbeltown's harbour area, with its stone piers and scenic walkways. Within the hotel, you’ll find all the contemporary conveniences and amenities you’d expect in a modern four-star accommodation, set in surroundings steeped in old-world elegance. In addition to its 23 excellently appointed guest rooms, The Royal also offers a traditional pub, function space and an elegant seafood restaurant.

    • Golf at this hotel:

      No

    • Golf within 5 miles:

      Machrihanish Dunes; Machrihanish.

    • Golf within 20 miles:

      No

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