Port Ellen,
Isle of Islay, Argyll PA42 7AN
Office
+44 (0)1496 302 310Pro shop
+44 (0)1496 302 310Fax
+44 (0)1496 302 404Website
Visit websiteGolf pro
David Foley (PGA Head Professional).The Course:
18 holes. Seaside links. Undulating terrain - a few slopes to climb.
Surroundings:
Coastal duneland.
Designer:
Willie Campbell
55.661992
-6.249858
90 miles (of land and sea) W of Glasgow
By road & ferry: take the car ferry (www.calmac.co.uk) from Kennacraig to Port Ellen (approx 2 hours). From the ferry terminal in Port Ellen (on Islay), follow the A846, direction Bowmore. After 4 miles The Machrie Hotel & Golf Links entrance is on your left. By air: contact The Machrie Hotel to arrange a "Fly&Play" package, involving a short flight from Glasgow.
The Machrie Hotel & Golf Links: A trip to The Machrie is an "essential" Scottish golf experience not to be missed. Here on the Inner Hebridean island of Islay, is a full-blooded, through-the-dunes links layout that challenges and inspires in equal measure.
Occupying a stunningly unspoilt and natural setting, several holes run alongside the "Big Strand" (beach) of Laggan Bay. If you are not gazing out across the bay to the open Atlantic, you'll probably be facing inland where extensive peatlands lead up to Islay's small mountain ridge. In the far distance two of the three "Paps of Jura" can be seen, pudding-bowl mountains that are located on Islay's closest neighbouring island.
Willie Campbell's design weaves its way through impressively towering dunes. At the par-4 7th the only route to the fairway is to drive up and over a sizeable dune, one of many testing tee-shots required. On a first outing you may be left thinking there are a few too many blind shots to cope with; be assured this feeling ebbs away the more you play these spectacular links.
Many of the superb greens nestle down in sheltered hollows, sometimes (but not always) protected by well-placed pot bunkers. Deep rough is found not too far beyond the rolling fairways; beware, it is often deep and ball-swallowing rather than light and wispy.
More remote than many of Scotland's renowned seaside links, The Machrie makes up for its "splendid isolation" with a wonderfully natural, scenic and pleasantly challenging layout. All the ingredients are here for a most memorable golf break, where some enthusiastic golfers have been known to go round the course three times in a day. After all that golf, nothing goes down better than a dram or two of the local "peaty" whiskies (Laphroaig, Ardbeg and Lagavulin among them!).
Visitors welcome on weekdays and weekends.
Booking in advance is advised.
Contact club for full details, discounts, Stay&Play packages, etc. [Last updated: 2023].
Players generally walk this course. Golf carts available for hire. Limited availability of caddies (must be booked in advance).
Good
The Isle of Islay (pronounced and formerly spelt "Isla") is home to some of the biggest names in Scotch whisky - Lagavulin, Laphroaig, Bowmore, Ardbeg, Caol Ila and Port Ellen, to name a few.
The Machrie rose to prominence in 1901 when James Braid, Harry Vardon and J.H. Taylor (the "Great Triumvirate" of golf) competed for a £100 prize on the Machrie Links - possibly the first time that a prize of this amount had been offered.
Scotland's 19th best course (Golf World, 2024).
Britain & Ireland's 44th best course (Golf World, 2025).
World's 75th best public access course (Golf World, 2025).
Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, Argyll PA42 7AN
+44 (0)1496 302 310
Visit websiteFar from the madding crowd, this friendly and well-appointed hotel (and lodges) provides accommodation and excellent food. The highly-rated Machrie golf links is on-site and several world renowned whisky distilleries are in the locality. CHECK FOR CURRENT STATUS DURING REFURBISHMENT.
The Machrie
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Women’s (British) Open: the last women’s major championship of the season is hosted by Royal Porthcawl GC. It’s the first time this fabulous seaside links course has hosted the event (July 31-Aug 3).
Walker Cup: the 50th playing of this prestigious men’s amateur event sees the GB&I go head-to-head against the defending USA team at Cypress Point Club, California (Sept 6-7).
After that, all eyes turn to Bethpage State Park on Long Island, NY, where the American and defending European professional teams engage in the 45th Ryder Cup (Sept 27-29).
Lottie Woad: 21-year-old Woad burst onto the professional scene in July, with wins in the Women’s Irish Open (as an amateur) and three weeks later in the Women’s Scottish Open (as a professional). She nearly picked-up a major championship, placing third in The Evian in the same month.
Pádraig Harrington: the ever-likeable Irishman added the (British) Senior Open Championship title to his stellar array of tournament successes. His win came on Sunningdale’s spectacular Old Course. Harrington had already bagged the U.S. Senior Open title in June this year.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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