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4.9
86 Reviews (86)
5 Stars
65
4 Stars
15
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.9
Value
4.7
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.9
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.0
99.1%
Recommend this course
81 out of 86 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.9
12 Reviews (12)
5 Stars
11
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
4.8
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.4
Amenities
3.7
StaffFriendliness
4.9
100.0%
Recommend this course
12 out of 12 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.9
16 Reviews (16)
5 Stars
15
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
4.8
Layout
4.8
Pace
4.6
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.9
100.0%
Recommend this course
16 out of 16 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Style Links
Par 72
Length 7082 yards
Slope 131
Rating 74.9

Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club, which opened in 2009, is the first golf course to be built on a Site of Special Scientific Interest since the days of Scottish golfing pioneer Tom Morris. The golf course is also the first 18-hole links course to be built on the west coast of Scotland in 100 years

Machrihanish Dunes' site, set against the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, featured 23 "natural holes,” and golf course architect and Scotsman David McLay Kidd, who is internationally acclaimed for his design of Bandon Dunes in Oregon and the Castle Course at St. Andrews, chose his 18 favorites. Basically, only the tees and greens were shaped. The fairways in between and almost all of the rest of the site remain just as nature made them.

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Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club
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Course Details

Year Built 2009
Golf Season Year round. High season: 4/1 - 10/30
Architect David McLay Kidd (2009) Paul Kimber (2009) Niall Glen (2009)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - £35
Pull-carts Yes
Caddies Yes
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Visa, Mastercard
Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Locker Rooms

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Scotland (2024 #13)
  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Great Britain & Ireland (2020 #11)
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Reviews

4.9
86 Reviews (86)
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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Machrihanish Dunes

The weather made this a very demanding course as the winds were very strong on the day. Great setting and in very good condition. Peter, the head steward, could not have been more helpful or welcoming to us.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 6
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Walked

This course is a must play

Machrihanish Dunes is a more natural layout than the Championship course as they were not allowed to bring in the big earth movers and diggers, therefore the fairways are quite undulating and you can get some funny lies. There is a lot of long rough so try and keep out of it as it is not easy to get out of. The greens are quite large and undulating and three puts are very easy to rack up. The course was quiet when we played (my wife and I) and we got round in about 3 and a half hours. Staff were all very friendly. Brilliant course and in good condition for this time of year (and we were midgy free)

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 100
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Top 250 Contributor
Denver Advisor
First Time Playing
Walked

The Old School Modern

Built on a Site of Scientific Interest, there were limitations on how much earth could be moved and where people could walk at Machrihanish Dunes. It might be better off; for it evokes the classics. There are approaches that are blind, tee shots that are blind and greens with undulation. The holes have some nice variety and you won't feel that you are playing some type of cookie cutter course. I think that the restrictions led to a modern natural wonder. Of all the modern Scottish courses, this is the only one with the quirk of the classics. All of the links drama is here; bump and run; wind, wind and more wind, playing with views of the sea, walking only, etc. The routing is easy so walking is a joy and not a chore. Although not as famous as it's neighbor, as long as you drove or flew out to Kintyre, you should also play here. You won't be disappointed.

There is a driving range and putting green for proper warm-up. The staff is very nice. I would listen to the starter, he has directions on the routing. I could picture people going the wrong way or aiming at the wrong flagstick. The clubhouse is quaint and the food was good. Over all, another enjoyable experience in the land of links.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Good weather
Walked

Machrihanish Dunes

Amazing course. Much recommended.
Very natural course, as each golf course shall be designed.
Fantastic vistas on the ocean.
Would love to play it again

Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 9
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing
Excellent weather
Walked

Dunes by Name and Dunes by Nature

A lovely and interesting course with a good variety of holes. With 5 sets of tees, you are able to choose the length that suits your game, and the holes all seemed fair. Some of the greens had large undulations which made approaches and putting a good challenge. Well worth a visit.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 324
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Texas Advisor
Top 10 Contributor
First Time Playing
Average weather
Walked

Remote links golf on the Mull of Kintyre

It's tough not to hum the Paul McCartney tune as you stroll these beautiful fairways in this most remote part of Scotland. Machrihanish Dunes, despite being located near historic Machrihanish Old, is a much different - yet still pure - links experience. It's been softened a bit since it opened and is quite fair, though there are still a few blind shots to navigate.

Between the two, as well as the great accommodations near the Old Course, definitely make a weekend out of these two sublime links.

Conditions Good
Value Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
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Golf Packages

Royal Portrush Golf Package

FROM $337 (USD)
NORTHERN IRELAND | Enjoy up to 7 nights accommodations at Portrush Atlantic Hotel or Bushmills Inn Hotel and up to 5 rounds at Royal Portrush - Valley Course, Royal Portrush - Dunluce Course, Castlerock Golf Club, Ballycastle Golf Course, The Riverside Course, and Portstewart - Strand Course.

West Coast Scotland Open Championship Golf Package

FROM $697 (USD)
SOUTHWEST SCOTLAND | Enjoy 7 nights' accommodations at the Marine Hotel in Troon and 5 rounds of golf at Old Course at Royal Troon Golf Club, Prestwick Golf Club, Ailsa Golf Course at Trump Turnberry, a Luxury Collection Resort, Dundonald Links, and Western Gailes Golf Club.

West Coast Scotland Hidden Gems Golf Package

FROM $327 (USD)
SOUTHWEST SCOTLAND | Enjoy 7 nights' accommodations at Piersland House Hotel and 5 rounds of golf at Western Gailes Golf Club, Dundonald Links, Gailes Links, Prestwick Golf Club, and Kilmarnock Barassie Golf Club.

Notable Northern Ireland Golf Tour

FROM $627 (USD)
NORTHERN IRELAND | Enjoy 7 nights accommodations with breakfast included (4 nights in Bushmills and 3 nights in Newcastle) and 5 rounds of golf at Royal Portrush – Dunluce Course, Portstewart – Strand Course, Castlerock, Ardglass, and Royal County Down – Championship Course.

Ballyliffin & Rosapenna Golf Package

FROM $407 (USD)
NORTHWEST IRELAND | Experience first-class links layouts at Ballyliffin Golf Club, playing 2 championship courses, this trip sure won’t be short of quality golf. Alongside a round on St Patricks Links and Old Tom Morris Links at Rosapenna, you’ll be thrilled coming home to the wonderful spa at Ballyliffin Lodge Hotel. Spend your days out playing and your evenings relaxing with this package in North West Ireland.
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