7 Things to See at Machrihanish Golf Club

Discover an Old Tom Morris Gem in Kintyre

The Machrihanish Golf Club is the kind of place that the American golf traveler usually visits after they’ve checked the marquee destinations in Great Britain and Ireland off their list.

For some, it can take a while to get here. Which is understandable, given there are over a dozen distinct regions for golf on these two islands, each featuring several courses that are worthy of a place on the itinerary.

In both a literal and figurative sense, Machrihanish Golf Club is certainly on the road less traveled, thanks to its location on the far reaches of Scotland’s west coast.

But those who are wise enough to make the journey often come away spellbound by the enchanting links and surrounding area.

If you’ve already checked off places like St. Andrews and Muirfield on previous Scotland golf trips, there’s a good chance you’re wondering what’s next.

Here are a few reasons why Machrihanish and a golf trip to Kintyre should possibly be your choice.

Machrihanish 1st Tee

“The best opening hole in golf.”

That’s the greeting on a plaque next to the 1st hole at Machrihanish. Of course, such a proclamation is highly subjective, and many other golf clubs would claim ownership of the title.

But at Machrihanish, it feels appropriate. Especially as you stand on the tee, flanked to your left by the Atlantic, with a long expanse of beach between you and the fairway.

On a sunny day, you may have to wait for a few walkers with their dogs to pass before you decide how much of the Atlantic to take on with your drive. If you bite off too much, all is not lost… So long as the tide is out.

New Clubhouse at Machrihanish

At the end of 2018, a devastating fire engulfed the clubhouse at Machrihanish Golf Club. The quick thinking actions by staff and members saved much of the memorabilia from the club’s rich history, but the building was a total loss.

Over the next two years, Machrihanish set to the construction of a new £1.8 million clubhouse. Like its iconic first hole, the end result is nothing short of spectacular.

The view from the upstairs lounge is perhaps the finest of any clubhouse in Scotland. No round at Machrihanish is complete until you’ve savored the panorama with a favorite beverage in hand.

Photo Credit: John Gillespie

3rd Hole

Although the first hole gets much of the deserved fanfare, the front-9 at Machrihanish is filled with several memorable moments. For example, the 3rd hole illustrates the unconventional - some say, quirky - features which are commonplace on Old Tom Morris golf courses.

If you’re not a fan of blind tee shots, the drive on the 3rd hole will certainly be problematic. Not only is a red and white stake your only guide to the fairway, but the tee shot is also played directly over the 16th green.

Once you find the fairway, however, the job is not done. Although Machrihanish has relatively few bunkers, several of them strategically guard the approach to the 3rd hole. If you head to the 4th tee with a par, you’ve done quite well.

Springbank Distillery

The western reaches of Scotland are well known for their distinct whiskies. Just a few miles from Machrihanish in Campbeltown, the Springbank Distillery has been crafting Scotland’s greatest export since 1828.

Springbank takes an old school approach to the distilling process. They’re the only distiller in Scotland that handles every aspect of production in-house, from drying the barley on the wooden floors to bottling the finished whisky.

All of which makes Machrihanish and Springbank one of the great combinations for golf and whisky tours of Scotland.

4th Hole

The brilliant front-9 at Machrihanish consists of eight par-4s and one par-3. The lone short hole on the side clocks in at just 132-yards from the medal tee and demands precision.

The table-top green promises to shed anything offline into a run-off area or one of the greenside bunkers. As you can see, the latter is an outcome you’d rather avoid.

Machrihanish Dunes

Designed by David McLay Kidd of Bandon Dunes fame, Machrihanish Dunes is billed as the “world’s most natural golf course.” Despite sharing a name, Machrihanish Dunes offers a stark contrast in styles to its beloved counterpart down the road.

The greens are enormous and sometimes severe from the wrong side. It’s wild and rugged and is sure to divide opinions within your group.

Perhaps most importantly, Machrihanish Dunes also gives the traveling golfer a good reason to stay an extra day and enjoy this remarkably stunning area.

Ugadale Hotel & Cottages

Speaking of staying an extra day… The Ugadale Hotel & Cottages offers golfers the opportunity to settle in for a bit of Golf and the Good Life.

The property features a variety of comfortable lodging choices, from personal hotel accommodations to multi-bedroom lodges for your entire group. It’s also home to notable post-round dining options in the Kintyre Club and Old Clubhouse which, as the name suggests, was once the home of Machrihanish Golf Club.