Machrihanish Golf Club Review: Golf as it's meant to be — if you can get there
GolfMagic visited Machrihanish, a remote yet world-class links course that remains remarkably affordable. Originally founded as The Kintyre Golf Club in 1876, the layout was expanded to 18 holes by Old Tom Morris three years later when new land was acquired.
The course’s 1st hole has become legendary and frequently appears in discussions about the greatest opening holes in golf. The toughest part of any trip here, however, is reaching it — Machrihanish lies about 20 miles from the Mull of Kintyre, with Sir Paul McCartney famously filming a video on a nearby beach.
Those who make the scenic three-hour journey along the A83 are rewarded with a course ranked within the top 40 in Great Britain and Ireland, and in the top 20 across Scotland. Visitors often enhance their trips by also playing Machrihanish Dunes and Dunaverty, creating a memorable golfing experience.
Morris described the land here as "specifically designed by the almighty for playing golf".
Tom Doak remarked that it is the "only course in Scotland that still seems just as raw and natural as the first time I was there 35 years ago".
JH Taylor introduced some changes in 1914, while Sir Guy Campbell made further refinements in the 1940s. Despite these updates, the course still feels organic, blending seamlessly into the timeless coastal landscape.
Author’s Summary
Machrihanish Golf Club offers a rare blend of natural beauty, golf history, and authentic links play, rewarding those who endure the long yet scenic journey to its remote shores.