Course review: Machrihanish Golf Club

Nick putts out at Machrihanish Golf Club while his caddie tends the pin.

If you’re trekking all the way to Campbeltown, it’s to play both courses at Machrihanish. This small village is based just outside of Campbeltown—the furthest southwest point of the country—making it a serious commitment to see. 

The Google maps directions alone are a trip: get to Glasgow then drive another 3.5 hours—first counterintuitively north, then straight south down a narrow peninsula. Make sure you’ve got a full tank or you’re really taking your chances with gas (petrol) stations and cell service. 

Haley and Nick stands on the first tee at Machrihanish Golf Club.

The original track, designed by Old Tom himself, claims the title of best opening hole in Scotland—there’s nothing quite like walking to the first tee and seeing how much beach you need to cover with our first swing of the day. 

Haley walks through the undulating dunes at Machrihnaish.

This course is as playful as they come. Navigating through and around huge dunes made it hard to imagine how anyone in the last 1800s could possibly have moved dirt around to shape fairways and greens out here. 

There’s even more fun golf in this neck of the woods. If you’re making the trip, Dunaverty and the 9-hole loop at Carradale are highly touted by the locals.