Machrihanish Golf Club Review: Golf as it's meant to be – if you can get there
GolfMagic explores Machrihanish, a remote yet world-class links course known for its authenticity and accessibility in price. The club was originally founded as The Kintyre Golf Club in 1876 before Old Tom Morris transformed it into an 18-hole course three years later.
The expansion included the iconic 1st hole, widely recognized as one of golf’s greatest opening challenges. Reaching Machrihanish is an adventure in itself; the course lies roughly 20 miles from the Mull of Kintyre, near the beach where Sir Paul McCartney filmed a music video.
The three-hour drive along the scenic A83 rewards travelers with a course ranked among the top 40 in Great Britain and Ireland, and within the top 20 in Scotland. Visitors often complement their trip with rounds at Machrihanish Dunes and Dunaverty, leaving with a richer appreciation for pure links golf.
Old Tom Morris described the land as "specifically designed by the Almighty for playing golf."
Tom Doak reflected that it's the "only course in Scotland that still seems just as raw and natural as the first time I was there 35 years ago."
Further refinements came from JH Taylor in 1914 and Sir Guy Campbell in the 1940s. Yet the layout still feels untouched by design, blending seamlessly with the natural contours of the land.
Author’s Summary
Machrihanish Golf Club delivers a pure, unspoiled links experience shaped by history, nature, and the craftsmanship of golf’s greatest figures.