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Machrihanish Dunes

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Address: Machrihanish Dunes, Machrihanish, CAMPBELTOWN, PA28 6NU
Telephone: 01586 554411
Web: www.machrihanishdunes.com
Course: Par 72 (7,300 yards)
Green fees: Between £52 and £95.
Facilities: Pro shop, Practice green, Driving range, Trolley hire, Bar, Buggy hire, Club hire, Restaurant
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Course information

Machrihanish has become well known in the last few years mainly because of its exceptional first hole which requires the round's opening shot to carry the Atlantic. It is a tough start, particularly into a breeze.

The course is set in wonderful dunes in the small village of Machrihanish, which is situated on the western side of the remote Kintyre Peninsula; this is where the sky is big, the sunsets are dramatic and the air has been warmed by the Gulf Stream and its relative inaccessibility has saved it from becoming more commercialised.

It is a joy to play and, most of the time, very quiet, allowing the visitor to relish the ups and downs of the fairways and the tussle with undulating greens. There are also arresting views across to the islands of Jura and Islay, which provide a delightful backdrop on an idyllic summer’s day with the firm Machrihanish turf underfoot, the majesty of the dunes, and wheeling seabirds providing the only sound

Today's Golfer Expert Review

The Machrihanish Dunes officially opened on May 2nd and is the first course to be plotted on a Site of Scientific Interest. Created by top designer David McLay Kidd, who admits it was a fairly straightforward job - certainly easier than the Castle Course project at St Andrews. He said "We designed each hole around the natural terrain. For maintenance, we'll do a little mowing, but will mostly rely on the wandering sheep to keep the fescue in check - just like the old courses used to do.

This truly wonderful, natural links opened in the summer and is plotted on a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It was designed by David McLay Kidd although the designer conceded it was a fairly straightforward task. “We followed the lie of the land and designed each hole around the natural terrain.”

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