New Links Course Coming to Machrihanish?

First I couldn’t help share this image I came across this week. The rugged bunker look, exposed sand edges, that textbook grip, big trench coats. The dunescape…the great outdoors!

Journeys - Machrihanish

Journeys are a way I can share my impressions of links golf trips which I’ll make this year. First up - Machrihanish where I spent three days revisiting one of my favourite links golf destinations in the country. (I wouldn’t suggest February as an optimal travel window!)

Three hours drive from Glasgow and over four from St Andrews or Edinburgh, getting here has never been easy. Located on the southern tip of the Scottish mainland on a peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean, nearly touching Northern Ireland, the hairraising drive on narrow roads that past lochs and mountains isn’t for the faint of heart.

I would have Machrihanish Old Course in my top five golf courses in Scotland. The club dates back to 1876 with the course laid out by Old Tom Morris. The village is no more than a row of houses but the golf remains much like it has always been. From an opening drive over the Atlantic before a stretch of holes from the 3rd which are hard to match anywhere. Playing here feels timeless. Talking of which, the club celebrates their 150th anniversary this year with a host of celebrations planned.

Like many links courses in the UK and Ireland, Machrihanish has seen a steady rise in visitor numbers which now surpass 6,500 rounds and almost double pre-covid. The club also has approximately 900 out of town members and are in the midst of converting a four bedroom dormie house next to their new clubhouse.

Out of town (overseas) membership is less than £500 and still available

Reminiscing of sunnier times and my previous visit to Machrihanish last July. A sunny, two-club wind and a round with world No.6 Bob MacIntyre. Bob, who I’ve got to know since the first day he stepped foot on the DP World Tour, had just returned home from a runner-up finish at the US Open and with his title defence at the Genesis Scottish Open coming up, I talked him into playing some links golf.

With a Sunday bag over his shoulder, I watched Bob bunt his way through the dunes in complete control of his game. Manipulating ball flights and entertaining the growing number of locals who joined us on the back nine. It was an effortless 66. Better still, the Honorary Machrihanish Golf Club member even bought his pals a post-round beer!  

You can watch Bob’s front nine highlights at Machrihanish Golf Club here.

Next up on the road trip was Machrihanish Dunes. A course which in truth, I want to love but don’t…yet.

Built on a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), resulting in one of the most environmentally sensitive golf courses ever created. A true standard bearer that golf and nature can not just coexist harmoniously but together can flourish. Designed by renowned architect and Scot David McLay Kidd who has strong family ties to the area, the course was forced to meet some strict environmental guidelines and mitigate certain sensitive dune areas on the site. The golf offered is authentic, old fashioned links golf but results in some lengthy walks between green and tees and a flow to a round that in my experience doesn’t quite land. 

I was therefore keen to learn more about the plans of a second golf course which had been granted planning permission last year. The ownership Southworth, an established Boston-based golf and real estate family office are aiming to further develop the neighbouring linksland, maximising the coastal views and exploring ways to better connect the existing golf on offer.

With no architect appointed yet, plans rest on establishing enhanced flight connections from Campbeltown Airport which the resort boarders. Southworth are working with the airport and other stakeholders to run “proof of concept” charter flights from London Gatwick, flying from London on Thursday before returning Sunday evening.

Date of flights

• Thursday 4th – 7th June 2026

• Thursday 27th – 30th August 2026

• Thursday 24th – 27th September 2026

Flight package include golf, lodging and food. More information here or by contacting booking enquiries: [email protected]

(Please consider sharing with a golf friend in London who loves links golf)

Final stop was Dunaverty Golf Club, a 20 minute drive from the other two courses. This 9 hole golf course is something you might imagine only exists on a video game or on a postcard.

The weather wasn’t kind but it made for a memorable battle against nature. This place is a time machine and a reminder to us spoilt golfers that links golf was once rough around the edges. A sole greenkeeper finds the warmth of his tractor, soon to be supported by the grazing animals that help with a more intense rough management plan in summer months.

A summer day pass is less than £100.

Trip scorecard

Lay our heads at the Machrihanish Dunes Cottages

Golf at Machrihanish Golf Club, Machrihanish Dunes & Dunaverty Golf Club

Dinner and beer at Royal Golf Hotel, Campbeltown

Coffee at Fresh Connection + shopping at Cadenhead's Whisky Shop - Scotland’s Oldest Independent Bottler both located in Campbeltown

Two golf dogs spotted

Reads, Listens & Links

Will Zalatoris recounts his love of St Andrews and our golf culture (Fried Egg Podcast from 54.20 mark)

Gullane Golf Club refurbish 79 pot bunkers

Gang raids iconic St Andrews golf shop

Recommended Reading - Building Carne Links (Book Review)

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Cheers, Ru Macdonald