Written by Phil Bedford
Is it the destination or is it the journey? In this case, it is unequivocally both, especially with the new development coming at Machrihanish Dunes…
If you have ever been to Machrihanish to play golf then you will understand. If not, I will explain. My trip was to visit Machrihanish Dunes to learn all about their proposed new golf course and hotel and leisure complex.
Machrihanish Dunes, designed by Scottish architect David McLay Kidd, was the UK’s first-ever GEO-certified golf course. The resort currently includes two historic hotels, restored to modern hospitality standards, five restaurants and pubs, and eight golf cottages.
We drove from Glasgow and relaxed into the three hour car journey that takes you through lochs and glens and mountain passes, over waterfalls and rivers and finally you reach the Wild Atlantic Coast for a breathtaking last thirty miles or so. It is hard to do it justice with words so you are best to find out for yourselves as it is so worth it.
On arrival, we were met by the team from Machrihanish Dunes who we then spent the rest of the day with, learning all about the plans for their destination project.
A new course will be laid out on existing dune land and will meander inland into marshland and rolling farmland. The head greenkeeper insisted that the course will play the same throughout and he intends to let it get firm and fast whenever possible which was great to hear.
The rest of the complex will consist of a hotel and numerous lodging accommodations. They have a plan that golf will be just one of 45 leisure activities available!
Our accommodation for the night was at the Ugadale Hotel in Machrahanish. My room faced the beach and the best opening hole in golf!
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Day two was all about the golf and playing the stunning dunes course. The weather was perfect, with a gentle 20mph breeze and stunning skies. Due to the course being laid out on land that is part of a Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI), the greens and tees can be treated and manicured but the rest of the land is left to nature. This makes it unique in its own right but you never get a bad lie and for the most part it actually enhances your golfing experience.
The fairways are generous but if you miss them, it is usually a hack out with a wedge back into play and move on. The fairways are undulating in places and the greens are sometimes on the crazy side but they do give you a chance as you can use the slopes to move your ball towards any tricky pins.
A few blind shots await but we were guided superbly by our fore caddie and as they say, they are only blind once. Be prepared for an attack on the senses as the views can be mesmerizing and some of the tee boxes that line the outer edges of the course give rise to stunning views along the beach and towards the paps of Jura and Islay.
The course has a great mix of holes and the stunning par 3 6th hole would be my favourite, playing into a corner site with the ocean and beach close to the right side of the hole. Using the slope on the right and avoiding the cavernous front left bunker, a satisfying par was made.
We played all 18 with a smile on all of our faces and agreed it is a fun course whilst testing all of our skills, so don’t hesitate to put it towards the top of your must play courses.
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Planning permission has been granted for a second championship links, third luxury hotel, 50 golf cottages, a clubhouse and a variety of resort amenities at Machrihanish Dunes.
The new course sits, in part, on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and will be created and maintained using the same sustainable practices in use on the existing course. The new 18-hole routing will meet Machrihanish Dunes in the linksland along the ocean’s edge and meander its way through the rugged dunescape and into the foothills, creating a unique design that features a mix of awe-inspiring views, dramatic elevation changes and traditional seaside links.
One of the largest teaching facilities in the UK is planned for the site, with indoor and outdoor practice bays, and a nine-acre short-game area. To complement the golf amenities, a new sports and racquet centre will provide visitors with state-of-the-art tennis, pickleball and football facilities.
The development will also include a 35,000-square-foot clubhouse with a 150-seat restaurant and a large function room ideal for weddings and corporate events. The clubhouse will also be home to an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, fitness area and spa for members to use at their leisure.
The whole development at Machrihanish Dunes will be a fantastic addition to the Scottish golfing landscape and I for one cannot wait to see the finished article.
About Phil Bedford:
Phil Bedford is a panellist for NCG Top 100s course rankings. He is a lover of links golf, on fast and firm turf!
Now have your say
Have you ever been fortunate enough to play at Machrihanish Dunes? Will it be on your list now you know about the development that is planned for Machrihanish Dunes? Let us know your thoughts with a post on X, formerly Twitter!
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