GolfPass Icon
Rating Index Rating
Tooltip Information Icon
4.6
65 Reviews (65)
5 Stars
45
4 Stars
14
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
1
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.2
Value
4.5
Layout
4.6
Friendliness
4.8
Pace
4.9
Amenities
3.5
87.4%
Recommend this course
60 out of 65 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
5.0
1 Reviews (1)
5 Stars
1
4 Stars
0
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
5.0
Value
5.0
Layout
5.0
Pace
5.0
Amenities
3.0
StaffFriendliness
4.0
100.0%
Recommend this course
1 out of 1 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.8
4 Reviews (4)
5 Stars
3
4 Stars
1
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.5
Layout
4.5
Pace
5.0
Amenities
4.0
StaffFriendliness
4.8
75.0%
Recommend this course
3 out of 4 reviews
Read Reviews

About

Holes 18
Type Resort
Style Links
Par 72
Length 7082 yards
Slope 131
Rating 74.9

Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club, which opened in 2009, is the first golf course to be built on a Site of Special Scientific Interest since the days of Scottish golfing pioneer Tom Morris. The golf course is also the first 18-hole links course to be built on the west coast of Scotland in 100 years

Machrihanish Dunes' site, set against the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, featured 23 "natural holes,” and golf course architect and Scotsman David McLay Kidd, who is internationally acclaimed for his design of Bandon Dunes in Oregon and the Castle Course at St. Andrews, chose his 18 favorites. Basically, only the tees and greens were shaped. The fairways in between and almost all of the rest of the site remain just as nature made them.

Book a Tee Time at
Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club
Powered by GolfNow.co.uk

Course Details

Year Built 2009
Golf Season Year round. High Season: 4/1 - 10/30
Architect David McLay Kidd (2009) Paul Kimber (2009) Niall Glen (2009)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes - £20
Clubs Yes
Pull-carts Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Caddies Yes
Teaching Pro Yes
Putting Green Yes

Policies

Walking Allowed Yes

Food & Beverage

Bar, Restaurant

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Locker Rooms

Accolades

  • Golf Advisor: Top Courses in Great Britain & Ireland (2020 #11)

Reviews

4.6
65 Reviews (65)
Advanced Filters
Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
4.0
Previously Played

Mach dunes

The greensand tees on the course are first class but the fairways are poor compared to when I last played the course in June this year .I believe that there may have been some kind of disease affecting the fairways and did intend asking the staff at the end of our round but heavy rain meant we packed up quickly and left.The real problem for me at this course is not the length of the playing surface ,but the extremely long distances from green to the next tee,which leads to a round taking four and a half hours plus.It’s a shame that buggies are not allowed except when driven by their staff.I am aware of the excuses offered ie the protection of the conservation areas and the difficult terrain.However the conservation areas are well signposted and the terrain is no more difficult that that of the old Machrihanish course .I may also add that the dog walkers are not as well educated about the conservation areas than the golfers.I believe that the course is under used because of the lack of buggies.(that Saturday morning only 10 cars in the car park,including our car and probably at least one staff car.Not many other courses on a Saturday morning are reflected in these kind of numbers )

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Peter the starter was such a great host and very informative

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Truly an Amazing experience

What a course one of the best I’ve played really lucky with the weather sunny and not too much wind.
Course was truly amazing seriously impressed if you haven’t been there you need to get there and have a couple of rounds layout great but the views take your breath away just wanted to take photos on every hole..

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once every three months
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Winter Dunes

Beautiful natural golf course. The environment and layout make for a unique adventure.
The greens and tees were in very good condition especially given the time of year. Great to play of grass tees in January and play of fairways as in the summer. With no mats or lift and place in the rough.
Finding your way to the correct tee at times could be difficult Leading to more time and walking. The flags were also wrapped which made it harder to see them. Both of theses issues most likely related to it being the winter.
The cost of the round was only £25 which was great value. Would definitely recommend playing the Dunes.

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Cracking Course

Best course I've ever played, I was blessed with some nice weather and thoroughly enjoyed my round! Would recommend to anyone!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 3
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Superb day

Met by Andy who went above and beyond in his hospitality to us, course was stunning, tricky but not too tricky! Greens had just been sanded so a little slower than normal but did not diminish our round..

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Unique, challenging and long

Unfortunately we thought we were playing the main course so we’re a little disappointed. The deal quoted was not as good as thought as only £80 to play round and had been led to believe it was £99 so not such a good deal as promised. That said course was a one of and once got used to crazy layout was a fun if arduous game

Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Average
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

Fantastic golf course!

Challenging golf course for every level of golfer! most 'natural' golf course I've played with the slopes on and off the greens providing a challenge on most shots and character to each hole . Plenty of practice facilites to warm up before your round including a short game area and driving range before you head up into the dunes. After your round in probably the smallest clubhouse I've ever seen you will be able to get a bite to eat from frendly staff before setting off home.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Battered but fun

The newer of the two links courses at Machrihanish it’s quite a walk, especially when the wind is up. A few treks between greens and tees but some glorious sights to behold. Generous fairway, large greens and not-too-penal bunkering make this a most enjoyable challenge….and a welcome addition to its older neighbor. Play both!

Conditions Good
Value Excellent
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
1.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Too many blind shots and hidden greens.

Many holes had blind tee shots and greens were not visible from fairways. Poorly designed.

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Poor
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 20
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Golfing nirvana

Played on a beautiful warm relatively windless day-on arrival starter was helpful and informative.
Course itself was excellent, decent fairways and unbelievable undulating greens, absolutely loved them.
After round, sandwiches capped off a tremendous day and back to the Isle of Arran, our accommodation.
Truly one of the best golfing experiences of my life and can't wait to come back having wanted to play this course for yrs.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Walked

Loving the Machrihanish Dunes

Enjoyed the windy weather even though it was challenging.
The course was in very good condition greens were very nice.
The sheep were very welcoming around the clubhouse
there was a small downpour when we were on the 9th and the course wasn't busy so we popped in
for a soup it was nice after 9 holes and continued on lovely views from the 10th mind the electric fence to the right.
All in All very happy with experience
Definitely going to return.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Fantastic experience

This venue is a must for golfers of all levels
The full experience was even better than expected

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 10-14
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Windy weather
Walked

Interesting but conditioning poor

This is an interesting and challenging layout, with significant undulations and long walks between holes, reflecting the design ethos and environmental considerations in building the course. I have heard good things about the venue but sadly the quality was not great. I understand there have been some green keeping staffing challenges over the last six months, which was evident from the course conditioning, most notably the fairways. There are many, many blind tee shots, and approach shots into hidden greens, so if that is not your thing, this course might not be for you. There is a very small "clubhouse", with a few tables for basic food (soup, sandwiches, snacks) and toilets, but that's all. Would be interested to play the course in good condition.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
First Time Playing

Great design

We were pleased to get a great deal through golfpass, as paying full price would not have been nice, as they have only had a head green keeper for 3 weeks after not having one for 6 months. As you can expect the course was in poor condition. The design is fantastic and the lady was very friendly in the clubhouse.

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
2.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Condition issues , a value for money issues

I have played this since it’s opened, it’s a good layout and normally ok conditions, this time greens were almost a joke , grass was longer than the fairway,spoiling a good day putting was pointless, 1 green was not in use , I think what makes it feel worse is the £90 green now being asked , even at the golf now discounted rate it not good, sorry Dunes you have try harder for increased revenue, even Carradale had better green condition , I am seriously disappointed Dunavaty the following day, showed it to me a dunes issue not an area problem

Conditions Poor
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

MachDunes

Superb location and layout.
Condition is needing attention and hopefully this can be addressedss weather improves.
Really enjoyed the round and would play again.

Conditions Fair
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Average
Played On
Reviews 1
Handicap 5-9
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Perfect weather
Walked

Best Course

Loved every minute of playing on the Dunes course.

Conditions Average
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Fair
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Nearby Courses
Campbeltown, Argyll
Public
4.9682571429
19
Campbeltown, Argyll
Public
0.0
0
Southend, Argyll
4.0
1
Carradale, Argyll
Resort
0.0
0
Blackwaterfoot, Isle of Arran
4.2948647059
56
Machrie Bay, Isle of Arran
0.0
0
Kintyre, Isle of Gigha
0.0
0
Lochranza, Isle of Arran
0.0
0
Golf Packages

Royal Portrush Golf Package

FROM $487 (USD)
NORTHERN IRELAND | Enjoy 7 nights bed & breakfast at the Bushmills Inn and 5 rounds of golf at The Strand course at Portstewart Golf Club, Dunluce Course at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Valley Course at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Castlerock Golf Club, The Riverside Course at Portstewart Golf Club.

West Coast Scotland Hidden Gems Golf Package

FROM $327 (USD)
SOUTHWEST SCOTLAND | Enjoy 7 nights' accommodations at Piersland House Hotel and 5 rounds of golf at Western Gailes Golf Club, Dundonald Links, Gailes Links, Prestwick Golf Club, and Kilmarnock Barassie Golf Club.

West Coast Scotland Open Championship Golf Package

FROM $697 (USD)
SOUTHWEST SCOTLAND | Enjoy 7 nights' accommodations at the Marine Hotel in Troon and 5 rounds of golf at Old Course at Royal Troon Golf Club, Prestwick Golf Club, Ailsa Golf Course at Trump Turnberry, a Luxury Collection Resort, Dundonald Links, and Western Gailes Golf Club.

Ballyliffin & Rosapenna Golf Package

FROM $407 (USD)
NORTHWEST IRELAND | Experience first-class links layouts at Ballyliffin Golf Club, playing 2 championship courses, this trip sure won’t be short of quality golf. Alongside a round on St Patricks Links and Old Tom Morris Links at Rosapenna, you’ll be thrilled coming home to the wonderful spa at Ballyliffin Lodge Hotel. Spend your days out playing and your evenings relaxing with this package in North West Ireland.

Royal County Down Golf Package

FROM $577 (USD)
NORTHERN IRELAND | Enjoy 7 nights bed & breakfast at the Slieve Donard Resort and 5 rounds of golf at Annesley Links at Royal County Down Golf Club, Ardglass Golf Club, Championship Links at Royal Country Down Golf Club (x2 rounds), and Royal Belfast Golf Club.
Now Reading