Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club

A true test of golf as played in the past,loved every moment.

Machrihanish Dunes was without doubt fabulous the only thing(to be expected) was the fact the greens were a bit rough but still very playable in January.The welcome we got was good considering the starter had to open up just for us!As far as the course it was a great test though we had a tough wind to contend with!!All in all a very good experience for four West coasters and I would imagine come spring/summertime the course would be fantastic.So take a chance and go and play it!!

Wow, what a great place to play.....rugged in a good way, will blow your mind in other ways.
Great greeting from the couple in the shop,
Quick practice and we were off!
Wind was well and truely up, I've played my fair share of Links courses and am a member of one. But this was proper wild, strategic position on certain holes, working from the green backwards to the tee....you can open up the shoulders on most holes, but just make sure you have more than a rough line! Managed to lose 2 balls out there for slightly miscued shots...
The greens were absolutely superb, slightly slower than I'm used too but the rain has done that....the contours and layout on the greens turn even short wedge into a great challenge as the run offs are well in play!
Managed 1 solitary birdie in the gale....some monster par 5s when off the tips, even the whites were long enough in these conditions, love the fact that you remain hidden from others on a lot of the holes....
Would love to have another round or few here...
Lovely brew afterwards, much needed after a long walk, some big gaps between holes and mega undulations, so much that my battery died just as we walked towards the clubhouse after 18! It normally lasts 2 courses...

Many thanks to all, have a go here, it takes balls in windy conditions....
I'm off 6.0, 7 here and was 11 over, made a few good up and downs!

Challenging course with too many blind drives and shots to greens and long walks from the green to tee.

This is a loverly course, and was in good general condition ,as always , greens visually did not look 100% but played well , looks like the are being protected from the weather as course was dry, bunkers are good and hidden.until a good shot rolls into them.

I am a great fan of links golf, and this is definitely links golf. What I am not a fan of is alot of blind shots, which there are at Machrihanish Dunes.
The scenery is spectacular, greens and fairways in good condition, but this is not the course for you if you have iffy leg joints.

Stunning course with excellent friendly service from the staff. We will most definitely be back.

I’ve played The Dunes 18/19 times now & it never lets you down. The welcome you get from the staff, the beautiful scenery, the imaginative layout & those amazing, undulating greens. It’s 18/19 times I’ve played it now, but I’m already booked to return in September, because it’s a privilege to play such a beautiful course & the reservations manager, the staff, the town of Campbeltown & village of Machrihanish always roll out the red carpet for us & make it a very memorable experience on every level.

Third time playing the course and the first time with a gentle breeze. The Dunes is really well named as it is built into the natural coastline with waves rolling in from the Atlantic a short way off. The greens were a little slow but that was due to a frost early morning. It’s a great walk with some distance between tees and greens. We will be back

Brilliant course in an incredible setting. The layout is spectacular, and is the scenery. The course uses the ground extremely well, albeit it makes for some exceptionally challenging holes. A must play.

Staff very friendly and the small ‘golf house’ is perfect for the venue. Only downside is how long the course is to walk.
Over 7000 yards off the back tees, and huge gaps between tees mean you probably walk an extra 1-2 miles on your round. Combined with an extremely challenging back nine this is not a course to play if you are low on energy!

A well thought out and challenging Links. The course was everything I hoped for and more. Greens were in excellent condition for the time of year and the contours make for a fascinating game. Pin positions were fair and gettable.

Both Peter and Lorna were on hand to chat in the clubhouse and I could see how passionate they are about the club and course. Great too see.

Really liked the bunkers being allowed to develop naturally. Is actually what Dumbarnie Links are trying to create (played there in August).

If in Scotland you really should make the effort to play here at least once.

I first played the course in 2012 and was smitten then - returning at least once every year. I’d say that every time I go back, the course has improved and everything else has stayed as good as the first time.
2020 has been the first time I’ve had to pay to play, but the economics of this strange year might have influenced that, coupled with the course now being rated above its illustrious neighbour (which I also hold in the highest regard) in the GB&I 100. Giving it away to residents of the hotel and cottages does seem a little wrong-headed in that light!
Had another great day, great weather, great service from Peter and Lorna, and the ever improving course in great condition for the time of year. See you again next year.

I played this course some years ago when it first opened; it was beautiful, but narrow with ball munching rough absolutely everywhere. What a difference time makes. The course is still beautiful but now much more open and playable, and all the better for it. Players of all standard can have so much fun;; if you are a short hitter you may have to think about where you want to start some holes. I was glad to have my electric trolley, as the course is undulating. There are blind shots, but trust that if you hit at the marker posts the course will open up, and if you are wayward there is a now a good chance in a lot of places that you will find your ball. I arrived very early, received a very pleasant welcome and was invited to just go ahead as the course was quiet. There is a small very adequate club house, as I had a long drive ahead I hoped to have a bacon roll when I finished but on this day at 2:30 the kitchen was already closed for grilled food. However this did not spoil my enjoyment of having played this spectacular golf course. If you like links golf, the welcome and scenery mean you should definitely have a go. I know I want to come back soon.

This is an amazing course, first time we have played it when there was a substantial breeze.
The wind made it pay much trickier, depending on heading into or out of the wind. Driver into wind 180yds, driver with wind behind 275yds made for unusual club selections. Greens very dry and slick on the day made it difficult to keep the ball on the putting surface. Course in great condition rough very punishing but a great challenge on the day.

Played here on a sunny day with a breeze and my husband. Gentle start with some very interesting holes on the front nine. Both played these under our handicaps and turned for the tenth thoroughly enjoying ourselves. That’s when we ran into trouble. The back nine is a much tougher challenge. Blind tee shots with marker posts to aim for, hidden greens again with a marker post. A lot more hills and places you don’t want to go. Both came off the course feeling thoroughly dejected and beaten up by the wind. However, playing it a second time with what we learned the first time would make it more enjoyable. Don’t get lulled into a false sense of security. Long walks between greens and next tee.