Dunaverty

Dunaverty Golf Club is one that has been around since the 1880s, and to this day, it has remained as one of the shortest golf courses in Scotland.

Despite being remodelled and extended to bring Coniegien Burn into play at times, Dunaverty still measures less than 4,800 yards from the tips.

The par 66 layouts takes you along the coastline of Scotland, with the course sitting on the southern tip of the Mull of Kintyre.

Visit Dunaverty’s website here.

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The history of Dunaverty Golf Club, like many layouts in Scotland, dates back to the late 19th Century. The club was founded in 1889 by those who were farming the local land.

The original layout was entirely on the eastern side of the Coniegien Burn, however, it was then remodelled and extended shortly prior to the Second World War.

After the war, the course fell into disrepair, but was brought back to life in the 1960s, and has continued to be a great spot for golf on the southern coastline of Scotland ever since.

The course at Dunaverty sits high above the coastline, looking down over the sea, and it is a layout where you can find yourself reaching into your golf bag for more balls, especially with a misbehaving driver on the day! There is only one par 5, on what is possibly the shortest golf course in Scotland. Dunaverty’s 18-hole offering remains just short of 4,800 yards from the tips. However, it is a par 66, thanks to its seven testing par 3s, so don’t take it for granted that you will score well!

The newer holes, on the western side of the Coniegien Burn would be what is described as a gentle start to proceedings. The opener is only 320 yards, arrow straight and with no trouble in the forms of OOB, water or sand. The 2nd is a par 3 of just 155 yards, while the 4th is slightly longer at 175. The latter is blind, and played to a slender green situated in a dell - it is the kind of hole that today's course architects dream of. In between sits another short par 4, with the 3rd being just 280 yards. The beach is on your right off the tee, but there is plenty of space for you to miss out to the left with your tee shot.

The 5th brings the burn into play for the first time, but it should not really be an issue, as it runs in front of the tee box. 5 is only 260 yards in length, and another hole where you might be tempted to go for it. However, the beach is just a few yards to the right of the putting surface. The 6th is another fine par 3, with the beach to the right and evil hollows short of the green. It is also an uncharacteristically stout 245 yards. It is followed by another short hole featuring a rare bunker – there is just one on each nine – guarding a saucer-shaped sloping green. Then the dog-leg 8th, with Sanda Island in the distance, plays along a narrow fairway with gorse aplenty in view off the tee. Again, the green is by the beach. The front nine closes with another short par 4, one that is only eight yards longer than the par 3 6th.

The shortest hole comes at 10. The opening hole on the back nine is only 123 yards from the tips, but the shallow, rectangular green is still not too easy to find. A pair of short par 4s follow. 11 is only 265 yards, with the 12th just ten yards longer. The tee box on 12 is basically on the beach, with the hole crossing over with the 9th. 13 is the only par 5 on the course, and the longest hole on the property at 465 yards. For some, that makes is a birdie chance, if not eagle. 14 is another testing par 3, one of 195 yards, and played to a square green. Anything missing the green at speed might find itself in trouble...

The closing stretch has a trio of par 4s, along with the final par 3. The 15th is a dog-leg par 4 than moves from right to left. The fairway is wide, and some will be able to take their tee shot over the corner of the dog-leg. 16 is only 150 yards. And the site of the only bunker on the back nine. It sits at the front right of this square putting surface. 'The Burn', the 412-yard 17th, has out of bounds all the way down the right that ends on a back-to-front sloping green positioned over the road and the burn. The final hole at Dunaverty is a simple par 4, one of just 320 yards, to take you back to the clubhouse. It runs parallel to the opening hole, and is almost a carbon copy of the 1st. It may only be 4,800 yards, but you will feel that you have been in a battle out there!

Where is Dunaverty Golf Club located?

Dunaverty Golf Club is situated on the very southern tip of the Mull of Kintyre, in western Scotland. The course sits on the coastline, with views out to sea and over to Sanda Island throughout a round. Campbeltown, the largest town in Kintyre, is ten miles to the north. The A83 – which runs from the town, up and around to Loch Lomond, is the closest major road. Due to the geography of Scotland, Glasgow is more than 100 miles away by road.

There are no rail services on the Mull of Kintyre. However, Campbeltown Airport – which is ten miles to the north – with flights to Glasgow Airport on a daily basis. There are also ferries from Campbeltown to Ardrossan, which sits on the Ayrshire coastline. Other than that, it is simply a long drive to get to Dunaverty.

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?

Thanks to its secluded location, there are only two other venues on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list that are in close range. Machrihanish and Machrihanish Dunes both sit around 15 miles to the northwest of Dunaverty. After that, you’ll need a ferry to visit Shiskine, The Machrie or Ardfin.

What golf facilities does Dunaverty Golf Club offer?

Due to the land constraints, Dunaverty does not have a driving range, but there are hitting nets to allow members and guests alike to warm up prior to a round. There is also a putting green next to the clubhouse and opening tee box.

What are the green fees at Dunaverty Golf Club?

The price of a green fee at Dunaverty Golf Club changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at Dunaverty, visit their website here.