Machrihanish Dunes
Machrihanish Dunes | NCG Top 100s : GB & Ireland Golf Courses
Rankings
5th
37th
59th
81st
Not to be confused with the neighbouring Machrihanish Golf Club, Machrihanish Dunes has only been open since 2009, but it has already garnered a reputation for being a stunning golf course.
130 years on from Old Tom Morris laying out the old Machrihanish course, David McLay Kidd designed Machrihanish Dunes, which was set among the dunes of the Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI).
130 years on from Old Tom Morris laying out the old Machrihanish course, David McLay Kidd designed Machrihanish Dunes, which was set among the dunes of the Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Since it's opening, Machrihanish Dunes has turned itself into a full-scale resort, with accommodation on offer for those that make the long journey to the Kintyre Peninsula.
Play on the NCG Top 100s Tour!
Book your spot to play at Machrihanish Dunes on the NCG Top 100s Tour in 2026 here.
You can also play at Machrihanish Dunes as part of our Kintyre Peninsula Swing.
Read our full piece on the Machrihanish Dunes resort here.
Visit the Machrihanish Dunes website here.
Read our full piece on the Machrihanish Dunes resort here.
Visit the Machrihanish Dunes website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.
Advertisement
A Brief History of Machrihanish Dunes
Golf has been played in Machrihanish since the late 1870s, when the four-time Open Championship winner Old Tom Morris laid out the first course in the region.
It was 130 years before Machrihanish Dunes opened, with David McLay Kidd in charge of the design. The Scot spent his youth in the region, and his layout runs between the dunes of the area, neighbouring Morris' design at the Machrihanish Golf Club.
The course opened in 2009, and Machrihanish Dunes is the only course in the world to have been designed and laid out on a Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI).
It was 130 years before Machrihanish Dunes opened, with David McLay Kidd in charge of the design. The Scot spent his youth in the region, and his layout runs between the dunes of the area, neighbouring Morris' design at the Machrihanish Golf Club.
The course opened in 2009, and Machrihanish Dunes is the only course in the world to have been designed and laid out on a Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Machrihanish Dunes Review | NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Courses
Advertisement
David McLay Kidd was the man to lay out the design of Machrihanish Dunes, though much of the course was already set out among the dunes. Thanks to the natural landscape, only the tees and greens were shaped, with the grass just being mown to create the fairways of the course. Kidd also designed Bandon Dunes and the Castle Course at St Andrews. At more than 7,000 yards from the tips, it is safe to say that Machrihanish Dunes is a tough test for anyone's game!
The course begins with a tricky dog-leg left par 4, one of only 340 yards, but the green poses a challenge simply due to its unique design. At 473 yards, the 2nd is a brutal par 4 to follow. The aiming point off the tee is down the left side of the fairway, but that only makes the second shot on this dog-leg right longer. The 3rd is the first of the three par 5s on the layout - which are all amongst the four hardest holes. It is almost 595 yards from the tips, with a solitary fairway bunker on the outside corner of this slight dog-leg left. One more sits to the front left of the green, but this is a true three-shotter.
The 4th is a drivable par 4 for the longer hitters, at just 310 yards from the back tees. With the wind behind, this is very reachable. Another feature of the Machrihanish Dunes layout is that there are back-to-back par 3s on the front nine – the 5th and 6th holes. The former plays towards the Atlantic Ocean, with the backdrop of the water behind the green. The 6th then plays back inland, with the tee box almost on the beach. It is only 140 yards from the tips and plays to a shallow green.
The 7th is a bigger version of the opening hole. At 460 yards, it is another tough par 4, one that moves from right to left. The 8th is the longest hole on the property at 620 yards from the back tees. Six bunkers come into play in the last 50 yards, with one strategically placed behind the putting surface to catch any approach shots that are run through the green. The front nine closes with great par 4. A bunker sits on the outside corner of this dog-leg right, but beyond that, there is plenty of space to find.
10 and 11 are medium-length par 4s, with the former taking you down towards the coastline. The Atlantic Ocean comes into play on the right side of the 11th, with the green next to the beach. Anything right of the putting surface on your approach will be in trouble. The 12th is the last par 3 at Machrihanish Dunes, and the centre of the green sits behind the bunker in front of the putting surface. A trio of par 4s follows, with the landing zone on 13 being one of the widest on the property. At just 330 yards, the 14th is one of the best birdie chances on the back nine, with a wide fairway and what should be just a wedge or low iron into the green with your second shot.
The closing stretch begins with the 15th, where the Atlantic Ocean is on your left for a change. A decent carry is required from the tee, but again, there is a generous fairway to find. The 16th, the last par 5 on the course, is also the hardest. Again, with the beach and ocean to your left, but this time, the fairway is much narrower. The green takes you back towards the beach even more, with short being the miss. Don't go long over the back of 16...
The last two holes at Machrihanish Dunes are both tough dog-legs to the left. The penultimate hole is 450 yards from the tips, and you must aim out to the right, as that is where the fairway lies. It is then a sharp turn to the left before you play your approach to a long and narrow surface. Another decent carry is required on the 18th, but from there, a large green awaits your second shot, with just a couple of bunkers to the right of the surface.
Our Panellists Notes for 2026
Michael Verity: Minimalist course on protected land. Ample room off the tee with plenty of jeopardy around the greens providing the challenge.
Neil White: Machrihanish Dunes is a rather lovely curiosity. We found its mix of short doable par 4s, very tricky longer holes and testing par 3s rather intoxicating.
Oliver Baker: One of my favourite modern courses. With such restrictions on land usage, David McLay Kidd has done a great job here, a real fun course to play out in the wilds.
Stuart Bennett: Challenging from the tee and then so much fun on the greens.
Michael Atkinson: Dramatic dunes, carefully crafted holes, fast greens, a romance to it, in part as it is so hard to get to, but well worth it!
David Walker: David McLay Kidd's design weaves through towering marram grasses and towering dunes and can be extremely challenging with blind shots, massive bunkers and uneven lies. Tthis is a real challenge but you will always have the incredible views of Machrihanish Bay if your golf is not up to standard.
Read more about our panellists here.
Advertisement
FAQs about Machrihanish Dunes
Where is Machrihanish Dunes located?
Machrihanish Dunes is one of the westernmost venues that has a place on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. It is in the Scottish county of Argyll and based on the Kintyre Peninsula. Campbeltown is five miles to the east of the venue.
Campbeltown Airport is the nearest to Machrihanish Dunes. It is just a couple of miles down the road, and only one service runs from Campbeltown. That is a Loganair service to Glasgow which flies twice a day in both directions. Glasgow Airport then offers flights around Europe and to some destinations further afield.
Machrihanish Dunes is one of the westernmost venues that has a place on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. It is in the Scottish county of Argyll and based on the Kintyre Peninsula. Campbeltown is five miles to the east of the venue.
Campbeltown Airport is the nearest to Machrihanish Dunes. It is just a couple of miles down the road, and only one service runs from Campbeltown. That is a Loganair service to Glasgow which flies twice a day in both directions. Glasgow Airport then offers flights around Europe and to some destinations further afield.
Are there any NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?
Machrihanish Dunes is one of three venues on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list that call the Kintyre Peninsula home. Machrihanish is next door to Mach Dunes, while Dunaverty is around ten miles to the south of the resort.
Machrihanish Dunes is one of three venues on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list that call the Kintyre Peninsula home. Machrihanish is next door to Mach Dunes, while Dunaverty is around ten miles to the south of the resort.
What golf facilities does Machrihanish Dunes offer?
Along with the championship level golf course, Machrihanish Dunes also has a full-length driving range which can be used year-round. There is also a large putting green which has similar contours and undulations to those you will find on the golf course.
What are the green fees at Machrihanish Dunes?
The price of a green fee at Machrihanish Dunes changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.
The price of a green fee at Machrihanish Dunes 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 Machrihanish Dunes, visit their website here.
Play on the NCG Top 100s Tour!
Book your spot to play at Machrihanish Dunes on the NCG Top 100s Tour in 2026 here.
Read our full piece on the Machrihanish Dunes resort here.
Visit the Machrihanish Dunes website here.
Visit the Machrihanish Dunes website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.
Website
https://machrihanishdunes.com/Phone
+44 (0) 1586 810000Address
Argyll, Campbeltown PA28 6TJCourse Reviews
0.0 | 0 reviews
