The Machrie...worth the trip?

[Brian_Gracely]

I have a friend that is planning a trip to Scotland this summer and is considering a few days in Islay.  And experiences on the travel, the course and the accomodations?  He's played a good number of the courses in Scotland as he spent a few years in school, so he's looking at some new destinations.  Is it worthwhile vs. some of the other far-reaching outposts (ie. Machrihanish, Royal Dornoch, etc.)?  

[Darren_Kilfara]

To answer your final question, Brian: no. It's a neat little course with some wild terrain and a number of cute greensites, but it can't hold a candle to Machrihanish or (especially) Dornoch, given how far off the beaten path it is. Machrihanish is miles away from anywhere - nearly four hours from Glasgow, and at least five from Inverness - and yet visiting Islay involves an expensive 90-minute (or is it two-hour?) ferry ride which effectively makes it even further away than Machrihanish is. Is it worth visiting? Yes, especially if you're already on Islay anyway. But if you were ranking all of the courses in Scotland for quality, cost and ease of travel, the Machrie would be way down the list...

Cheers,
Darren

[Bill Weber]

Absolutely worth the effort, which if playing Machrihanish, doesn't take too much more time. Perfect bookends.
I wasn't thrilled with the Machrie Hotel but found a terrific B&B nearby, Glenmachrie, run by Rachel Whyte. Great food and really nice accomodations. Tel. 01496 30 2560
Easy ferry ride and check out town of Tarbert near ferry before ride to Machrie.
Finegan write up hits it close, driveway is now paved.

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Darren either lives in Campletown or did last year. I trust what he says. However, If I were already there, hell yes I would play there and twice. I would also find a way to Machrihanish for as much golf as his spouse will allow for. It is one of the great courses in the world. Brian, you would love it.In fact I am a little disappointed the Painswick event isn't being held at Machrihanish. I will go to Painswich knowing it and the area must be special indeed.

[Brian_Gracely]

Thanks for all the responses so far.  One follow-up (cut & pasted from his email....sorry to dump this on the DG, but he's not allowed to join the DG as a new member anymore)


"My friend has played the following courses: Royal Dornoch (several times), Nairn, Cruden Bay, Carnoustie (championship), St.Andrews Old and New (several times), Gullane courses, North Berwick, Muirfield, Prestwick (old), Western Gailes, Turnberry.  

The question is not Dornoch vs. The Machrie, (of course Dornoch would win out).The actual question is: All things considered, accomodations, dining options, other sights to see, which would be a better use of time Islay and The Machrie or Kintyre and Machrihannish?  we will probably be going there (i.e. Islay or Kintyre) from Ft. William, Port Appin or Inverness, not sure yet."
 
Also as a side bar, is Kingsbarns worth the money?, or for the money would you rather play and stay at Turnberry (considering my wife would love Turnberry? Decisions Decisions"

[THuckaby2]

BG - can't comment on the Islay stuff... other than the scotch they produce there.  

But as for your side bar, that is a hell of a tough question.  Both are megabucks.... but considering that generally one does have to stay at Turnberry to play the Ailsa, well... that is a lot MORE megabucks.

If it's just based on the two golf courses, well as much as I do love Kingsbarns - and I truly do, no matter what others here say - it ain't the Ailsa.  It doesn't have the history, and won't give you the "duplicating Nicklaus and Watson" thrill that the Ailsa does.  So if a choice is to be made strictly on the two golf courses, I'd say go with the Ailsa.

BUT... if it's gonna freak him out to spend $300 or so extra dollars to stay there, then it won't be worth it.  He'll spend the whole time thinking about that and not enjoying the golf.... even if staying at the hotel there is very, very cool, which it is.

A wise man once told me this:  "you can't put a price tag on a good time."  Of course it was easy for him to say, he's extremely rich.  But I have to wonder if in the end the friend is gonna come home happy he saved $300, or bummed he missed the Ailsa.  The answer to that is the answer to this overall question.  How much are golf experiences worth to him?

TH

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

I would play Machrihanish and the Aisla course at Turnberry. They are both on par with any you mentioned. Additionally Turnberry is a must play as is Machrihanish. Kingsbarns is a great fun course but not a must play. It is a great play when in Fife. This is not a hard one at all for me.

[Joe_Hatley]

You can actually play Turnberry Ailsa without staying on the property.  It's 130 GBP during the week, and 175 on the weekends from May 1 through October.  It's 105 GBP if you stay at the hotel, which is a tres cool, but extremely expensive, experience.  

On my first trip there, I didn't really bother to check rates in advance, relying on my more-experienced golfing companions who had booked the trip.  I recall lying awake an entire night after they told me the hotel tariff, worrying about how the he** I was going to explain this one to my wife.    She got over it though, and it ended up being an incredible experience.

[THuckaby2]

Joe:

That's why I said one "generally" has to stay on property to play the Ailsa.  One can get on outside of this, but getting the tee time is problematic.  If you stay there, the tee time is guaranteed.

Luckily last time over I stayed in the new cottages... which at least approach reasonable price-wise. The main hotel is a bit up there, huh?  

But what the hell, we all have our thresholds.  Bottom line is the Ailsa is one of those must-plays in golf life.

TH

[Andy Hughes]

That's why I said one "generally" has to stay on property to play the Ailsa.  One can get on outside of this, but getting the tee time is problematic.  If you stay there, the tee time is guaranteed.

One of my favorite memories from 15 years ago was hanging out one afternoon at Turnberry, a beautiful day and the course was empty. I was just chewing the fat with the starter, enjoying a quiet day, when he eventually said, "Go get your clubs and play. You'll have the course to yourself"
Well, I did, and it was quite a day (the price was great too  )

[THuckaby2]

Very cool, Andy.  Good things do come to those with the proper attitude.  

But 15 years ago, that's before Westin bought the hotel brought in Troon Golf to manage things.. I shudder to think what the chances are of a recurrence of that today.  

TH

[peter_p]

Machrie or Machrihanish?
I played two rounds on each course last summer, and would unhesitatingly choose Machrihanish, if I had to choose between them.
The allure of Machrie is pretty much all about blind shots. Although I like them, Machrie has too many. They are undergoing a series of changes to some holes. The par 3 (10?)
at the NW corner of the property is pretty bland. The par 3 to a skyline green (New Mt Zion, 12?) is being rerouted to a similar length hole in a valley. The 14th green has another green built behind it which is apparently unusable.
The ferry issue is moot as long as you have reservations and don't have to drive from Dornoch after playing a morning round. There is very little to sightsee on Islay. The Machrie Hotel is good.

[Andy Hughes]

But 15 years ago, that's before Westin bought the hotel brought in Troon Golf to manage things.. I shudder to think what the chances are of a recurrence of that today.

Oh, I am sure you spot on about that Tom.  
At least I'll always have the memory of a warm sunny day (for Scotland, anyway), a nice man to talk golf with for a while, and a classic course all to myself.  
Needless to say, I was early 20s at the time, and looking at the hotel from the course was about as close as I could afford to be!