Machrihanish Dunes

[Robin Doodson]

[http://www.flickr.com/photos/45403628@N06/sets/72157622922955189/]

Check out my pics from a recent trip to Machrihanish Dunes. Spectacular golf course on a spectacular site.

robin

[Ronald Montesano]

Spectacular sheep on a spectacular site...any more golf?

What I saw in your photos of the rumpled fairways, I liked.

[Jim Tang]

Robin -

Excellent phots.  Was wondering if you could expand on your views of Mac Dunes, since there seems to be a wide variety of opinions on this course.  What other top tier golf courses is it near?  I really need to get to Scotland, and soon.

[Jason McNamara]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45403628@N06/sets/72157622922955189/

(quick fix to make it auto-launching.)

Thanks, Jason

[Robin Doodson]

Robin -

Excellent phots.  Was wondering if you could expand on your views of Mac Dunes, since there seems to be a wide variety of opinions on this course.  What other top tier golf courses is it near?  I really need to get to Scotland, and soon.

i'm a big fan of this course as a golfer and a course super. i grew up on the west coast of scotland and have now lived in australia for 9 years so it was a real buzz to go back and play in the wind and rain while hitting the ball along the ground. the course is heaps of fun but only if you enjoy the adrenalin rush that is blind shots, which i do. i had the benefit of playing with the course manager who pointed me in the right direction. the condition of the golf course has been a subject of much debate but is really not a factor as i did not have one bad lie all day (in the fairway) and the greens are the purest fescue greens that can feasibly be established on the west coast of scotland. i have just finished an article on the course for Australian Turfgrass Magazine which i will post on here when it is published. The course borders the old course at machrihanish which was obviously laid out by old tom morris. it really is a great destination with some fantastic accommodation. worth a couple of days with 36 holes each day then numerous pints of guinness in the village pub. it is only a 20 minute flight from glasgow so can be tied in with a trip to all the old favourites such as turnberry, troon, prestwick, etc.......

yours in golf

robin

[Chris DeNigris]

Thanks Robin for sharing your pics and opinions on this AMAZING golf course.

I played it in ideal (if infrequent) calm conditions in September and it was the highlight of our Scotland adventure. More enjoyable than Castle Stuart, which is really saying something.

The greens are wild- as would be expected- but they perfectly mirror and complement the contours of the entire property.

Not for the feint of heart though. You really need your A or B game or the experience might be a little frustrating.If the wind is really blowing (the norm) and you're not making solid contact it can be a long day..And that's probably where some/most of the negative press is coming from.

The current back 9 is a little more forgiving than the front but they are eventually going to flip the nines.

Paired with the Old course this is a 1-2 that's hard to beat...even in this remote setting. The countryside is beautiful and the drive from Glasgow is a treat.

6 or 7 miles further south is the neat little village of Southend and the hidden gem Dunaverty Golf Club, overlooking the Irish Sea. I didn't get a chance to play it but I met the Course Sup in the local pub(been there forever and a really nice guy) and I'm going to squeeze it in on my next visit.

For those that have never ventured off of the mainland, this trip is a must!

[Marty Bonnar]

For those that have never ventured off of the mainland, this trip is a must!

EH?

I can however confirm how cool Dunaverty is. It's just a hoot to play. If you enjoy crossing holes and square greens, it's simply heaven. Must get over this coming year to play it and the Mach again and MD for the first time.

cheers,
FBD.

[jeffwarne]

For those that have never ventured off of the mainland, this trip is a must!

EH?

I can however confirm how cool Dunaverty is. It's just a hoot to play. If you enjoy crossing holes and square greens, it's simply heaven. Must get over this coming year to play it and the Mach again and MD for the first time.

cheers,
FBD.

Dunaverty is the most underated course in the area.
Great fun.

[ChipOat]

I checked out the website and, other than some very misleading statements about the alleged proximity of Ayrshire and Ireland (they fail to mention you need a helicopter), it looked like a good project.

Having not been to Machrihanish for 15+ years, I ask the following:

1) What do the locals think (besides liking the jobs that ensued)?  This is not a locals' club, for sure.
2) In two sentences or less, what are the real estate plans and how has the global economy knocked those plans back?  Is the place still viable?
3) How is the golf course vs. its neighbor?  MGC has a fabulous first 15-16 holes with a rather weak finish as I recall.

[Adam Lawrence]

Chip:

1. Not sure, but my impression is that the perception is overall positive. Kintyre is a struggling economy, so investment is welcomed, and it's not like there aren't places for locals to play.
2. Cottages and a pub in Machrihanish village, first phase complete; Ugadale Hotel in Machrihanish and Royal Hotel in Campbeltown bought and to be refurbished and reopened; last I heard, work due to start next year, with £1m+ of Scottish Executive and EU funding approved - http://www.machrihanishdunes.com/dynamic-content/csArticles/uploads/150/BBC_HotelFundingSignForOptimism_102609.pdf. It's viewed as a key project for economic development in the region.
3. There have been many different views expressed about the course. It has problems for sure, tons of blindness and a stretched out routing because of the environmental restrictions. But it is exhilarating in its wildness and there are plenty of fabulous shots.

With respect to your helicopter comment: there is a lot of impetus behind the reintroduction of the Campbeltown-Ballycastle ferry service: if that happens, an Ayrshire/Kintyre/Northern Ireland golf break would be a real possibility.