⛳
The Global Golfer Top 100
Machrihanish Golf Club
Machrihanish, Kintyre Peninsula, Scotland · #16 in the World
Location: Machrihanish, Kintyre Peninsula, Scotland | Ranking: #16 — The Global Golfer Top 100
Type: Links | Partner Stay: Ugadale Hotel; Machrihanish Dunes Resort
Editor’s Note: Old Tom Morris declared the land at Machrihanish “specially designed by the Almighty for playing golf.” The opening hole — a tee shot across the Atlantic Ocean beach — has no equal for first-hole drama in world golf. The course sits at the end of the Kintyre Peninsula, three hours from Glasgow by road or 30 minutes by light aircraft. Its remoteness defines it; those who make the effort are invariably transformed by it.
1. Travel & Logistics
- How to Get There: 3 hours south of Glasgow by road (A83 via Tarbert) or 30 mins by light aircraft to Campbeltown Airport (CAL) from Glasgow.
- Nearest Airport: Campbeltown (CAL) — 5 mins. Glasgow (GLA) — 3h by road.
2. Contact & Booking
- Tel: +44 (0)1586 810213 | Website: machgolf.com
- Green Fees: From £130 | Rating / Slope: 72.5 / 134
3. Championship Scorecard
| Hole | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | OUT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 36 |
| Yards | 423 | 395 | 129 | 395 | 383 | 193 | 432 | 497 | 348 | 3,195 |
Par 4
Par 3
Par 5
Total
| Hole | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | IN | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Par | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 36 | 72 |
| Yards | 448 | 373 | 130 | 373 | 547 | 354 | 233 | 381 | 514 | 3,353 | 6,548 |
4. Key Strategy Notes
- Hole 1 — Par 4, 423 Yards: The greatest opening tee shot in golf — you must carry a corner of the Atlantic beach with your drive. The braver the line, the shorter the approach. In headwind this is a driver and mid-iron; in helping wind, long hitters can reach the green.
- Hole 10 — Par 4, 448 Yards: The longest hole on the back nine — into prevailing wind along the coast. A pure test of hitting the ball straight into the wind.
5. The 19th Hole
- Ugadale Hotel (4★): The best hotel on the Kintyre Peninsula — adjacent to the course and Machrihanish Dunes. Book via Expedia →
- Springbank Distillery, Campbeltown: One of Scotland’s most celebrated single malts, 5 minutes away. The post-round tour and tasting is legendary among golf and whisky travellers.