Machrihanish Dunes

Skirting the Atlantic and flanked by rolling sand dunes, it’s the world’s most natural golf course. As a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, Machrihanish Dunes was deliberately laid out with as little disruption to the natural environment as possible: only 7 of the 259 acres of land were disturbed during construction. Only the tees and greens were shaped, as the sometimes-uneven fairways follow the natural contours of the land. 

Machrihanish Dunes is more than just a golf course - spectacular scenery invites you to linger in this truly challenging environment, where you’re playing golf against the elements and ever-changing linksland. You need accuracy from the tee and to deploy plenty of careful course management, as this track is deceptively devilish. But that’s Scottish golf at its finest, all finely-layered thrills and guile.

Machrihanish Dunes delivers pure links golf in an area of extreme natural beauty. It’s situated on a resort offering superb accommodation, two beautifully restored old hotels, numerous restaurants and pubs, plus a wonderful full-service spa. Take exceptional golf, add serious luxury, and you get one of Scotland's best-loved golfing resorts.

About Machrihanish Dunes – Brief History

  • Designed in 2009 by David McInlay Kidd
  • To spectacular effect, the course's routing is dictated by the natural lay of the land
  • The only golf course ever created on a Site of Special Scientific Interest
  • Features six greens and five tees studded along the ocean's edge  
  • Voted number one eco-course in the world by ABTA Golf Magazine in 2012 
  • Tipped as 'Scotland's Best Experience' by Bunkered magazine in 2013
  • Won numerous other awards for sustainability, resort quality, top golf destinations and more
  • Reputed to have the best opening hole in golf

Macrihanish Dunes Scorecard 
Click here to view the scorecard

Featured hole - Hole 1 

Your Machrihanish Dunes experience starts with a bang thanks to a tricky first hole - all 392 yards of it. This is one crazily exciting ride of a downhill par 4, beautifully encapsulating the challenges of the course's natural landscaping and showcasing the rugged, wild Atlantic Ocean to perfection. You play towards the dunes and the ocean. The blind approach to the punchbowl green – completely hidden from view – sets the stage for this astonishingly challenging and enjoyable course.  

Known as the very essence of links golf 

This course is famed for allowing you to play golf as it was meant to be played. You pit your wits against nature itself, on a terrain that plays differently for every game. Machrihanish Dunes present the rarest opportunity to make shots you have only imagined before. The course inspires tactical play, demands considerable creativity and taps into your imagination. The result is an exhilarating, dramatic game you won't forget. 

Machrihanish Dunes Golf Breaks 

The Experience St Andrews is home to a plethora of desirable golfing packages, including the unerringly popular Machrihanish Dunes golf vacation package. Get in touch so we can help plan your dream Machrihanish Dunes Links golf break. We’ll provide you with everything you need to make an unforgettable golfing experience. This can be fully customisable so you can have the golf holiday experience of your dreams.