Tee Off in Scotland

6,226 yards • par 71

No mere golfer deserves it, this extraordinary combination of beauty, solitude, and freedom’ James Finnegan, author: Blasted Heaths and Blessed Greens.

There are many reasons why you should go and play the Machrie Golf Links, not least to discover why so many golfers find it a bewitching and exalting experience.

The course was originally laid out in 1891 by pioneering designer Willie Campbell. When
Campbell first saw the land being proposed for the course, he said it was ‘the best ground for a golf course that I have ever had the pleasure of viewing.’ In fact, apart from some minor modifications, this challenging course has changed little in over 100 years, and has a fascinating history.

Part of the Machrie Links’ enduring history is its own Open Championship of 1901, an event forever remembered due to the presence in the field of the “Great Triumvirate”, which comprised Harry Vardon, John Henry Taylor and James Braid. The event carried the highest prize money for any open competition at that time - the princely sum of one hundred pounds.

Taking place a few days after the Open Championship had been won by James Braid at Muirfield, the same man stood on the final green at Machrie with a putt to halve the match against Taylor. Unfortunately for the newly crowned open champion, his putt struck a piece of sheep dung on its way to the hole and Braid was denied his chance of pocketing the richest prize in golf.

While you can be sure that your putt will not be denied by the same phenomena that befell James Braid, the enjoyment gleaned from a round here coupled with Machrie’s enduring sense of history will ensure that the experience will forever live in the memory.

At 6250 yards long, the Machrie course has been likened to a subtle beast with a sense of humour. In the natural sand dunes lurk its wicked teeth, and a capricious temperament sometimes provoked by winds of varied strengths and direction. Recent upgrades have seen several new tees taking shape, but an overall refusal to spoil the natural aspect of the links will ensure it remains a pilgrimage which should be undertaken by all true connoisseurs of the game.

The course is situated on the Isle of Islay, adjacent to the airport. The Isle is 40 minutes from Glasgow by plane; ferries from Kennacraig daily.

Weekday (M.T.W.T.F.) Round: £££. Day Ticket: ££££.
Weekend (S.S.) Round: £££. Day Ticket: ££££.
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