Machrihanish Golf Club Championship Course

Machrihanish Golf Club Championship Coursewas founded in 1876 and two of the great Open Champions, Old Tom Morris and JH Taylor, and sits on the Kintyre Peninsula in Argylll and Bute. The 18 hole links has become renowned across the world and the opening hole, with a tee shot carry across the Atlantic, is regularly voted the best opening hole in golf. The stunning scenery in this area of Scotland combined with the classic layout (watch out for the 5th, 10th and 15th holes in particular) make Macrahanish Golf Club a joy to play. A nine hole course - the Pans course - is also available.

Machrihanish Golf Course has to be one of the finest examples of an original links course. Built in 1876, the course has changed very little from the days Old Tom Morris spent there extending the course from 12 holes to the 18 it boasts today. From the first tee shot, to the last green, you are challenged by a layout that only subtlely alters the natural terrain of the area.

The front nine offers eight par fours and one par three, and a string of great links holes, mixing tight tee shots with expansive, sloping greens that will test all golfers. The back nine winds back towards town and - whilst it doesn't have the same defining character as the front nine - features a design that gives you a glimpse into the golf of old. The course flirts with the coastline, but it is only at the first hole that it comes into play. Whilst you may find yourself yearning to get back towards the beach to savour the views of the coastline, Machrihanish Golf Course itself will give you plenty to comtemplate. On a true links day, with all four seasons accompaning you through 18 holes, your handicap will become an irrelevant number, but on a calm day, you will find the course has little defense in the way of length or hazards.

If you are looking for a course with manicured fairways and an easy-on-the-eye appeal, this will not be the course for you. However, if you want to walk in the steps of Old Tom Morris and challenge yourself against a course designed as much by nature as man, then pull into Campbeltown and fire your tee shot over the Atlantic Ocean at Machrihanish Golf Club.