Machrie Golf Club

9th august 2008. my mate billy and me played the machrie for the first time mid afternoon tee off. gentle 1st fairway is followed by what becomes a feature throughout much of the course, beautiful punchbowl greens, which require fairly accurate approach shots. tees are in good condition, fairways are fantastic (even after heavy overnight rain) and the greens were testing (especially the undullating 3rd). every hole has a different challenge, but both of us were in golfers heaven at the par 4 17th iffrin (gaelic for hell), it is a masterpiece. my favourite holes were the 3rd,5th(almost a hole in one),the brilliant 7th,10th and of coarse the 17th. all in all it is a golf course any golfer of any ability,(low handicap or none at all) should at least once in their life make the pleasant trip across to islay to play a unique links. we intend a return. p.s. don't believe the weather forecast, we were promised heavy rain and gales, but were gifted with great weather.

Came to Islay with my wife (who explored the craft shops instead). Although on my own I met on the first tee a Swede called Anders who runs whisky tours - apparently Islay whisky is massively popular in Sweden! Wonderful course in a magnificent setting with friendly staff - as the other reports suggest this is real old fashioned golf with quirks that no modern designer would dare include. My favourite holes were the 3rd (outrageous punchbowl green !), and the 3 excellent par 3's - into the wind I needed a driver for the 154yd 12th!!. The course's main defences are the contours, the breeze, and quick greens, with few bunkers and mild rough. As a result high handicappers like me can have loads of fun, but a real challenge for more acomplished players too. All in all the course - like the island itself - are magical. Make the trip !!

Two of us flew in for the day from Glasgow and were picked up by the Machrie Hotel bus at the airport. The rain absolutely chucked down until the turn and we were pretty sodden by then. The conditions hardly spoled our enjoyment though, as this course was a roller coaster of a traditional links with blind shots galore requiring imaginative golf to be played almost every other shot - links golf from a byegone era that was SO much fun to play. It was a combination of a number of courses like Machrihanish, Cruden Bay and Prestwick all rolled into one. If you have played the latter two and thought them too quirky then the Machrie is not for you. On the other hand... The weather was so bad that we had the course to ourselves - what a treat. We had an excellent 3 course late lunch and a few Islay whiskies before being transported back to the airport at teatime for our flight back home. The staff, from the driver to the barman to the greenkeeper all had time to stop and talk to us in the Machrie Hotel - what an advert for Scottish hospitality. Pity about the weather but what a great place to play old fashioned links golf - we'll be back!

I played my very first round of golf at the Machrie back in July 2001. It was such an amazing experience i married my wife at the hotel your years later! The course and the island are both magical and the course features some of the most amazing golf holes and views i've ever seen. Virtually every hole has a bling drive or a blind approach. However, if you can play more than once the holes become more familier and your score should start to fall. The Scots Maiden (7th) has both a blind drive followed by a blind second. While my favourite 'Ifrinn' (Hell in gaelic) the 17th has one of the most undulating greens in golf. The stretch of holes alongside Laggan Bay (7th,8th, 9th & 10th) are breathtaking. Not massively long i was fortunate to score below my handicap by taking 5 irons of the tee on most of the holes. The most important piece of advice given to me by a local is 'play to the marker posts from the tee as from there you can see the greens'. And finally 'when its breezy, swing easy.'

I am in fortunate position to travel to Islay twice per annum and always set aside day to play Machrie. Subtle nuances become apparent with each visit. It is a joy to play a true links course and always find it in glorious condition. Favourite holes are 2nd, 3rd (really for the green), 5th, and 15th.

Played The Machrie it over two days in August 2001 but would have played at night too if it was floodlit! It is simply exhilarating and, with over a dozen blind drives and approaches to confront, a real test of nerve (a slight gripe is that 17 and 18 both require totally blind approaches). Luck plays a big part no doubt, but remove this and our sport is the poorer. It may be an acquired taste but I'll take it every time. Highlights for me are stretches 4, 5 and 6 and 13, 14 and 15. Not to mention 7, 8 and 9 that run hard alongside the beach at Laggan Bay. This is golf at its most primal, though it was in great condition (truer and quicker greens than Machrihanish) in spite of the 3 weeks of heavy rain that preceded our visit. Very welcoming and courteous hotel and course staff. We stayed in inexpensive though well appointed, self catering lodges overlooking the first fairway.

In May 2001 some friends and myself went Islay for a week holiday and play the Machrie links daily. It was links golf at it's best, blue skies daily but with a variable wind which in turn gave variable scores. I love the golf course especially the dogleg on the second, the green on the third, the constant blind shots to the greens and of the tee, a golf paradise if you like links golf.

Having played this course a good few times over the years as a visitor it just gets better! A real gem blind shots,wind,scenery,good fairways,tough greens and some new bunkers a great day out its a must for any golfer.

My golf @ Machrie was almost surreal. Following an Irish stag night of ultimate proportions I rose some 3 hours later on Sunday with no clubs, a hangover of monumental proportions,and me a left hander. Undeterred my kin gave me a 4,7,9iron a sand wedge,a putter and 3 balls.You need no more! The craic was great,the sun shone,and the ball ran.This is real golf as it was, and should be played. My problems started when I sobered up and thought about how I should play!This was good,I finished with the ball I started with,what more could you want. Thanks to all at Machrie and especially Elspeth, Slan.

Machrie was a must on my list of out of the way courses to play based on James W. Finegan's description of the place. His words do not do justice to this treasure. From the sheep burrowing a new bunker on the second hole to the 24+ blind shots, this is a Scot masterpiece.\r\n\r\nVery rustic, full of charm, and an absolute delight to play. I loved every minute of it. Truly exhilerating.\r\n\r\nTook the ferry over and stayed at the hotel. Play all the golf you desire. The hotel will pick you up and return you to the ferry based on your schedule.\r\n\r\nI'll savor this memory.