Another Place, The Machrie

The Championship Course at The Machrie is a very special golf experience and, for me, one of those places where the whole package is just right. The course was in perfect condition during our visit, with excellent fairways and greens. But this is Islay, so the wind is always part of the game. It can completely change the character of a hole and makes club selection and course management incredibly important. My biggest advice: keep it straight! The rough is absolutely brutal in places. Once your ball disappears into the thick Islay rough, finding it can be a real challenge – and even if you do find it, getting it back into play is another story. Accuracy definitely pays off here. There are several memorable holes, but two really stood out for me. No. 9 is a beautiful and memorable golf hole and one of the highlights of the round. Another signature hole for me is No. 11, a driveable Par 4. With the right wind and a good drive, going for the green is definitely tempting – exactly the kind of risk-and-reward hole that makes links golf so much fun. And the experience doesn't end on the 18th green. After the round, sitting on the terrace overlooking the 18th green and the ocean is simply fantastic. Have a drink, watch the last golfers coming in and enjoy the incredible tranquillity of Islay. That is perhaps what makes The Machrie so special. There is nothing you really need to leave for: the hotel, the restaurant and GOLF. What else do you need? Beautiful surroundings, challenging links golf, the ever-present Islay wind, great food and complete tranquillity. I loved the whole experience and would come back anytime – hopefully very soon. And of course, don't forget where you are: Islay – the Whisky Island! With 11 distilleries on the island, visiting at least one of them should definitely be part of the trip. Golf and a dram of Islay whisky – a pretty perfect combination.

The Wee Course is a fantastic addition to the golf experience at The Machrie. With six short holes, it is all about having fun and enjoying golf in a relaxed atmosphere. We used it as a warm-up before our round on the Championship Course, which was a great way to get the swing going and work a little on the short game before heading to the first tee. Much more enjoyable than just hitting a few balls on the range! What makes the Wee Course even more fun is the freedom to create your own game. You can choose one tee box and play to almost any other green. A great format is to let the winner of the previous hole decide which green to play next. It turns the course into your own little match-play playground and makes every round different. Another interesting feature: **there isn't a single bunker on the Wee Course.** The challenge comes from the natural terrain, the greens and, of course, the Islay wind rather than sand hazards. It keeps the course simple, accessible and fun without taking away from the experience. The course is perfect for beginners, families, or anyone looking for a quick and casual round. And after playing the Championship Course, there is always a good reason to come back for a few more holes – especially when you need to decide who is buying the next whisky at the bar! A simple but brilliant concept and a great complement to the main course. The Wee Course adds another fun element to what already feels like a true golfer’s heaven at The Machrie. BTW: they have amazing Titleist Rental Clubs, see picture

The Machrie is one of those golf destinations where the setting is almost as important as the golf itself. Located on the Isle of Islay in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, the experience is wonderfully remote: you arrive by plane or ferry, and suddenly it is just the hotel, the golf course, the sea and the elements. Golf has been played at The Machrie since 1891, when the original course was laid out by Willie Campbell. The course was substantially modernised by DJ Russell between 2013 and 2018, bringing it up to modern championship standards while retaining much of the character and natural drama of the original links. I found the course to be in excellent condition and thoroughly enjoyable to play. The recent redesign has removed some of the more quirky and potentially confusing aspects of the original layout, creating a more coherent championship course while still retaining the character of The Machrie. The holes sit beautifully within the dunes, with several stretches bringing you very close to the water and providing spectacular views. What makes The Machrie particularly attractive, however, is that it is much more than an 18-hole golf course. The resort has a six-hole Wee Course, putting facilities and additional practice facilities, as well as a spa, fitness facilities and other amenities. The hotel, Another Place, The Machrie, is an integral part of the experience. There are beautifully appointed rooms and excellent food in the restaurant, making it a destination where you can quite easily spend several days without feeling the need to leave. I really enjoyed my stay, although I wished I had allowed myself a little more time simply to slow down and enjoy the surroundings. There is one particular place in the hotel that I would recommend not missing. When you go upstairs towards the restaurant, there is a large room with a fireplace and a huge window overlooking the 18th hole, the course and the sea. It is exactly the sort of place where I could happily sit with a book for a couple of hours and simply take in the view. The food in the restaurant was excellent. We ate there on several days and consistently enjoyed it. For me, the greatest attraction of The Machrie is the combination of the golf and the sense of place. Islay is remote, atmospheric and surrounded by the sea, and The Machrie makes the most of that setting. The course is very well maintained, the hotel is excellent, the food is memorable and the overall experience feels genuinely different from a conventional golf resort. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at The Machrie and would very happily return, ideally for a few days rather than simply rushing in for the golf.

The Wee Course at The Machrie is a fantastic little six-hole facility and much more than just a traditional practice area. It has six tees and six greens laid out across a compact triangular piece of land, roughly 150 by 150 by 100 metres, with holes ranging from around 75 to 130 yards. You can simply play the six holes in sequence, but when the facility is quiet, there is even more flexibility: from a single tee you can play to the different greens and create a wide variety of shots. In theory, there are around 36 different combinations available, making it an excellent place to work on your short game and approach play. The facility was in excellent condition when I played it and is conveniently located very close to the clubhouse. A great little addition to the Machrie experience, and definitely worth playing, even if you are staying primarily for the full-size links course. They also have 19 holes real turf putting course left of the clubhouse.

If you have made it over the bay and have taken the 2h ferry trip you find yourself on one of the great links courses on Scotland’s west coast. The setting is magnificent, and with the weather smiling on us, it looked absolutely stunning. We played the course twice during our stay, which gave us the chance to experience two very different faces of links golf: one round in glorious sunshine with barely a cloud in sight, and another in strong winds that reminded us exactly where we were. The only thing missing was the rain that had been forecast all week – somehow we managed to dodge almost all of it. While we still slightly preferred the more rugged and natural feel of Machrihanish Dunes, The Machrie is an exceptional place to play. The layout offers a wonderful mix of challenging links golf, beautiful dune landscapes and memorable seaside views. Its signature par 3 is a true standout – one of those holes that immediately makes you reach for your camera before your club. A real looker and undoubtedly one of the highlights of the round. What really sets The Machrie apart is that the experience doesn’t end after 18 holes. The Wee Course, a delightful six-hole short course beside the resort, is tremendous fun and perfect for an evening round or settling friendly wagers. Equally entertaining is the quirky 19-hole putting course, where the wonderfully old-fashioned, heavily undulating greens can turn even the shortest putt into an adventure. We found ourselves returning to both several times during our stay. If you enjoy authentic links golf combined with outstanding hospitality, excellent practice and short-game facilities, and a superb resort atmosphere, The Machrie is a destination that deserves a place on every links golfer’s itinerary.