Course:    Machrihanish Dunes Golf Course

Location:   Machrihanish, Campbeltown, Kintyre

Brief description:  Built in the last 15 years, you can drive for several hours or fly to this course. Stay at the Ugadale Hotel or Lodges if you can stay overnight, as they are superb, and they often offer packages including transport to and from the course. There's a quaint starters hut that offers merchandise and refreshments on arrival, which is where you should also check in. Before you play there is also a warm up hole, a par 3 where you can have a wee shot before heading into the machair.

What to expect of the course: It was advertised as 'how golf was once played', and it represents it fairly. There are few directional signs and on your first visit you will wonder where the next tee or, depending on what tees you play from, where the fairway or green is. Get a course guide! It is true links and part of and SSSI which is why there is little course furniture. The greens are large and undulating and fairways generous, though from some tees that doesn't always appear to be the case. The hazards are mostly natural and it is a very well kept course. Play it twice if you can, as the more you play it, the more it grows on you.

What to expect of the overall visit: A great addition to Kintyre. The course takes prisoners if you are errant from the tee so beware and do play from the tees that will make your day most enjoyable rather than for kudos. You will be made to feel very welcome before you play and there is always genuine interest in how you played post golf. It is a long journey to get there, but worth it. Do try and play it more than once and take in all the other Kintyre courses when you're there.

Website:  https://machrihanishdunes.com/