Machrihanish Dunes: Possibly the most natural links course in the world

NCG Top 100s host Tom Irwin is joined by James Parker, Course Manager at Machrihanish Dunes, to explore one of Scotland’s newest links courses – but also one that feels like it could be among the very oldest.

Set on the Kintyre Peninsula in the very south-western tip of Scotland, Machrihanish Dunes is nearer to Antrim than it is to Ayrshire. This is a course that was discovered in the landscape rather than built from scratch.

James explains the philosophy behind its natural routing, how its architect David McLay Kidd approached the project and why so little of the original site was disturbed during construction.

Tom and James also discuss what makes Machrihanish Dunes so different from more polished modern golf destinations, the importance of its rugged landscape, and the role sheep and grazing play in managing the course and supporting biodiversity.

They also look at the wider Kintyre golf scene, the changing appeal of remote links destinations and how Machrihanish Dunes has found a place among the most spiritual of modern golf courses.

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