Golf holidays on Islay
Golf holidays on Islay will create everlasting memories in your golf career. Proud of our superb 18-hole Machrie Golf Course we are sure you will be coming back for more.
Golf holidays on Islay
Are you planning a golf holiday on Islay or looking for things to do on Islay? If so the famous Machrie links course offers you an 18-hole course to get your golf skills up to scratch while surrounded in a spectacular setting. Set next to a 9-mile length of unspoilt beach and views over Lochindaal and the Oa Peninsula you can be excused for a bad shot due to the distractions! It is a truly remarkable golf course where any round of golf will be a memorable one. Challenging and scenic all rolled into one!
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Happy History and Fame
Willie Campbell constructed the course back in 1891 and in his own words believed ‘it was the best ground for a golf course that I have ever had the pleasure of viewing’. There are many people who will back him up in his statement. In the 1980’s Donald Steel made a few changes to the course but apart from that it remains very much the same as when it was first constructed making it a traditional links course to play on.
Back in 1901 Harry Vardon, John Henry Taylor and James Bradi graced its greens in the courses’ claim to fame in the ‘Open Championship’. £100 was the prize money which in those times was the highest prize money in any Open Competition.
‘Putting‘ Natural Hazards in your way
There are a few natural hazards that present themselves. The presence of sand dunes, Atlantic winds and on occasion our Scottish horizontal rain can make an appearance. However, those committed golfers out there won’t let that deter them and the good news is that because of the Gulf Stream, it actually makes the course good to play on in the winter. This is due to little snow or frost making it a year-round course to play on. The turf is in fact described as unique and easier to golf on in the winter. If the weather is proving too much you can always opt for a shorter round on the 6-hole course which is less demanding.
So are you ready to pack up those golf clubs and hit the course? If so and you require any further information or you are looking to book your holiday in Islay then please get in touch here or call us on 07880 706 356.
*Note: If you are planning a round of golf while on your holiday on Islay, it is a good idea to check in with Machrie Golf Course to check the availability of the course for play. You can contact them on +44 (0)1496 302310 or email them here.
Book NowEverything was to a good standard, the beds were comfortable and the wi-fi connection was more than adequate for such a remote location (we didn’t use the TV/DVD). The living room and kitchen area is perfect for relaxing in the evenings, and you’ll be amazed at the quiet ! If your idea of the perfect holiday is getting out into the wilds and exploring miles of unspoilt beauty, this is the place for you. I am certain it is popular with walkers, but you can also do many exciting trips by car (which you’ll need anyway to get around !). Some of the roads do get a bit funky in places, and it’s largely single track with passing places, but you soon get used to this, and the courtesy between drivers is generally a joy to experience.
The Kilchoman cottages are near three absolutely stunning beaches, all within 4/5 miles: Machir Bay, Saligo Bay and Sanaigmore, it was impossible to choose between them, but we visited each one at least twice. Perhaps the most scenic beaches we’ve ever seen, with beautiful rock formations, white sand and totally unspoilt (and indeed generally deserted !)
There’s also the possibility to take a day trip over to the nearby island of Jura, the famous `paps’ (mountains) add a stunning back drop to so many places on Islay. It is a photographer’s dream. Life is simpler here, and in many ways it had not changed at all for me since 1972 ! A lifetime dream fulfilled to come back here, and I wasn’t disappointed ! We were very very lucky with the weather, which does help, and on a good day I wouldn’t hesitate to call it paradise.
Handy hints: Take plenty of basic provisions with you, but the Co-op in Bowmore is up to modern standards for most of your needs, we only needed a couple of trips there to restock in two weeks. If you’re big on nightlife and bustle, give it a miss…but if you love nature, beauty and fresh air….it can’t be beaten.
