Social Golf at The Machrie
From golfing newbies and families easing their way into a round, to experienced golfers winding down with a beer after a challenging day out on the championship links, our new social golf course, ‘The Hebrides’, encourages everyone to take a swing.
A laidback intro or a chance to try something different. Day time, night time; for the young, for the grown-ups. A gap bridger and a place to ignite a thirst for the game. A space for newbies and a spot for serious players to take it easy. Introducing our light-hearted, non-stuffy, low-stakes social golf putting course where the aim is to have fun, not lower your handicap.
“Social golf bridges the gap between the putting green and a serious round.”
Step up to the latest concept to hit the golf scene with The Hebrides, our brand-new social golf putting course. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or you’re green to the green, The Hebrides brings new layers to the golfing experience. Inviting players of every ability and age to try their hand, social golf is a great way to have a go at playing 19 different holes in a row, each with its own challenge – just as you’d experience during a full round on the championship course.
From the fairway to the rough, this non-intimidating course has been imagined with fun at its heart and no fees for guests and main course players. Loosening the collar on the sport, playing on a first come first served basis, with no tee times, we’re expanding the golf experience for fresh and established players alike – no matter your golf handicap. Out here, newbies who’ve never touched a club before can rub shoulders with well-versed players, who are all in it for the same reason — to have a good time.
Reflections
Mirroring its sandy curves and grassy contours, the latest addition to our golfing stable is an ode to the natural links landscape of the original Machrie golf course, authentically built to a scale of one-tenth of its size.
A world-renowned Scottish championship links, the original course reaches an impressive 7,000 yards from the back tees, with undulating curves and contours working in harmony with the natural seafront landscape. First constructed back in 1891 to an original Willie Campbell design, the course was given a new lease of life in 2018 by David J. Russell to help bring it up to modern championship standards.
A world away from pitch and putt, or even our six-hole Wee Course, The Hebrides green has been created with just as much technical precision as the main course. Here every shot tells a story, and years of expertise have been poured into every hole.
“The social golf putting course is your chance to master the main course in miniature.”
From replicating the mini dune system that makes up the much-loved golf furniture of The Machrie course to working with the original routing system so that you can take the same shots as you might step up to out on the main green, the social golf putting course is your chance to master it all in miniature.
Here you’ll find the usual 18 holes on the fairway, but with an additional 19th hole designed for those moments when you’re ending all square and you need that all-important end-of-game decider.
Bring the buzz
Dug into The Machrie’s DNA is the knowledge that when you’re out on the full-sized fairways, you can harness a sense of glorious isolation. Here on Islay, our greens give you the peace and time to size up your shot against sublime backdrops of Laggan Bay and the peaks of Beinnn Bheigier looking inland. Carefully mapped out distances and seclusion from other players give you a chance to focus on being at one with your surroundings. The course is designed in such a way that you can often go the full 18 holes without seeing another soul up close.
The Machrie’s social golf offer turns this idea on its head. A complimentary addition that adds a new layer to the experience, its smaller scale means you’ll be taking a swing near other groups, offering them words of encouragement, commiseration or even letting others jump ahead of you if you need a bit more time.
Well played
Maybe the idea of stepping out on the green leaves you feeling intimidated, or you’re just not sure where to start. Perhaps the teens are in tow and you want to get them out in the fresh air, maybe even see them gain a new skill. We know that going straight onto the range as a beginner is tough, which is why we’ve designed the social green as a great stepping stone on your journey to the main course.
“If you’re all square, then it’s a welcome chance to play off, or win that fiver back you lost earlier.”
At the other end of the spectrum, perhaps you’ve spent your day out on the championship links stuck into a serious game and you’re ready to enjoy something a bit more relaxed as the day ticks on. The social green is a chance to meet up after the main event, and have a drink with your group while trying to make a hole-in-one… And if you’re all square, it’s a welcome chance to play off or win back that fiver you lost earlier.
After dark
As the sun dips, dusk descends, and the golf bags are rolling back to the clubhouse from the main course, the fun is only just beginning on The Hebrides. Extending the experience into nightfall, with twilight floodlights and glow-in-the-dark balls, darkness doesn’t stop play. Embrace the twilight and carry on swinging those shots under the stars…
Try your game anytime on The Hebrides, with no additional fees for guests or main course players, and no prior booking needed. Bring your own clubs or borrow some and get social.
Explore the full golf offer at Another Place, The Machrie