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1st

Machrihanish

Par 4 | 424 yards

There are no formal introductions to the beauty of Machrihanish Golf Club – it simply hits you from the get-go. Its first hole, ‘Battery’, is one of the finest opening holes in golf.

A teasing 424-yard par-4 with an elevated tee at the edge of the shore allows you to view the vast open expanse of both land and sea. To add to the excitement of the first hole, you’ll have to calm your buzz at the breathtaking views as your first drive of the round must carry the Atlantic.

There’s no doubt that this opening hole provides a unique, testing and rewarding experience, should your ball find the short grass on the other side, all at the same time. Despite its elegance,
if there is a breeze kicking up, this
can be a particularly challenging hole to kick things off. The hole has regularly been voted one of the best in the country and even the world,
with Jack Nicklaus once stating that it is his favourite first hole in golf. High praise indeed. The course is very much more than just ‘Battery’, however.

The entire experience is one to behold. The greens are firm, fast and true, with pin positions in multiple locations, while there are blind tee shots, fabulous sea views, undulating rippling fairways and rugged dunes. Magical.

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