The Best Golf Courses in Argyll and Bute

By: Kieran Clark | Fri 07 Jun 2024

Argyll and Bute is one of Scotland's largest and most expansive council areas, located in the west of the country and spanning dozens of islands, rural landscapes, mountains, and spectacular lochs, with modestly sized settlements being dotted across this rugged and diverse terrain that is ripe for adventurous exploration.

Ryder Cup star Robert MacIntyre - who unforgettably secured his maiden PGA Tour victory at the Canadian Open - hails from this part of the world, specifically the town of Oban, which is the second largest to be found in this vast region.

It's also a place that is full of golf courses, including Glencruitten, which is MacIntyre's home club. While many understandably view the game in Scotland through the coastlines of Fife, East Lothian, Ayrshire, and those magical corners of the Highlands, a more authentic slice of the sport can be found in Argyll and Bute, where you will discover layouts that are rustic and quirky, with honesty boxes and farm animals regularly being in view.

Connecting you with the game as it once was, this segment of western Scotland is truly special.

But where should you play? We have picked out the top-rated venues from the Golfshake Course Section, which have been reviewed by everyday golfers.

If any notable courses are missing, that's either because they rated too lowly or haven't been reviewed at all, which is something that you could remedy by leaving a new review yourself.

However, for now, we reckon that this is nonetheless a good introduction to The Best Golf Courses in Argyll and Bute!

Machrihanish Dunes

Location: Machrihanish, Campbeltown

Golfshake Rating: 4.94

Green Fees: From £100

Review Comment: "Golf in the raw at its best. Mach Dunes shows what a genius David McLay Kidd is. Built on a Site of Special Scientific Interest. No fertiliser, only sheep and laid out with the minimum of alteration to the original dunes, only the tees were levelled out."

Machrihanish Golf Club

Location: Machrihanish, Campbeltown

Golfshake Rating: 4.91

Green Fees: From £90

Review Comment: "It's a pain to get to but Machrihanish Golf Club, along with Machrihanish Dunes around the corner, are well worth the trip. True bucket list courses."

The Machrie

Location: Isle of Islay

Golfshake Rating: 4.86

Green Fees: From £115

Review Comment: "The location was fantastic and the layout, greens, and fairways were all excellent. The staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful."

Dunaverty Golf Club

Location: Southend, Campbeltown

Golfshake Rating: 4.61

Green Fees: From £50

Review Comment: "I have played this golf course occasionally since I was a child, a long time ago. Every time I come back I appreciate the place more and more. Playing Dunaverty is a truly enriching experience, the course is not long but there are some very tricky par 3s. Some of the views are world class. The first two or three holes, and the last, are average, but from hole 4 to 17, Dunaverty is a very special place to play golf."

Carradale Golf Club

Location: Carradale, Kintyre

Golfshake Rating: 4.49

Green Fees: From £20

Review Comment: "A real gem. Definitely worth a detour on the way to Machrihanish. Plenty of interest and few blind holes. Loved the pudding bowl 6th hole. Good condition and spectacular views of Arran."

The Carrick at Cameron House

Location: Loch Lomond

Golfshake Rating: 4.48

Green Fees: From £50

Review Comment: "As you would expect the course was well maintained from tee to green, the clubhouse and service expectional and warm welcome from Scotland second to none. I definitely won't wait as long to go back and play again - must play and highly recommended. Finally, I doubt anyone could play this golf course without taking a photo!"

Rothesay Golf Club

Location: Isle of Bute

Golfshake Rating: 4.47

Green Fees: From £25

Review Comment: "Excellent course in fantastic condition. Staff and all connected to the club were brilliant. Last played here three years ago, will not wait so long to return to one of my favourite courses. Many thanks for a memorable weekend."

Tobermory Golf Club

Location: Isle Of Mull

Golfshake Rating: 4.30

Green Fees: From £25

Review Comment: "This course is a must for pure golf nuts! Defo one for the bucket list and counting days on when can go back and play."

Innellan Golf Club

Location: Knockamillie, Dunoon

Golfshake Rating: 4.28

Green Fees: From £20

Review Comment: "Great little nine-hole course, quite short but hilly. Fabulous views, friendly locals and greens were excellent when we played. Fairways, like all courses in the area, quite soft and mossy but perfectly playable. Best course in the area."

Kyles of Bute Golf Club

Location: Tighnabruaich, Cowal

Golfshake Rating: 4.25

Green Fees: From £25

Review Comment: "Not long, but challenging moorland course, with blind carries and super views. Standout holes were the 7th and the 9th. We were the only ones on the course, would recommend and come again."

Dalmally Golf Club

Location: Old Sawmill, Dalmally

Golfshake Rating: 4.13

Green Fees: From £12.50

Review Comment: "Superb mountainous scenery all around with an interesting and varied golfing challenge with some superb par threes, one over a long pond and another adjacent to a lily pond."

Helensburgh Golf Club

Location: Helensburgh, Argyll & Bute

Golfshake Rating: 4.11

Green Fees: From £50

Review Comment: "Fabulous course in outstanding condition. Don't be fooled by the yardage. Many holes are tight with some demanding a carry off the tee. No two holes are alike with the par 3s being a real test of accuracy off the tee."

Glencruitten Golf Club

Location: Glencruitten Road, Oban

Golfshake Rating: 3.92

Green Fees: From £20

Review Comment: "Lovely course. Great views. Lots of blind holes. Short but challenging. Definitely play there again."

Lochgilphead Golf Club

Location: Blarbuie Road, Lochgilphead

Golfshake Rating: 3.83

Green Fees: From £25

Review Comment: "Course in really good condition. Played nine holes, weather was lovely, sunny and no wind, course is quite hilly, especially the 3rd, but enjoyed playing the round."

Blairmore & Strone Golf Club

Location: High Road, Dunoon

Golfshake Rating: 3.80

Green Fees: From £10

Review Comment: "A lovely 9-hole course overlooking the Firth of Clyde. Much more challenging than the short yardage would suggest; some small par-3 greens demand very accurate iron play and greens are generally quite undulating. Drivable par-4s add a lot of fun, especially 7th and 9th. Course is generally in good nick in high season and is great value. Just don't get too distracted by the sensational views!"

Tarbert Golf Club

Location: Kilberry Road, Tarbert

Golfshake Rating: 3.80

Green Fees: From £12

Review Comment: "A challenging short course that will have you climbing a small hill for breathtaking views. The long uphill par 3s are truly challenging, so expect to have a challenge making par. Lovely course."

Cardross Golf Club

Location: Main Road, Cardross

Golfshake Rating: 3.74

Green Fees: From £35

Review Comment: "Nice course. A wet day but the course stood up well to the constant rain. Course presentation was excellent and the greens were in very good order. Staff very helpful and welcoming."

Drimsynie Golf Course

Location: Lochgoilhead, Cairndow

Golfshake Rating: 3.74

Green Fees: From £13

Review Comment: "Have now played this course for the last 14 years, a very enjoyable course for average golfers, not for the big hitter, can be wet underfoot at times. Condition has been up and down over the years, but this year it is in excellent condition, mainly due to latest greenkeeper, who is doing a great job. Take your clubs and enjoy."

Vaul Golf Club

Location: Isle of Tiree

Golfshake Rating: 3.67

Green Fees: From £15

Review Comment: "Just back from spending a week on the lovely Isle of Tiree - the Vaul course is looking good, I think we must have played ten rounds over the week we were there!"

Isle of Seil Golf Club

Location: Kilbrandon Cottages, Balvicar

Golfshake Rating: 3.55

Green Fees: From £15

Review Comment: "Lovely little course in great setting round the bay. Really enjoyed it and had the course to myself. Greenkeeper even gave me a couple of balls. Will definitely come back next time we're on holiday here."

Craignure Golf Club

Location: Isle of Mull

Golfshake Rating: 3.51

Green Fees: From £20

Review Comment: "We have played this course many times and always enjoy it, despite rain often rolling down from the hills and actually losing balls which disappeared from view in the boggy peat in the middle of the fairway! The course demands some tough decisions, many holes play longer than they look (7th and 9th), but the views are spectacular. We once observed a school of pilot whales (we counted 18) moving up the Sound of Mull."

Cowal Golf Club

Location: Dunoon, Argyll & Bute

Golfshake Rating: 3.23

Green Fees: From £15

Review Comment: "Short tricky little course, a few tight holes. Slightly let down by the poor condition of the fairways. Played on a wet day and there was a fair amount of surface water. Greens were excellent, putts ran true. Friendly atmosphere, members of the course very welcoming. All in all a good course."