Practice Programs

Complete Golf Practice Blueprint for The Machrie Golf Links

Discover tailored practice programs for this course.

Isle Of Islay, Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Open Flagship Program Visit Club Website→

Total Programs

11 complete programs built for this course

Unique Drills

Total unique drills across all programs

Skill Pillars

Accuracy · Aim · Alignment · Dispersion · Distance Control · Mechanics

Session Durations

3 days , 4 days , 5 days , 6 days , 8 days , 9 days

AccuracyAimAlignmentDispersionDistance ControlMechanics+5 more

The Machrie Practice Profile

We've mapped a comprehensive practice profile for The Machrie, identifying the specific skills this course demands most. The skill distribution below shows which areas of your game will be tested most frequently based on the hole-by-hole analysis (hole handicaps, stroke index, yardage, etc.), while the handicap ranges indicate the typical player profiles who perform well here.

Focus your practice on these key skills to maximize improvement and lower your scores. Check the practice programs below for targeted drills that address these specific skills.

Skill Distribution

Distance Control 32%Scoring 28%Precision 16%Trajectory 12%Dispersion 10%

Handicap Performance Insights

The handicap ranges shown represent the typical performance levels for this course. Players within these ranges can expect competitive scores, while those outside may yield benefits or may need additional practice in the highlighted skill areas to perform at their best.

17.1

Average HCP

Minimum HCP

Maximum HCP

Top Drills

Featured Drills for The Machrie

Most-used drills from for this course. Practice as standalone drills or scroll down for full programs.

Putting18 min

Putting Aid: Chalk Line, 15/25

Make 15 out of 25 putts over the chalk starting line.

Short Game26 min

Pitch | Perpendicular Piles | 9 Stop Zones

Align a bucket of balls (avg. bucket is 40 balls) into 10 equal perpendicular piles of 4 balls and stop pitch shots inside 9 Stop Zones. Count the number of successful stops.

Driving Range31 min

Short irons (9,8) | Ladder Challenge

Complete the Ladder Challenge using short irons only. Hit one bucket of ~50 balls.

Short Game26 min

Pitch| Scattered Piles | 3 Landing Zones

Scatter a bucket of balls (avg. bucket is 40 balls) into 8 equal piles of 5 balls and hit-and-land pitch shots inside landing zones. Count the number of successes.

Driving Range31 min

Short irons (9,8) | Left-to-R and Right-to-L Shot

Produce left-to-right and right-to-left shots using short irons only. Hit one bucket of ~50 balls.

Driving Range31 min

Short irons (9,8) | 3 Landing Zones

Hit 15 balls to each landing zone using short irons only. Hit one bucket of ~50 balls. Count total number of successful shots.

Course Details

Everything you need to know about The Machrie.

Contact Information

📞

Phone

+44 (0)1250 872622

📠

Fax

+44 (0) 1250 872622

✉️

machrie@machrie.com

Giving lessons at The Machrie Golf Links? Get featured here.

Facilities

✓Driving Range

✓Putting Green

✓Chipping Green

✓Practice Bunker

✓Motor Cart

✓Pull Cart

✓Golf Clubs Rental

✗Club Fitting

✓Pro Shop

✓Golf Lessons

✗Caddie Hire

✓Restaurant

✓Reception Hall

✓Changing Room

✓Lockers

✗Lodging on Site

Location

Port Ellen

Course Information

Holes

Par

Type

Links

Architect

J.H. Taylor

Opened

1901

Google Reviews

Business Claimed

⭐N/A(0 reviews)

View on Google Maps

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Programs

Skill-Based Practice Programs for The Machrie

We studied the course layout and prepared practice programs to lower your scores. The programs are purpose-built for each tee to align with the course strategy. Each program consists of curated drills, with pre-defined modules designed to deliver results.

Filter programs by category (select one)

Showing 11 Programs

% match to course practice profile

Hole Mid-Length Putts

Practice long putts for distance control, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.

Putting~18 min17 HCP3 drills

Aim38%

Alignment23%

Stroke22%

View Program

Pitch 30–45 Yds From Fairway

Stop pitches near hole, for a 6-handicap player, ~10 minutes.

Short Game~26 min5 HCP8 drills

Distance Control24%

Precision17%

Aim16%

View Program

Vary your landing spot and see how close you can get

Vary landing spot, for a 22-handicap player, ~20 minutes.

Short Game~26 min21 HCP4 drills

Scoring43%

Distance Control32%

Visualization26%

View Program

Stop Missing Greens With Short Irons

Stop missing greens, for a 35-handicap player, ~30 minutes.

Driving Range~31 min35 HCP3 drills

Precision36%

Trajectory19%

Aim15%

View Program

11 Week Flagship Program for The Machrie

A complete and progressive long-term development curriculum mapped from easier to harder drills, specifically for The Machrie. Start with the basics and work your way towards more challenging drills. Commit to 11 weeks of training and get in proper shape. Four days counts as a week.

Week 1≤ 3 days

Putting · 6 ft (2m) only

Hole Mid-Length Putts

Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 17.0

Weeks 1–2≤ 5 days

Short Game · Chip

Feel Green: Control Rollout

Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 24.0

Week 3≤ 4 days

Short Game · Mixed

Vary your landing spot and see how close you can get

Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 21.0

Weeks 4–5≤ 6 days

Short Game · Pitch

Vary your landing spot and see how close you can get

Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 19.0

Weeks 5–7≤ 7 days

Short Game · Mixed

Up-and-down contest: how many can you save in a row?

Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 17.0

Weeks 7–8≤ 3 days

Driving Range · Short irons (9,8)

Stop Missing Greens With Short Irons

Difficulty: Beginner · Program HCP 35.0

Weeks 8–9≤ 3 days

Driving Range · Short irons (9,8)

Improve Short Iron Accuracy

Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 17.0

Week 9≤ 3 days

Driving Range · Short irons (9,8)

Improve Short Iron Accuracy

Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 17.0

Weeks 10–11≤ 6 days

Driving Range · Woods (Hy,5W,3W)

Vary your targets and hit them every time

Difficulty: Intermediate · Program HCP 11.0

Open Flagship Program

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Improve Short Iron Accuracy

Control distance, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.

Driving Range~31 min17 HCP3 drills

Distance Control27%

Trajectory20%

Scoring20%

View Program

Up-and-down contest: how many can you save in a row?

Turn into birdies, for a 17-handicap player, ~15 minutes.

Short Game~26 min17 HCP9 drills

Scoring47%

Distance Control33%

Visualization20%

View Program

Feel Green: Control Rollout

Feel the green, for a 25-handicap player, ~20 minutes.

Short Game~26 min24 HCP5 drills

Distance Control37%

Alignment16%

Scoring11%

View Program

Vary your landing spot and see how close you can get

Feel the distance, for a 19-handicap player, ~15 minutes.

Short Game~26 min19 HCP6 drills

Distance Control35%

Scoring22%

Precision16%

View Program

Unlock Your Golf Potential

Get personalized coaching and custom training programs tailored to your game.

Get Started

Vary your targets and hit them every time

Control woods rollout, for a 12-handicap player, ~15 minutes.

Driving Range30-31 min11 HCP6 drills

Distance Control30%

Scoring20%

Accuracy19%

View Program

Precision Mid-Irons

Maximize in regulation, for a 1-handicap player, ~10 minutes.

Driving Range~31 min0 HCP8 drills

Scoring27%

Distance Control17%

Precision17%

View Program

Improve Short Iron Accuracy

Reduce misses, for a 18-handicap player, ~15 minutes.

Driving Range~31 min17 HCP3 drills

Distance Control27%

Trajectory20%

Scoring20%

View Program

2026

Prepare for Tournaments at The Machrie

Follow a complete multi-week structured practice program ahead of the upcoming events and arrive prepared.

Scotland

Northern Ladies Open

6/20/2026

Stroke

WAGR

women

Open for registration

View full preparation program

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about The Machrie

Get answers to common questions about playing The Machrie and what to expect.

How difficult is The Machrie for mid-handicap golfers?

The Machrie is regarded as a strategically complex layout. The 120 slope rating keeps it accessible for developing players. The course rating of 70 reflects on scoring relative to par 71.

What tees should a 15 handicap play at The Machrie?

A 15 handicap golfer should consider tees closer to 6000 yards. The back tees extend to 6500 yards, which makes approach shots longer and scoring more challenging.

What is considered a good score at The Machrie?

With a course rating of 70 and par 71, a mid-handicap golfer would typically score in the mid to high 80s. Stronger players aiming to break 71 must manage approach shots and avoid penalty strokes.

How long is The Machrie and how does yardage affect play?

At a full length of 6500 yards, it balances distance with positional strategy.

What type of course is The Machrie and how should I play it?

Architecturally, it reflects a Links style. Overall, the setup will reward players who place the ball in safe positions far from hazards. Also, type of shot is more crucial rather than just trying to gain distance.

What features make The Machrie strategically challenging?

The combination of a slope rating of 120 and yardage reaching 6500 yards creates consistent pressure on approach shots. You will need to balance risk and reward, especially on longer par 4s and protected greens.

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