Hole 10 – Mount Zion – 123 yards

Standing on the 10th tee, you’ll clearly see why this hole is named Mount Zion. A short par 3 but up a steep hill to a plateaued green which seems to jut out from a cliff face. Club selection is all important depending on the wind strength and direction. Too little and you’ll run back down the hill, too much and you’ll end up in the rough beyond and facing a devilish chip down the lighting quick slope back to the green, praying your ball holds on!

Hole 11 – The Cleet – 266 yards

Once you’ve taken in the stunning view westwards towards the Mull and the coast of Ulster beyond, climb up to the highest point of the course and brace yourself for a tee-shot down the Cleet (the rocky beach or skerries). An eminently birdiable par 4 in fair conditions, a prevailing south westerly wind will carry a poor shot high and wide of the mark and possibly into oblivion…

Hole 12 – Brunerican - 277 yards

Another short par 4 which will test your short game in particular: with Brunerican beach behind, a fairway wood or long iron up the slope towards Brunerican farm will leave a short pitch over the top to a blind exposed green behind. More often that not a difficult lie with the ball above or below your feet will require a good pitch shot as the green slopes right to left and the pin is routinely in a challenging position needing finely judged putting even from the shortest range. Not too many gimmes given here! Remember to ring the bell to let other golfers know the green is clear!!

Hole 13 - The Cemetery - 466 Yards

Not the longest of par 5’s and probably originally named because the hole runs in the direction of the Cemetery down at Keil beach, the hole is well known as a potential card-wrecker and its name is better put down to the fact that many a good round has come to grief here. Out of bounds all the way down the right and deep rough to the left calls for a fearless drive to the relatively narrow fairway in between. Even then the fairway is criss-crossed by two trenches which fork together at Dunaverty’s ancient standing stone. Two hillocks rise up like two giant shoulders to protect the entrance to the large green which lies beyond.

Hole 14 - The Rest and be Thankful - 194 yards

Named after the famous high point in the pass through the “Arrochar Alps” through which most visitors by car to Kintyre will travel, a steep climb to the tee which is situated on top of a massive dune brings the reward of a wonderful 360 degree panoramic view. The hole itself is a long par 3 at just under 200 yards with a huge “valley of sin” between tee and the plateau where the green lies waiting to gobble up any shot that fails to carry the distance.

Hole 15 - McNeil - 352 yards

A dog-leg par 4 which runs alongside the Conieglen Burn and with a huge swathe of whins to the left. The difficulty lies in judging the weight and loft of the second shot to hit this green in regulation. The green itself is relatively narrow, raised and undulating and frequently throws balls out to the left side into numerous trough-like gulleys giving a tight lie for a chip and putt to salvage par. The McNeils are a long established Kintyre family and it was one such descendent who donated the McNeil Cup for the hotly-contested annual fixture between the Dunaverty and Machrihanish golf clubs

Hole 16 - Argyll - 148 yards

Facing due North towards the great County of Argyll, this is a short par 3 to a small back to front sloping green. The 2nd of Dunaverty's bunkers protects the right side of the green with bracken left and behind making it a difficult green to hit particularly in a stiff breeze. Depending on the wind strength, the hole offers different ways to play it – a traditional lofted pitch direct to the green or a low bump-and run up the slope. Whatever route you chose, missing the green will call upon your best short game to get up and down in par.

Hole 17 - The Burn - 412 yards

A greenkeeper’s pride and joy and the signature hole on the back nine: it’s a magnificent sight from the tee with a lush, grassy fairway running all the way to the water’s edge and on the other side a large back-to-front sloping green. Out of bounds all the way down the right, a well hit drive down the fairway will offer a second shot to the green requiring you to carry the Burn and also the Road. Too much club is often the better option as the bank behind the green will often carry a shot landing beyond the green back down the slope towards the pin.

Hole 18 - Machribeg - 323 yards

Homeward bound now back towards the Clubhouse and Machribeg farm beyond. Thoughts will now be on finishing in style and on taking some well-earned sustenance thereafter. This is a forgiving par 4 with plenty of fairway to give you the confidence to open up the shoulders and let one rip! Two good shots should provide a birdie opportunity but you’ll be happy with a par. Most importantly though, you’ll be left with that all important feel-good factor and thinking about your next round at Dunaverty.