Muirfield

Muirfield | The Honourable Company Of Edinburgh Golfers

Muirfield in Scotland is one of the most eccentric and elite Golf Clubs in the world.

The Course was designed and opened for play by Tom Morris in 1891 and was designed as a 16 hole golf course. A further two holes were constructed a few months later.

The course has had lots of work since and by a further two Iconic course designers Harry Colt and James Simpson.

Muirfield is commonly known as the Augusta National of Scotland. The famous Open Championship course is steeped in tradition having hosted the Open Championship 15 times. Past Winners include Sir Henry Cotton, Walter Hagen, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Travino, Tom Watson, Nick Faldo, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson.

Muirfield has always held a very cult status and was one of the very last golf clubs in the U.K to forbid lady members although thankfully since 2019, Ladies have been able to join. Joining, however, is on an invitation-only basis.

The course welcomes visitors on Tuesdays and Thursdays but booking a tee time at Muirfield requires a healthy budget and a lot of planning, A year's notice is not uncommon.

The Course

One of the hardest tee shots in golf awaits you on the first hole. The Tee shot is usually played into the prevailing wind, and staying away from the horseshoe bunker on the left-hand side is essential. The course is demanding, and low scores are not achieved with ease.

However, Muirfield is actually a very fair test of golf, with limited blind shots, fair and true greens, not a single fearsome carry and no water hazards.

With only three par 5's on the Links layout, the 5th hole is its best. A collection of five bunkers set the channelled fairway of the hole. Golfer's choosing to lay up leaving a good wedge will have a large bunker creeping in from the left to keep clear from whilst players going for the green in two need to aim with pinpoint precision through the bunkers protecting the green. Johnny Miller famously holed out from his second shot in the 1972 Open Championship.

All of the par 3's are solid, and the 13th is a stunning golf hole playing 193 from the tips.

Signature Hole

Our favourite hole on the course is the closing hole 18. The 18th is a classic golf hole and heading back towards the clubhouse for an infamous lunch is often more spoken about than the golf itself. The Drive lays slightly at the angle and requires nothing other than precision as three bunkers await bang on driving position with the land attracting everything in their direction. The green is armoured and ready with two 20 foot bunkers either side of the green and two pot bunkers shot for those who lack the ambition to finish the round in glory. The 18th is truly a great finishing hole that has crowned champions and broken many hearts.

Bucket List

Muirfield is one course that has to be high on any golfers bucket list, Plan and save for a costly round of golf. The day itself will live in the memory for all of your days.