Muirfield Course
Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland


Muirfield isn't merely a golf course; it’s a shrine where the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers has codified the game's laws since 1744, and where history is not just remembered, but actively played. Carved into classic East Lothian linksland, the course presents a deceptively gentle façade; undulating fairways and strategically placed bunkers demand a mastery of ground game and an appreciation for the capricious coastal winds. It’s a course that favors cunning over brute strength, rewarding players who can visualize and execute creative shot-making. Old Tom Morris initially laid out ten holes, subsequently expanded to eighteen. Later, Harry Colt subtly refined the layout in the early 20th century, subtly modernizing it while respecting the course's inherent character. Muirfield's most notable characteristic is its routing: a clockwise circuit that ensures players experience the wind from every conceivable angle during a round. Muirfield has played host to The Open Championship sixteen times, its hallowed turf having witnessed some of the sport's most iconic moments and champions. Most recently, Henrik Stenson's record-breaking performance in 2016 etched itself into golfing lore here. The club maintains a deliberately understated presence, its focus remaining firmly on the game itself, an environment where tradition is revered and the camaraderie amongst its members is genuine. It's said that the post-round lunches in the clubhouse, complete with traditional Scottish fare, are as fiercely contested as the matches on the links.
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Public column compares courses anyone can play.
Best in World
Public: #9
Best in UK
Public: #7
Best in Scotland
Public: #5
Golfers say Muirfield offers a refined, traditional experience that stands apart from its quirkier neighbor North Berwick, with reviewers praising its artful bunkering and near-perfect routing that creates an ideal canvas for championship golf. Most highlight the formal atmosphere—jacket and tie required for the acclaimed carvery lunch—as integral to the club's sense of place and old-world charm, with one calling the full-day experience of morning and afternoon rounds punctuated by fine dining "truly hard to top." While some find individual holes less memorable than the overall impression, the consensus is that Muirfield delivers something special, with its adherence to tradition enhancing rather than detracting from the visit.
9.3
94 players
Incredible course and we got the 36 hole experience with lunch but somehow it didn’t quite live up to expectations, perhaps due to poor play. The bunkers are so penal that it seemed unfair. A number of memorable holes but a few that seemed repetitive. The alternate shot was a quirky replay format and very fast. F&B was awesome.
Best lunch anywhere w jacket and tie
If North Berwick is known for its fun and quirk, just down the road, Muirfield is its more refined neighbor. I think back on my day at Muirfield in 2022 and while I don’t have vivid memories of many of the holes or the order in which they fell, I do remember it as an almost perfect canvas for golf. The bunkering is artful and the routing is perfect. While Muirfield is somewhat a vestige of golf from years gone by with jacket and tie required and as “private” as any golf club in Scotland can really be, I don’t begrudge it its Ps&Qs. Muirfield has a sense of place. It is somewhere that feels special. Finishing the morning fourball round, re-donning the jacket and tie in anticipation of a fine carvery lunch, a bottle of wine and afternoon foursomes is truly hard to top.
The whole day experience at Muifield is an incredible one. Pack a Jacket and tie and take 7 of your best buddies
Incredible track, stay at Greywalls if you have the chance
Public courses closest to Muirfield.
FAQ
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Muirfield has a Course Vaults score of 9.3 out of 10 based on 58 explicit golfer ratings.
Muirfield was designed by Martin Hawtree.
Yes. Muirfield is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.
Par at Muirfield is 71.
Muirfield plays 7,209 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Muirfield is 142.