Public

Muirfield Course

Muirfield Golf Club

Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland
dawes.nigel
dm4squared
stewartverdery
Paddo
Golfer
+92
18 holesPar 717,209 yds73.8/142

About this course

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.

Rankings

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.

33

Best in World

7

Best in UK

5

Best in Scotland

Quick facts

Location
Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland
Access
Public
Year built
1891
Holes
18
Par
71
Length
7,209 yards
Difficulty
73.8/142
Course Vaults score
9.3

Getting there

The journey to Muirfield Golf Club begins at Edinburgh Airport (EDI), situated roughly twenty miles west of Gullane, a drive of approximately forty-five minutes that carries you eastward through the rolling farmland and coastal approaches of East Lothian. For those arriving by private aviation, Turnhouse airfield offers a discreet alternative closer to the Scottish capital. The final leg unfolds along quiet country roads that descend gently toward the Firth of Forth, where the austere elegance of Muirfield's entrance emerges from the windswept links landscape - a clubhouse of restrained Scottish stone that announces itself not through grandeur but through the unmistakable presence of one of golf's most storied and selective sanctuaries.

FAQ

Common questions about Muirfield

Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.

Muirfield has a Course Vaults score of 9.3 out of 10 based on 97 logged golfers.

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.

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