Muirfield, East Lothian
The Honorable Company of Edimburgh Golfers
The place
Located just 50 minutes east of Edinburgh, East Lothian is home to one of the oldest golf clubs. Muirfield has given testimony of the creation of the “Honorable Edinburgh Golf Company” and the written thirteen Rules of Play that specify the regulations governing conditions of play.
Golf
Within a 30 minutes driving radius, find 21 different golf courses in East Lothian.
Muirfield
- Established in 1744, this golf course presents a challenge in all 18 holes. With excellent conditions, this classic links layout is considered the “fairest” of The Open Rota by pros.
- After an unforgettable golf day, put on a shirt and tie and enjoy an excellent meal at the Club House, make some time to tour the halls filled with historical content and golf memorabilia.
- Although Muirfield does not have its own pro-shop, its merchandising is available at the Alastair Brown Proshop at Gullane no.1.
North Berwick
- Golf has been played over this historic links course since the 17th century. This traditional championship course’s unique design features a rock walls bordering the fairway of the 13th, that you must fly over to land on the green.
- The golf course starts in town and stretches along the Firth of Forth shores, providing breathtaking views of beaches, islands and the Fife hills.
- Holes 1 and 18 have a very similar layout to the Old Course, and the par 3 of the 15th features the Original Redan Hole, the single most copied hole in the history of golf course architecture.
Gullane N°1
- Gullane is a small town, neighbour to Muirfield that lives and breathes golf. Gullane N°1 was established in 1882, and it is a typical Scottish links course, with many memorable holes. The opening hole, cunningly called “The First” is a gentle short par 4. The 3rd hole a short par 5, called the “Racecourse”, is set on the lands of what used to be an 18th century racecourse. Lastly, reach the 7th tee and admire the view from the top of Gullane Hill.
- With a history of hosting national and international golf events, this members club has seen the Final Qualy for the Open Championship at neighbouring Muirfield and also the Scottish Open.
Other recommended golf courses
Play members only courses like the Renaissance and the Archefield, make sure to request tee times with anticipation if you would like to play these clubs.
Other things to do
Visit Edinburgh and discover a city like no other. Steeped in history, Edinburgh seamlessly blends the Old Town's narrow winding lanes, steep staircases, and hidden passageways with new neighbourhoods. Visit must see attractions like Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Arthur’s seat, distilleries, and the Rugby Museum in Murrayfield.
If you fancy bird watching, join expert guide Malcolm Duck, observing many of the stunning bird species in Scotland.
Planning
Where to stay
East Lothian offers a wide variety of lodging options, from mansions and castles renovated into modern hotels like the Marine Hotel of North Berwick (R&A base during the Muirfield Open). Gullane, Archefield or North Berwick are nearby towns with a variety of options.
Time to book
Tee times at Muirfield usually sell out the same day they are posted. In addition, non-members are limited to play on specific days (Tuesdays and Thursdays) so we suggest planning a trip to this destination with at least 10 months anticipation.
When to travel
The best time of the year to visit and play is from May through beginning of October, these months are also a guarantee of good weather.
How to get there
Fly into Edinburgh international airport and drive to East Lothian. Alternatively, fly into London and take a convenient train ride to this destination.
