Muirfield

[Cmoney710]

What is everyone’s take on playing Muirfield?

[CallWhitey]

If you can do it, you must play it. Awesome golfing experience.

[DandyDon]

probably the toughest I ever played.....loved it. helpful hint, don't miss the fairway...

[thecraw]

Very good track. Tremendous experience and welcome, clubhouse is phenomenal.

[Malvern]

Our group had a lot of fun playing the course, my experience is less positive.

Can't remember the day they let visitors on but it seems like a bit of a money making sausage grinder, they shove as may people on as they can (as is their right). I've been back to Scotland twice since, didn't go back to Muirfield.

[Hawkeye77]

I sent an email which was acknowledged several months ago and I suppose it is possible I may get an email shortly before or during our trip, but honestly looking at the price and the other options around North Berwick I am likely to pass even if I'm notified. So much for me and my wife to do, and courses to play together our week in East Lothian on the second leg of our trip, including successive rounds at North Berwick on Sunday and Monday (assuming I don't cancel one of those in favor of catching a different course or a train trip to Edinburgh) before leaving Wednesday a.m. (maybe after golf on Wednesday) that I can think of better ways to spend Tuesday than trucking over to Muirfield for the day, so not really the dilemma I'd hoped it would be, lol.

[tiderider]

Maybe ... if you book online when they open up tee times for the following summer, it appears you are charged for the morning foursome AND afternoon alternating shots, regardless if you play that second round ... we had only 3 people, so thankfully someone called on Monday and grabbed that 4th spot, which was refunded ... no refund on the 2nd round ... that said, if you find an open slot and are a single digit, play it ... fairways are narrow, full of bunkers, and the rough is penal ...

[duffer987]

> @Hawkeye77 said:

> I sent an email which was acknowledged several months ago and I suppose it is possible I may get an email shortly before or during our trip, but honestly looking at the price and the other options around North Berwick I am likely to pass even if I'm notified. So much for me and my wife to do, and courses to play together our week in East Lothian on the second leg of our trip, including successive rounds at North Berwick on Sunday and Monday (assuming I don't cancel one of those in favor of catching a different course or a train trip to Edinburgh) before leaving Wednesday a.m. (maybe after golf on Wednesday) that I can think of better ways to spend Tuesday than trucking over to Muirfield for the day, so not really the dilemma I'd hoped it would be, lol.

 

I'd hate to over-mention it as to overrate it :-) but you could do worse than venture down the road to Goswick if you wanted to see something else + do some non-golf touristing post round.

That said North Berwick is never the wrong answer when it comes to deciding on where to play!

[Hawkeye77]

Berwick-upon-Tweed is on a list of possible day trips, wasn't even thinking of golf and this course looks pretty cool - we can say we visited Scotland, Northern Ireland (day ferry to Belfast) and England - very intriguing!

[duffer987]

> @Hawkeye77 said:

> Berwick-upon-Tweed is on a list of possible day trips, wasn't even thinking of golf and this course looks pretty cool - we can say we visited Scotland, Northern Ireland (day ferry to Belfast) and England - very intriguing!

 

Really fun course, will definitely get back there. Berwick fun town. Bamburgh Castle for your castleing needs. Solid day out :-)

[milesgiles]

Seconded^ Goswick is probably the best UK course no one ever mentions..slightly longer drive but better than Dunbar and much cheaper

[El Gringo]

Goswick, is a course I very much admire. That said, Muirfield is clearly one of the premier golf days in GB&I which should be experienced at least once if you can swing the green fee.

 

Ciao

[ceejay81]

> @Hawkeye77 said:

> I sent an email which was acknowledged several months ago and I suppose it is possible I may get an email shortly before or during our trip, but honestly looking at the price and the other options around North Berwick I am likely to pass even if I'm notified. So much for me and my wife to do, and courses to play together our week in East Lothian on the second leg of our trip, including successive rounds at North Berwick on Sunday and Monday (assuming I don't cancel one of those in favor of catching a different course or a train trip to Edinburgh) before leaving Wednesday a.m. (maybe after golf on Wednesday) that I can think of better ways to spend Tuesday than trucking over to Muirfield for the day, so not really the dilemma I'd hoped it would be, lol.

 

 

I've emailed them twice in the past 6-8 months about playing there on the Tuesday or Thursday I'm in the area and they told me each time that I'm on the waiting list if a spot opens up. No idea if this waiting list is real or not, but I guess there's always a chance I hear something in the next 2 weeks. I'll be near Muirfield on 7/23 and 7/25 so I figured it was worth a shot to ask them.

[tiderider]

Don’t know if a list is actual or not, but we had an open spot (we had paid for a foursome) that the club knew about that was filled 3 days before our tee time ... guy called on a Monday and got the slot, and they notified me of it that day ...

[fredstar]

> @Hawkeye77 said:

> I sent an email which was acknowledged several months ago and I suppose it is possible I may get an email shortly before or during our trip, but honestly looking at the price and the other options around North Berwick I am likely to pass even if I'm notified. So much for me and my wife to do, and courses to play together our week in East Lothian on the second leg of our trip, including successive rounds at North Berwick on Sunday and Monday (assuming I don't cancel one of those in favor of catching a different course or a train trip to Edinburgh) before leaving Wednesday a.m. (maybe after golf on Wednesday) that I can think of better ways to spend Tuesday than trucking over to Muirfield for the day, so not really the dilemma I'd hoped it would be, lol.

 

If you have an afternoon spare, go and have a round at Kilspindie. It's a great little links.

[Hawkeye77]

> @fredstar said:

> > @Hawkeye77 said:

> > I sent an email which was acknowledged several months ago and I suppose it is possible I may get an email shortly before or during our trip, but honestly looking at the price and the other options around North Berwick I am likely to pass even if I'm notified. So much for me and my wife to do, and courses to play together our week in East Lothian on the second leg of our trip, including successive rounds at North Berwick on Sunday and Monday (assuming I don't cancel one of those in favor of catching a different course or a train trip to Edinburgh) before leaving Wednesday a.m. (maybe after golf on Wednesday) that I can think of better ways to spend Tuesday than trucking over to Muirfield for the day, so not really the dilemma I'd hoped it would be, lol.

>

> If you have an afternoon spare, go and have a round at Kilspindie. It's a great little links.

 

It's on the must/will play list! Their clubhouse/dining look great as well!

[Hawkeye77]

> @tiderider said:

> Maybe ... if you book online when they open up tee times for the following summer, it appears you are charged for the morning foursome AND afternoon alternating shots, regardless if you play that second round ... we had only 3 people, so thankfully someone called on Monday and grabbed that 4th spot, which was refunded ... no refund on the 2nd round ... that said, if you find an open slot and are a single digit, play it ... fairways are narrow, full of bunkers, and the rough is penal ...

 

And I know you aren't saying so, but don't want anyone thinking I'm knocking the place when I've never played it - the alternate shot in the afternoon with some random member would probably be a blast, some of my favorite Opens have been there/favorite players won there, but with me and the wife on the trip and my already basically taking a day to myself to play a comp at Kilmarnock the week before, just not sure a whole day at Muirfield on my own would be the smartest move, lol, on the last full day in Scotland (next day we could play, but will be driving back to Glasgow area for overnight before flying home early the next morning). I have no doubt they maintain a wait list and do it accurately, so with my luck I'll probably get notice I can play and will have to say "no". We do have tickets that night at Fringe By The Sea for a group appropriately called "Old Blind Dogs" - I just don't want to be old dumb dog.

[Schley]

I can tell you there is a list, as I called a 2nd time to inquire about a separate date after being put on the list originally after my 1st call. I asked where I was on the list for the 1st date that I gave 2 days prior. The lady didn't give me my exact number, but said honestly, no doubt, "probably don't have a good chance from your spot." When I gave the last name only she said...."Jeff, right?" I said yes ma'am. So that tells me there is a list somewhere. As to if it is first on first out I have no idea, but would be surprised if they don't have integrity to keep a list when they say they do.

[mci711]

Definitely some sort of list. I inquired a few months ago about a tee time and I was told I would be put on the list. they got back to me yesterday about having an opening on my date.

[tiderider]

> @Hawkeye77 said:

> > @tiderider said:

> > Maybe ... if you book online when they open up tee times for the following summer, it appears you are charged for the morning foursome AND afternoon alternating shots, regardless if you play that second round ... we had only 3 people, so thankfully someone called on Monday and grabbed that 4th spot, which was refunded ... no refund on the 2nd round ... that said, if you find an open slot and are a single digit, play it ... fairways are narrow, full of bunkers, and the rough is penal ...

>

> And I know you aren't saying so, but don't want anyone thinking I'm knocking the place when I've never played it - the alternate shot in the afternoon with some random member would probably be a blast, some of my favorite Opens have been there/favorite players won there, but with me and the wife on the trip and my already basically taking a day to myself to play a comp at Kilmarnock the week before, just not sure a whole day at Muirfield on my own would be the smartest move, lol, on the last full day in Scotland (next day we could play, but will be driving back to Glasgow area for overnight before flying home early the next morning). I have no doubt they maintain a wait list and do it accurately, so with my luck I'll probably get notice I can play and will have to say "no". We do have tickets that night at Fringe By The Sea for a group appropriately called "Old Blind Dogs" - I just don't want to be old dumb dog.

 

i'll say this: it's not a "fun" course ... now that's after all of 1 round, but it's strictly a test of your game ... a very straightforward test ... you must drive the ball well, due to the bunkering in the fairways and the very penal rough ... probably not all that interesting ... but i'd like to play it again ...

[duffer987]

Just as a heads up incase anyone is in the neighbourhood in September - Greywalls has a twosome available on Monday September 9th.

 

I'd emailed to ask about the 13th and was told their annual Muirfield allotment ends on the 9th.

[downforg]

I played it once two years ago from the waiting list as a single. The experience is among the best in golf if you play 36 and have the lunch otherwise skip it unless you just need to check the box that you played it. The course itself is not spectacular and honestly a bit subpar for an American wanting a great links course. However the bunkering is superb! Muirfield is a must play once in your life for the full days experience, nothing like it in America.