Muirfield (Muirfield)

Member Name: polydeuces

Product:	Muirfield
Date:	06/08/08 (5 review reads)
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One of the first things you notice about Muirfield is how big it is. It fills a huge area and each hole seems to have been crafted separately with no other hole impinging or compromising its shape. The feeling is that each hole is a separate defining challenge. It is also different in that the outward 9 goes around the outside of the course (making it a long walk) with the inner 9 encompassed in the centre. Muirfield is a lovely course, in some ways more enjoyable to play than other championship courses. It has few trees but many rolls and little hills to make it interesting. Situated near Edinburgh it is close to the North Sea and Firth of Forth so the wind can get up and make the course more difficult.

The course opens with a long par 4 but with few hazards. Main danger is a large bunker to the left of the fairway and then more bunkers as you approach the green. One of the features of Muirfield is the positioning of bunkers to provide the additional test. The shorter 2nd is one such hole where after the undulating fairway the green is guarded to the right by a cluster of bunkers. The left of the green slopes away sharply to ensure loss of accuracy is punished. The 3rd is a devilish par 4 which after a relatively easy drive narrows alarmingly before the green. Your 2nd shot is vital if you're to get par here. After this it's a nice par 3 of 180yds to an elevated green. The 500yd + par 5 5th is next but no major dangers here. The dogleg 6th has dangers aplenty though from its sloping fairway and guarding bunkers. More slopes await near the elevated green.
The 7th is another par 3 to an elevated green surrounded by bunkers. On the 8th you will find some trees to the right, find the trees to the left and you are out of bounds. Best though to aim left to give yourself the best approach to the green. The 9th is a long par 4 where you need to avoid the out of bounds beyond the wall to your left. The 10th is a similar length but apart from a few bunkers no major problems. The greens on the 11th and the 12th are guarded by a mass of bunkers but the approaches to both holes are not too difficult.

The 13th is a par 3 with a slope at the front of the green. At just 150yds if the weather is not too bad its an easy 9 iron. The 14th is a long par 4 but is straight and not too difficult. The drive off the 14th is difficult as the non-championship tee brings in three large bunkers at about 200yds. Drive over these and you have a chance at the green but more bunkers await placed in front of and around the green. The 16th is a longer par 3 of 180yds with bunkers gurading practically all its circumference. The 17th is a long par 5 which turns to the left, anything but good long drives on this hole and dropped shots are certain. Finally the 18th is a straight par 4 which heads directly towards the magnificent clubhouse. Again bunkers guard the approach and the gree is not that big but it is a lovely closing hole.

Golf has been played here for over 250 years and it lays claim to be the oldest course used for championship golf. (250 years is older than the US constitution let alone their golf courses). It is a magnificent course.

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