Classic Challenge

10 Things You Might Not Know About Muirfield

Ancient History

Muirfield is the home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. Considered the world’s oldest Golf Club they were originally based at Leith Links near Edinburgh. In 1744 the gentlemen drew up the first set of rules to coincide with an open-to-all tournament held over the five-hole course. Not unlike those we play today, the only rule which has historians furrowing their collective brow is the one which states: "Your tee must be upon the ground."

Muirfield or Marshland?

Originally designed by ‘Old’ Tom Morris of St Andrews, Muirfield opened for play on 3 May, 1891. The name derives from "muir" or "moor-field" – the Scottish word for an uncultivated scrubland area. Now considered in the world’s top-10 golf courses, Muirfield received some savage reviews including one from top Scottish amateur Freddie Tait who said: "I hate Muirfield like poison!" He was followed by Andrew Kirkaldy who described it as "not fit for golf" and no more than "an old water meadow."

Amateur Hour

Harold Hilton won the first Open played at Muirfield in 1892. One of only three amateurs to have lifted the Claret Jug, along with John Ball Jnr and Bobby Jones, he won by three strokes despite not having a single practice round. The first championship played over 72 holes, the course had barely been opened nine months. The 2013 Open will the 16th time the event has been played here.

Controversial Start

Like Royal Lytham the opening hole at Muirfield was originally a 204-yard, par-three played across the front of the clubhouse. The cause of much controversy, the green was situated hard by a knee-high stone boundary wall on land now occupied by the caddie master’s hut. "So many balls have been sent over the wall and so many others have bounced off it and run quite close to the hole," wrote the editor of American Golfer in 1909. Changed to a long par-four in 1928, it is now considered among the most testing openers on the Open rota.

Change is in the Air

In 1923, the Honourable Company secured 50 acres of land to the north of the course. Renowned course designer Harry Colt was consulted and he introduced 14 new holes including two concentric loops of nine, one running clockwise around the outer edge with the back nine running anti-clockwise inside the outward nine. Changes to the signature par-three 13th hole were made by Tom Simpson in 1935. Bringing the course up to date for this year’s Open, relatively small changes were made at 15 holes in 2010 and 2011 following a review by architect Martin Hawtree.