I visited Muirfield last week - only 10 weeks or so since the GCA event - and the rough has grown up markedly. They are obviously readying the course for the British Seniors Open and it really is punitive in the best Muirfield tradition.
The feature of the course - other than the wonderful clubhouse - is the amazing variety of the bunkers. I tried to capture some of this in these pictures.
I also had the pleasure of meeting and dining with Alastair Brown who has been secretary for four years. He is excellent company, a really nice man and clearly a strong contrast to some of the rather austere personalities who preceded him.
The 2nd green...
View from the back of the third - a tricky approach because the mounds in front of the green forshorten things. The green itself is very long - around 35 yards.
A view from the side of the short 4th
The 5th green
The 6th fairway - the hole with most character on the course.
The 8th viewed from the 7th tee...
Cross bunkers short of the 8th green...
Bunkers protecting the right of the 9th - and the hidden central bunker which captures the unsuspsecting.
Looking back at the 11th tee, with the 10th on the left and the 18th in the distant on the right
The 11th green with the pin on the right ledge...
The wonderful short 13th...
A serious links bunker on the right of the 13th.
Looking towards the 14th fairway
Bunker on the 14th...
Centre bunker short of 15....plays a big role on the hole, helping make the approach look much more daunting than the reality
The short 16th...
The "coffin" bunker on the 17th - a really brutal hazard.
Looking up the 18th....
Doughnut bunker on the right of the 18th green
Looking back down 18....