Booked at Muirfield . . .

[Ted Kramer]

The planning for my May trip to Scotland is coming along nicely . . .
I just received word that my request has been granted for a day of golf and lunch at Muirfield on Thurs. May 4th. My buddy and I are going to play a two ball in the morning off the 1st tee followed by lunch and then an afternoon round, to say that I am excited would be an enormous understatement.

As more details of the trip come together I'll post them in here in the hopes of meeting up with a GCAer or two while I'm overseas.

-Ted

[Tom_Doak]

Ted:

If you hear some machinery working in the woods by the sixth green, that would be my associates getting to work.  [It's still an "if" since we haven't got our final permit yet ... the approval of the expansion of the small college in Hadington is ahead of us on the agenda.]

By all means come over and see what we're up to, although we probably won't have many holes shaped by May.

[Geoffrey Childs]

Ted

Be carefull with 2 balls at Muirfield and make sure ahead of time that you will be allowed to play as a twosome and especially in the afternoon.  Afternoon play is (I thought) mandated to be foresomes (alternate shot) only.

[Ted Kramer]

Ted:

If you hear some machinery working in the woods by the sixth green, that would be my associates getting to work.  [It's still an "if" since we haven't got our final permit yet ... the approval of the expansion of the small college in Hadington is ahead of us on the agenda.]

By all means come over and see what we're up to, although we probably won't have many holes shaped by May.

Tom I'd love to be able to hook up with you and or your people during that trip. Maybe when we get a little closer to the dates of my trip you can point me in the right direction . . . (who to see, how to find them, etc.)

-Ted

[Ted Kramer]

Ted

Be carefull with 2 balls at Muirfield and make sure ahead of time that you will be allowed to play as a twosome and especially in the afternoon.  Afternoon play is (I thought) mandated to be foresomes (alternate shot) only.

We are booked for a 2ball the am, two players each playing his own ball. The afternoon round isn't as firmly booked but we'll have no problem going with the flow for the 2nd round. We'll play however the good people at Muirfield prefer.

-Ted

[Bob_Huntley]

Ted,

You will be playing a Singles Match, not a two ball.

Bob

[Robert Thompson]

Ted and Sean: When we played Muirfield last May there was no rush playing after lunch (the starter just said to come out when we were ready) and there was absolutely no problem playing a two man match after lunch. In fact, despite its reputation, I didn't find Muirfield to be snobby at all -- quite the contrary, quite friendly in fact.
The course, as one expects, is wonderful and wonderfully subtle. The stretch of 6 thru 11 has to be one of the toughest in golf, especially since the 9th is played as a very long four.

[Ted Kramer]

Thanks for all of the advice regarding slowing down enough to enjoy lunch and the club house before we head back out for the 2nd round. So long as the club allows, I plan to do exactly that.

Here is a portion of our confirmation regarding my reservation:



"I have pleasure in enclosing herewith our "Notes of the Guidance of Visitors
Playing at Muirfield" for your information and please note that NO
threeballs or single golfers are allowed on visitors' tee times.  If you are
playing a fourball in the morning you will have to play foursome (alternate
shot) in the afternoon.  Morning twoballs play twoball again in the
afternoon.  Should you have any further queries or wish to change the
arrangements please do not hesitate to contact me.   In the meantime I look
forward to meeting you on the day."



Being that the club has stated that we will be playing twoball in the morning I feel pretty comfortable in reporting the same.

-Ted

[John_Cullum]

Thanks for all of the advice regarding slowing down enough to enjoy lunch and the club house before we head back out for the 2nd round. So long as the club allows, I plan to do exactly that.

Here is a portion of our confirmation regarding my reservation:



"I have pleasure in enclosing herewith our "Notes of the Guidance of Visitors
Playing at Muirfield" for your information and please note that NO
threeballs or single golfers are allowed on visitors' tee times.  If you are
playing a fourball in the morning you will have to play foursome (alternate
shot) in the afternoon.  Morning twoballs play twoball again in the
afternoon.  Should you have any further queries or wish to change the
arrangements please do not hesitate to contact me.   In the meantime I look
forward to meeting you on the day."



Being that the club has stated that we will be playing twoball in the morning I feel pretty comfortable in reporting the same.

-Ted

I'm not so sure thats correct Ted. A lot of very knowledgeable people on this website are saying otherwise.

[Bob_Huntley]

Ted,

"Morning twoballs play twoball again in the
afternoon."  


Paddy Hamner has just called having had an apoplectic fit.

Bob

[Robert Thompson]

Actually we played a morning twoball and the same in the afternoon. I think Ted will find that's exactly the case.

[Robert Thompson]

And Bob, tell me this: What exactly is the difference between a two ball and a two person match? Sure if you play match play, one might pick up, but aside from the two playing, no one on the course would be able to tell the difference. I don't think Ted has to worry about the starter running up and shouting: "You, I think you're out of this hole. Pick up and walk to the green!" Then again, it is Muirfield, so what do I know.

[Ted Kramer]

You guys are funny . . .
I got the email from the club secretary.
Why in the world wouldn't she know how things go?
She works there.
It is her job to inform people as to what they should expect and what they are buying.

Could she be wrong?
Of course she could be, but if I was betting . . .
I'd bet she knows what she is talking about.

And to be perfectly honest, I really don't care what they tell us when we get there. I'll play any type of golf/format that the good people at Muirfield ask me to. I'm simply honored to have the opportunity to see the place, let alone play 2 rounds of golf there.

-Ted

[Marty Bonnar]

Ted,
Contrary to the ridiculous politically-driven pontifications of my be-spotted youth, Muirfield is quite simply one of the best golf experiences in this world (or any other).

Sure, there are other courses I have enjoyed playing more, but as an ALL-ROUND EXPERIENCE there's little to touch the 'auld watter meddie'!

From goose-bump inducing history in old portraits of men in red coats and beautiful silver golf clubs and balls, to the friendliest service I've ever had in any golf club to a golf course always in splendid condition, it is, as you guys might say, AWESOME!

You will have a great day....

FBD.

PS Let's hook up if possible next May.