[Ben Jarvis]

If given the opportunity to play both, BUT you could only choose one due to schedule restrictions, which would you choose and why?

[Scott Warren]

There is nothing else in golf like the back nine at North Berwick.

[Angela Moser]

Hi Ben,

A very good question. Even I adore North Berwick, I would choose Muirfield. Women get very limited access on it. The Routing is outer circle/inner circle, great holes, great condition since it isn't very easy to get on it, tremendous history and they host the open 2013.

But as I said... I love North Berwick. There are so cool holes out there, but if I could get the possibility to play Muirfield I would go there.

Best,
Angela

[Ben Jarvis]

There is nothing else in golf like the back nine at North Berwick.

Scott, from what I've seen and read, it just looks like so much fun! And a chance to see the Pit hole, the original Redan and Biarritz makes North Berwick so tempting, perhaps not to be missed!

[Ben Jarvis]

Hi Ben,

A very good question. Even I adore North Berwick, I would choose Muirfield. Women get very limited access on it. The Routing is outer circle/inner circle, great holes, great condition since it isn't very easy to get on it, tremendous history and they host the open 2013.

But as I said... I love North Berwick. There are so cool holes out there, but if I could get the possibility to play Muirfield I would go there.

Best,
Angela

Angela,

You've hit the nail on the head there. It seems both options present reasons for and against one another.

I'll be in St Andrews for two nights and want to give myself the best chance of getting on the Old Course in the ballot. Who knows, if i get an early time on the Old Course, I might catch the train back to Edinburgh and try to experience both Muirfield and North Berwick.

[Melvyn Morrow]

Ben

If you have not played it before and can get the full day with lunch then Muirfield due to its history is the one. You will be able to play North Berwick at your leisure so it can wait.

Although between the two I have to say I have more pulling me to North Berwick than Muirfield, but if it is your first time then Muirfield is the one – but try and get in with a Member, you will have a far better introduction to club and course that way.

Melvyn

[Bill_McBride]

Ben, it's really hard to be spontaneous with Muirfield, they only offer visitors Tuesday and Thursdays and not that many, so they fill up well in advance.

North Berwick will also save you a fistful of five pound notes if that's a consideration. 

Having said that, I would dearly love to play Muirfield one more day.   

[Ben Jarvis]

Ben

If you have not played it before and can get the full day with lunch then Muirfield due to its history is the one. You will be able to play North Berwick at your leisure so it can wait.

Although between the two I have to say I have more pulling me to North Berwick than Muirfield, but if it is your first time then Muirfield is the one – but try and get in with a Member, you will have a far better introduction to club and course that way.

Melvyn

Melvyn,

I appreciate your advice. The full "Muirfield Experience" would be one to savour!

It is my first time playing golf in Scotland and due to time restrictions, I want to make the very best of what time I have.

Thanks again,
Ben

[mike_beene]

Muirfield might be my favorite course in the world.However,if you have  never played either,North Berwick is more unique and has to be experienced. No question,it's N.Berwick.

[David Kelly]

Muirfield is a wonderful experience and a great golf course but of all the courses in Scotland, other than the Old Course, I think of North Berwick most often and would never pass on a round there when I am in the country.

[Mark Pearce]

Two great courses, both ones you should play at least once.  If you have to choose one, however, it has to be Muirfield.  It's one of the world's great courses.  Both have history, both have great holes, both host great clubs but Muirfield is that bit ahead on each front.  That said, where else are you playing that dictates a schedule which makes you miss out on one of these?  There really aren't that many courses in Scotland that I would prefer over NBWL, it just happens that Muirield is one.

[Ben Jarvis]

Two great courses, both ones you should play at least once.  If you have to choose one, however, it has to be Muirfield.  It's one of the world's great courses.  Both have history, both have great holes, both host great clubs but Muirfield is that bit ahead on each front.  That said, where else are you playing that dictates a schedule which makes you miss out on one of these?  There really aren't that many courses in Scotland that I would prefer over NBWL, it just happens that Muirield is one.

Mark,

I've only got three nights in Scotland, before heading over to Northern Ireland.

I am going to St Andrews to try my luck in the ballot over two days.

Since posting this thread, an opportunity has arisen to visit Dornoch, which at this stage, I'm going to try and do. Going to Dornoch will mean Muirfield and North Berwick are out of the equation.

[Brent Carlson]

Ben,

While North Berwick is tremendous - I have to go with Muirfield here.  A 36 hole day there is a top 5 experience in golf.  I really cannot say how cool it is.  That being said, NB is very good as well with the Redan, Biarritz, etc.  Based on your schedule you will have to do what's right for you. 

You also mentioned Royal Dornoch, which I prefer over both of the aforementioned courses.  With the courses you listed you cannot go wrong.  Enjoy the trip and let us know how it goes.

[Rich Goodale]

Ben

Unless you are severely money constrained (to the effect that an additional £100 or so, i.e. Muirfield vs. NB or Dornoch is a big deal) do Muirfield.  It is a very special overall experience--unequalled in the world of golf.  North Berwick is always fun to play, but several steps down vis a vis the overall experience (and the quality of the golf is several steps down too), and it will always be there.  Dornoch is a totally different experience to either of the East Lothian courses, so really shouldn't be in the equation, but it will always be there too.  If you might never get back to Scotland, play Dornoch.  If you plan to come back, do the full day at Muirfield and save Dornoch for a special and extended visit.  Tick off North Berwick if and when you can.

Rich

[Sean_A]

Ben

It depends on what you want.  If its a championship test with all that entails then Muirfield is the obvious choice.  The place is worth hangin' about for the day because Muirfield is about more than hitting shots. 

If you want golf which is unique and considerably more old-fashioned and cheaper then North Berwick is the obvious choice. 

Muirfield, NB and Dornoch should be seen at some point.  If this may be your last trip for quite some time and you are sold on either NB or Muirfield I would choose NB is a landslide.  It is like no other course while Muirfield isn't appreciably different from many championship courses.  Muirfield is more an intellectual test, very modern in what is demands with one of the best bunkering schemes on the planet.   while NB is an emotional experience which is an up and down ride of the good, bad and beautiful.  However, if Dornoch is definitely in the cards then I would strongly consider skipping East Lothian altogether and play more games at Dornoch while slipping in a game at Brora. 

Ciao 

[Simon Holt]

Ben,

You are covering some serious mileage!  I trust the Wales Open is penned in and you have a string inclination to watching that?  You will know tournament golf better than most with your caddying experience; you dont need me to tell you the pros and cons of being at an event - but if you are coming all this way why watch golf when you can play it? 

The good thing about the Old Course this year is that I believe the ballot is 48 hours in advance.  You will know if you are on the day before you board that train from London so can stop in Edinburgh en route.  Muirfield and NB might be a mute point as if you are deciding last minute depending on your Old Course ballot there is no way you will get on Muirfield without the help of a member. 

Muirfield is a pure championship test which I love, North Berwick will make you smile like you never have before on a golf course.  The choice is a personal one.

Dornoch is one of my favourite courses in the world but dont kill yourself with travel.  If you are going to play there then take the plane from London to Inverness.  Get the train back down to St. A from there before heading to Northern Ireland.

Just my 2 pennies worth.  If you end up spending more time in Edinburgh/North Berwick then let me know.  I may be away at that time of year but happy to help you out in anyway I can.

Simon

[Mike Nuzzo]

Ben

Unless you are severely money constrained (to the effect that an additional £100 or so, i.e. Muirfield vs. NB or Dornoch is a big deal) do Muirfield.  It is a very special overall experience--unequalled in the world of golf.  North Berwick is always fun to play, but several steps down vis a vis the overall experience (and the quality of the golf is several steps down too), and it will always be there.  Dornoch is a totally different experience to either of the East Lothian courses, so really shouldn't be in the equation, but it will always be there too.  If you might never get back to Scotland, play Dornoch.  If you plan to come back, do the full day at Muirfield and save Dornoch for a special and extended visit.  Tick off North Berwick if and when you can.

Rich

This is incredible advice & I have even played North Berwick with Rihc and loved every minute of it.
Who posted about the importance of a recovery shot recently... it was a fabulous post.
And some more proof to back him up:
Rihc hit one hell of a recovery on the 2nd

[Daryl David]

North Berwick.  Hands down.  No contest if you only have one round and it has to be one of those two.  NB will be awesome fun.  Muirfield will give you belt notching comments to make back home, but NB will stay in your mind for years.

[Ben Jarvis]

Hi all,

Thank you so much for all your advice.

There is clearly a lot of love for both Muirfield and North Berwick - a testament to the difficulty of answering my question.

Muirfield seems to be the pick of the bunch, but only if the "full experience" can be had. For that, I need my cards to fall the right way.

I like to be organised, which you might be able to see. Putting the pieces to the puzzle here is one difficult task!

[Kai Hulkkonen]

Played both for the first time last week. Muirlfield is a "modern" Open course, thus very little  quirk. North Berwick is a lot more more fun and you get that great feeling of wanting to go for a second round as soon as you sink your last putt on the 18th.  If lunch at Muirfield is an option, that just might be the only excuse to not go for North Berwick.

[Tom_Doak]

Ben:

There is a very simple answer to your question, and I can't believe no one has provided it correctly.

If your handicap is 6 or less, choose Muirfield.  Otherwise, choose North Berwick.

I'll bet you that 90% of the people who have recommended one over the other have chosen so as to prove this formula correct.

[Bryan Izatt]

Tom,

I guess I'm a 10%er; multiple times at NB and never at Muirfield, and my handicap used to be around 6.  Deciding factor at first was ease of access and price and the fact that I was doing last minute planning.  Subsequently, it was that NB is just so much fun, and I'm still doing last minute planning.

Ben,

Not sure where you are coming from or when or whether you'll be playing on your own or with others, but based on my experience (and I regularly do ridiculous 8 day circuitous tours of Scottish golf courses) I'd say that trying to do TOC and Royal Dornoch with 3 nights will be a logistical challenge. 

If you are playing as a single forget about the lottery for TOC.  Just go to the starter's hut and get on the list for an opening.  It is even doable for a two ball in my experience.  Don't forget to check and make sure the course is open for play the days you plan to be there.  They do have a lot of fixtures.

If you are going in summer, you may well be able to play both TOC and NB on the same day.

If you want to go to Muirfield, you need to plan and book well in advance.  Not sure when you were planning on going, but you may be too late to book already.

Both North Berwick and Dornoch are special golf courses.  I'd highly recommend both.  Hopefully you will get back to Scotland a second time to play whichever you missed and to play the myriad of other fine courses, both great and small.

[Mark Pearce]

I have a handicap in the low teens.  I play regularly with three other, non-GCA guys (though two have good taste in courses) and each year we have a day at Muirfield on the winter rate, in March, and a game in September at NBWL.  They play off 9, 10 and 15.  The 9 and 10, with me, prefer Muirfield (though love both), the 15 prefers NBWL and lunch at Muirfield.  Muirfield is not that tricky for a weaker golfer.

[Ben Jarvis]

Ben:

There is a very simple answer to your question, and I can't believe no one has provided it correctly.

If your handicap is 6 or less, choose Muirfield.  Otherwise, choose North Berwick.

I'll bet you that 90% of the people who have recommended one over the other have chosen so as to prove this formula correct.

Tom, your advice here is very sensible and I too have heard similar.

I am currently a 5 handicap, but as we all know, what we play off isn't necessarily what we play to, consistently anyway.

If only it was that easy to just choose Muirfield! I'll contact the club to see whether there is an opening during my visiting dates.

I am staying in Edinburgh on the Wednesday evening. Perhaps a game at North Berwick that late afternoon would be a good option.

[Scott Warren]

Ben,

If you're planning to cut between Edinburgh, St Andrews and East Lothian and hope to maximise golf time, I'd strongly encourage renting a car rather than relying on trains.

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