MUIRFIELD

Located at the eastern end of the magical East Lothian town of Gullane, whose character is inherently tied to golf, Muirfield occupies a stretch of coastline that is seemingly god-given for golf. The austere society's history can be traced back to 1744, when Edinburgh's gentry played over five holes on the Leith Links, but the Company has long since occupied the majestic Muirfield turf.

15 Open Championships, the most recent in 2002, are testament to the outstanding quality of Muirfield's links layout, which features with unerring regularity in any creditable list of the greatest courses in the world. The outward nine runs clockwise and envelops the anti-clockwise inward half, demanding that golfers tackle the relentless seaside wind from every angle. Muirfield certainly does not lack admirers, but the head of the queue is occupied by the great Jack Nicklaus, who chose to pay homage by naming his Ohio resort after the East Lothian gem.

For golf in its purest sense there are few courses that can rival Muirfield, which promises to be a truly magical experience.