Muirfield is often mentioned by visitors to Scotland as a golf course on which they feel it will be very difficult to get a tee-time. In actual fact is quite straightforward to book a time at Muirfield. You just have to plan well in advance.

Muirfield is home to the 2013 Open Championship and to the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. It is a private members' golf club with restricted visitor times but the golf times that are available are booked on a clear first come, first served basis. All visitors must have a handicap of no more than 18.

Visiting golfers are able to play the course on two days a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Visitor times are made available up to 15 months in advance of play. So now, in May 2011, Muirfield are taking bookings through to end of July 2012. Visitor times are from 08:30 to 09:50 and groups start on both the 1st tee and 10th tee.

Until recently only a 2 ball format could be played from the 1st tee but visitors can now play as 4 balls from both tees.

36 hole bookings are possible but the afternoon tee-off times are not allocated in advance, times are confirmed on the day of play. Afternoon play must be in foursomes format – that is 4 golfers playing 2 balls between them in an alternate shot format. Muirfield members do not play the course in four ball format.

The golf course has a very helpful website - http://bit.ly/f2xTC3 - that shows exactly what visitor tee-times are available.

Please note that women may only play at Muirfield if in a golf group with men. All visiting golfers, both men and women, are welcome to use the clubhouse facilities and have lunch in the Dining Room.