Top Muirfield Four holes to watch

9th hole
(Champ 504yd Par 5, Medal 460yd Par 4) According to the stroke index this is the third hardest hole on the course. Aim your drive to the right of the huge sand hill -though the landing area is narrow.

There is even less margin for error on your second shot, with five bunkers just short of the pin on the right, and an out-of-bounds wall that runs from tee to green on the left.

Unless you're confident of avoiding these hazards, play safe by hitting to the wider part of the fairway - short and left of the five bunkers. If the wind is against you play for one over par.

16th hole
(Champ 188yd Medal 181yd Par 3) There are nine bunkers on this short hole -seven of them around the green. Only the back is not guarded by sand so it's better to be long than short.

A small dip in front of the green makes the pin look closer than it is. The green breaks gently from left to right.


17th hole
(Champ 550yd Medal 501yd Par 5) This is another tight driving hole. Play down the right for the best line to the green and to avoid four pot bunkers on the left.

Your second must clear broken ground and more sand -which shouldn't be a problem unless the wind is against you. Your short third has to thread its way between two massive bunkers at the entrance to the green. Although over 500yd (456m) away, the green is reachable in 2 with a following wind.

18th hole 
(Champ 448yd Medal 414yd Par 4) For the best line to the green your drive should finish just right of centre. Watch out for bunkers on both edges of the fairway.

It's difficult  to judge the uphill second -your view is obscured by two centrally placed bunkers some 40yd (36m) in front of the green. If you can't clear them, play short and aim to save par with a chip and putt. The green falls away sharply into deep bunkers on both sides.