The earliest recognized society of golfers, The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, currently makes their home at Muirfield in Gullane, but this was not always the case. There are no existing records that state definitively when the Societies were initially formed, and so they are listed chronologically by the dates of the first existing minutes of their meetings.

The earliest record we have of the "Company' dates from March 1744, signed by President Forbes of Culloden, and predates the earliest record of The Society of St. Andrews Golfers by 10 years. As it is now at St. Andrews, during the formative years of modern golf, the linksland was owned by the town and was communal property. Therefore, while there were many golf 'societies' formed as much to keep some out, as to let some in, play on the links itself was democratic and often members of the Societies played with non-members. In fact, the idea of the out-of-town membership was created in the 1700's as many members of the exclusive golf societies were not residents of the towns where the links were laid out, and technically had no rights to play.

Such was the case with the 'Company', their earliest home was over the five holes at the 'links at Leith.' While not true linksland it was convenient to Edinburgh and therefore qualified. Records indicate that there was much golf played here from 1672 onwards, by golfers from all walks of life as it was common land owned by the Edinburgh Council. It was a regular practice for certain golfers to retire to particular taverns after their rounds and thus the beginnings of closed golf societies began to take place.

It is thought that no records of early golf societies exist because of the turmoil between the Jacobites and non-Jacobites in the early 1700's. Most of the secret societies were made up of Masons, who were Jacobites, including the golfing societies. As it was politically, not to mention personal, suicide to be found a member of one of these societies prior to 1745, all records were methodically and thoroughly destroyed by the Masons.

In 1744 a Silver Club was offered as a prize to the Gentleman of Leith by the City of Edinburgh and a detailed account of this competition exists to this day. It is generally regarded to be the minutes of the first meeting of the 'Honourable Company of Gentleman Golfers' due to the following passage ...

"At Edinburgh, the seventh day of March 1744 years, the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council, with the Deacons Ordinary and Extraordinary of the City of Edinburgh, being in Council assembled - and it being represented to them That several Gentleman of Honour, skilful in the ancient and healthful exercise of the Golf, had from time to time, applied to several members of the Council for a Silver Club to be annually played for on the Links of Leith at such time and upon such conditions as the Magistrates and Council should think proper; And it being reported that the Gentleman Golfers had drawn up a scroll, at the desire of the Magistrates, of such Articles and Conditions as to them seem most expedient, as proper Regulations to be observed by the Gentlemen who should yearly offer to play for the said Silver Club, which were produced and read in Council..."

While this may be the earliest record of an open competition, it probably was not at that time actually minutes from a formed society. Historians now suggest that the capital letters used in Honourable and Gentleman were common practice in documents rather than to designate a particular organization of golfers. Even so it was this group's first code of rules -- The Thirteen Articles -- that the Society of St. Andrews Golfers, who went on to become the Royal and Ancient Club at St. Andrews adapted as the rules of golf in 1754.

And while the original trophy was offered as an open competition, the rules were narrowed by 1764 to make sure only one of the Company of Gentleman Golfers, who by now could again exist as a closed society, won the prize. By 1768 the Honourable Company had erected a clubhouse at Leith in which to store their golf equipment, change into their golfing costumes and host their dinners.

By 1836 the links at Leith had become too crowded and like many modern day clubs, the Company relocated to Musselburgh. Here, inside the racetrack was a nine hole course used by no less than 4 golf clubs. In 1865, the Honourable Company had built their own clubhouse at the West End of the links and began charging annual dues and paying a club manager. It was also important during this time that the members always wear their famous red uniform, the failure of which would result in a fine. One such gentleman in the 1830's was fined two tappit hens for playing out of uniform.

As with Leith, overcrowding on the links at Musselburgh caused the Honourable Company to look elsewhere for land for a home club. They found a suitable site in Gullane and had Old Tom Morris design the initial layout, which opened in 1891. While there were many early criticisms of this course, it is thought that that was more jealousy than fact, as when the Honourable Company left Musselburgh so did the Open Championship. The first Open Championship was held at Muirfield in 1892, just a year after opening and the wonderful reputation of the course began to grow. Revisions made by Harry Colt and Tim Simpson in the 1920's contributed greatly to Muirfield's stature today where it is regarded as the fairest, and in many circles, the finest, true test of championship golf.

The course lays out in an unusual fashion for most links in Scotland. Rather than going out and back, it is laid out in two separate loops. This ensures that the golfers will not have to face playing several holes against the same wind direction. Another unique feature of Muirfield is that it favors the tradition of foursome matches. Fourballs are only permitted in the mornings.

Muirfield's reputation for fairness derives mainly from the fact that the golfer is always straightforwardly presented with what they are to accomplish. There is only one blind shot on the par four 11th, and there are no water hazards or fearsome carries lurking about. However, this does not mean Muirfield is easy to score against, its undulating nature, deep and penalizing rough, and cavernous bunkers are in plain sight, but present many challenges.

But one has only to look at the list of Open Champions throughout Muirfield's history as a host venue to recognize that the cream seems to always rise to the top over this storied links, a testament to its character.