Golf is weird. Most tournaments are just four days of guys in polos chasing a paycheck, but Muirfield Village feels like you’ve walked into someone’s very expensive, very meticulously manicured living room. That’s because you basically have.
The PGA golf memorial tournament isn’t just another stop on the schedule. It is a Signature Event, sure, but more importantly, it’s the "Golden Bear’s" baby. Jack Nicklaus founded this thing back in 1976. He designed the course. He still lives on the property. And honestly, he still tinkers with the bunkers if he thinks a pro got off too easy the year before.
If you are heading to Dublin, Ohio, from June 1 to June 7, 2026, for the 50th anniversary, you aren’t just watching golf. You are partaking in a very specific set of traditions that involve high-stakes pressure and, for some reason, really good milkshakes.
The Brutality of Muirfield Village
Jack Nicklaus is a legend, but as a course designer, he can be a bit of a sadist. Muirfield Village is a brute. It measures 7,569 yards as a par 72, which sounds manageable for modern pros until you see the greens. They are small. They are fast. They slope in ways that make a 3-foot putt feel like a math exam.
Take the 12th hole. It’s a par 3, only 180 yards. On paper? Easy. In reality, it’s a terrifying homage to the 12th at Augusta National. There is a shallow, angled green and a lot of water. If the wind kicks up, world-class players start looking like weekend hackers.
✨ Don't miss: What Time Did the Cubs Game End Today? The Truth About the Off-Season
Then there’s the finish. Holes 16, 17, and 18 are arguably the hardest three-hole stretch on the PGA Tour. The 16th is a long par 3 over water, the 17th is a 503-yard par 4 that plays uphill, and the 18th is a dogleg right that has ruined more scorecards than I can count. Scottie Scheffler won here in 2024 and 2025, proving he's basically the only human who hasn't been broken by this grass.
Why the 50th Anniversary Matters
2026 is the big five-zero. That’s a long time to keep a tournament at the top of the heap. To celebrate, the Captains Club picked David Graham as the 2026 Honoree. He won the Memorial back in 1980 and has two majors to his name. They’re also posthumously honoring Allan Robertson, a 19th-century pioneer from St. Andrews.
It’s this weird mix of old-school respect and new-school money. The purse is a staggering $20 million, with the winner taking home $4 million.
The Traditions Nobody Talks About
Everyone knows about the handshake. If you win, Jack Nicklaus meets you behind the 18th green to shake your hand. It is the closest thing golf has to being knighted. But the stuff the fans love is a bit more... dairy-based.
🔗 Read more: Jake Ehlinger Sign: The Real Story Behind the College GameDay Controversy
The Milkshakes. Seriously. In the Muirfield Village clubhouse, they serve these legendary milkshakes. Players talk about them all week. The "Buckeye Oreo" is usually the go-to because, well, it’s Ohio. I’ve heard stories of pros who missed the cut but stayed an extra hour just to get one last shake before heading to the airport.
The Leaderboards.
While every other tournament has gone full digital with giant LED screens, the Memorial keeps it old school. They have a staff of nearly 400 people who manually update the 34 white leaderboards across the course. There’s something visceral about seeing a guy slide a "–1" into a slot while the crowd roars. It feels human.
How to Actually Get In
If you’re trying to go in 2026, don’t wait until May. Tickets for the 50th anniversary went on sale back in October 2025.
- Practice Rounds: Monday through Wednesday. These are the best days to actually see the players. They’re relaxed. They’re joking. Tickets usually start around $20.
- The Golden Bear Club: If you want AC and a sports bar vibe between holes 10 and 14, this is your spot. Just know these sell out months in advance.
- Military Access: One of the coolest things about this tournament is that they offer complimentary grounds access to active duty and retired military, plus first responders. Jack and Barbara Nicklaus are big on the "Salute to Service" thing.
Survival Tips for Dublin
Ohio weather in June is a coin flip. It’s either 95 degrees with 90% humidity or a sudden thunderstorm that clears the course.
💡 You might also like: What Really Happened With Nick Chubb: The Injury, The Recovery, and The Houston Twist
Wear comfortable shoes. Muirfield Village is hilly. If you try to walk the whole 18 in flip-flops, your feet will be screaming by the 5th hole. Most people pick a spot like "Patron Village" (the hub between the 10th and 14th) and just park it there. You get food, shade, and a view of multiple holes without the 5-mile hike.
The Impact Beyond the Greens
It’s easy to get cynical about pro sports, but the Memorial puts its money where its mouth is. Since 1976, they’ve raised over $56 million for charity. Most of that goes to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation.
They even have a "Folds of Honor Friday" where everyone wears red, white, and blue to support scholarship programs for families of fallen or disabled service members. It’s a reminder that while the golf is serious, it’s still just a game.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're planning to attend or just want to follow the 2026 action:
- Check the Digital App: Use the PGA Tour app for real-time stats, but remember that Muirfield Village uses the "Memorial Account Manager" for tickets. Your Ticketmaster app won't work at the gate.
- Book Lodging Now: Dublin is a suburb of Columbus. Hotels fill up fast, and prices triple during tournament week. Look at the Bridge Street District if you want to be near the post-round nightlife.
- Watch the 16th: If you only watch one hole, make it the 16th. It’s where the tournament is usually won or lost on Sunday.
- Try the Milkshake: Don't ask questions. Just get the Buckeye Oreo.
The Memorial is special because it feels permanent. In a world where golf is splintering into different leagues and formats, "Jack’s Place" remains the gold standard for what a professional tournament should look like.