Inside Scotland's most exclusive golf club - which costs over £100k to join (2024)

THE fairways have been walked by Hollywood icons.

The greens have been putted on by sporting superstars (of the world champion variety).

10

10

10

10

But if you want to tee it up on this famous golf course, you better hope to have a friend from high society - and a spare £100,000.

Loch Lomond Golf Club is one of the finest golfing venues in Scotland - but you'll be lucky to ever experience it for yourself.

That's because of its super-strict rules on who can play, which have led to its reputation as the hardest course to get a game on anywhere in the country.

Even the website is somewhat veiled, with little information on it other than pictures of the course and the lavish clubhouse, occasionally accompanied by quotes.

Read more Golf stories

Inside Scotland's most exclusive golf club - which costs over £100k to join (5)
HIGHLAND HIDEAWAY Popular Scots golf club with proposed luxury holiday park goes on sale
Inside Scotland's most exclusive golf club - which costs over £100k to join (6)
GOLF COAST 500 The best golf courses on Scotland's NC500 - including the 'mini Gleneagles'

Scrolling to the bottom there is some text, in which the club says: "Loch Lomond Golf Club is one of the finest private members' clubs in the world and the privilege of membership (and with it the opportunity to play our extraordinary course) is extended only to those proposed by our esteemed group of existing members or expressly invited by the club.

"It is perfectly situated for those who travel the world for business and pleasure. Less than 90 minutes from London, two hours from Paris and approximately six hours from both New York and Dubai."

The course used to host the Scottish Open before it moved to being a links-based tournament.

To this day Loch Lomond comes second perhaps only to Gleneagle's as Scotland's best inland course (in the eyes of some, it's the best bar none).

Most read in Golf

IN THE ROUGH Team GB Olympian throws shade at ex Gaz Beadle as she reveals love life woes

SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE 'Pioneer' Ryder Cup star's wife turned him down due to 23-year age gap

HIGHLAND HIDEAWAY Popular Scots golf club with proposed luxury holiday park goes on sale

NAC A CRACKER Paige Spiranac almost slips out of top as she posts busty selfie to stun fans

Hidden on the bonnie banks of the eponymous loch, there may not be a more pleasant spot to play golf anywhere in the world - and you'd be forgiven for forgetting it's under an hour from Glasgow.

Its peaceful here and the towering Trossachs and the looming colossus of Ben Lomond ensure the player has picturesque views at every turn, whether it be the calmness of the water or the striking hillsides covered in heather.

Inside Robert MacIntyre's wild Scottish Open celebrations

Each hole (other than the second and fourth) are sheltered from one other, adding to the feeling of blissful isolation. Over 60 species of tree live on the course and only the greenest of them block out the noise - and any sight - of the A82 that runs alongside a couple of the holes.

Loch Lomond is famed for its pristine condition. It always looks perfectly manicured, down to the smallest blade of grass, no matter the time of year.

And there's a reason for that beyond having skilled and dedicated greenkeepers.

That's because it's affluent members - despite the hefty fees they pay - are actually limited to the number of rounds they can play per year.

It doesn't seem to bother them though, and perhaps it works out.

A leaked email from 2006 had just FIVE PERCENT of the membership listed as having Scottish addresses.

Some of them would be flying in from the Bahamas, the USA or further afield.

One man who did just that was Sir Sean Connery, who was famously a member at Loch Lomond whilst living in the Caribbean.

The identity of the membership is shrouded in mystery. Only once has a substantial list of members been released - and the club has kept it hush-hush ever since.

A private email sent to members in 2006 was leaked and among the club's exclusive community were names such as three-time Formula 1 world champion Sir Jackie Stewart and Glasgow curry king Satty Singh.

Robert Wiseman, the founder of the dairy company of the same name and Sir Peter Burt, the former governor of the Bank of Scotland and chairman of ITV were also members before they passed away.

The son of Rangers chairman Sir David Murray, also called David, was on the same list.

And of course there is an illustrious group of elite golfers who have forked out for membership, including Sir Nick Faldo, Hale Irwin and Arnold Palmer.

Top Scots such as Colin Montgomerie, Sandy Lyle and Bernard Gallacher were also listed as members, and the course is a favourite of current PGA Tour and Scottish Open champ Robert MacIntyre.

10

10

10

Many more familiar faces from the worlds of film and sport have graced Loch Lomond's lush fairways over the years such as Ally McCoist, Walter Smith and none other than Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood.

More recently, Spider-Man himself (Tom Holland) swooped in for a game - and called it the "best course he'd ever played".

And even those high profile names would only have been able to play thanks only an invite from a kind member.

That's because Loch Lomond is one of the few courses in Scotland where visitors can't just turn up and pay to play.

Renowned venues such as St Andrews and Trump Turnberry and other Open favourites like Carnoustie, Muirfield and Royal Troon are all available to play for any punter (who can afford it, that is).

But Loch Lomond is different. You must either be a member or be invited on as a members' guest (as we've discussed, finding one of them in the UK is no mean feat).

Contrary to popular opinion though there is a way to play the course without a member's help.

For just over £1,000 per head, you can apply to play in Variety Golf's charity event at the course.

The path to become a member is far from easy.

You must be nominated and vetted by a current member before being accepted.

Assuming that checks out, the chances are money is no object.

Which is just as well, considering the joining fee has risen from a reported £75,000 in 2006 to the most recent estimate of £160,000.

Annual fees have also increased from around £5,000 per year to around £7,000 per year.

What do the members get for all that cash?

For starters, a lot of responsibility.

The club says: "Membership carries with it responsibility and opportunity in equal measure. Responsibility to uphold the club's unique spirit and global reputation, and the opportunity to meet and foster long-standing relationships with accomplished individuals from all corners of the globe.

"World class golf is our raison d'etre, but our membership is not defined by it.

"Our members enjoy world class facilities, but covet the camaraderie and bonds created by this very special place."

Despite its lofty status, Loch Lomond is still relatively young in golfing terms.

It was opened (in its current guise) in 1993 after Arizona businessman Lyle Anderson bought the land with a vision to turn it into an exclusive hideaway resort, a "private and discerning international golf club."

The club has a spa within a walled garden and the impressive 18th century Georgian mansion, the elegant Rossdhu House, is a dominating presence in which members can wine and dine in luxury after a round.

The course itself is championship-calibre, designed by former Open champion-turned top course architect Tom Weiskopf, in conjunction with Jay Morrish.

Weiskopf described Loch Lomond as his "last memorial to golf", stirring words that are fitting for such a stirring setting.

It stretches to 7,100 yards from the back tees (6,300 from the middle) and aside from the loch itself, water features on many of the holes in the form of burns and ponds. The rough isn't overly penal (think of your typical American rough) but the bunkers are large and with this being a wet area of Scotland, the lush fairways don't offer too much in the way of run on your ball.

Read more on the Scottish Sun

Inside Scotland's most exclusive golf club - which costs over £100k to join (14)
PARKING PAINS 'Mind blowing behaviour', say NC500 locals as tourists 'block' cars passing
Inside Scotland's most exclusive golf club - which costs over £100k to join (15)
HUNG UP Hundreds of Scots jobs 'at risk' as retail giant proposes call centre closure

Unlike links courses, there aren't any hidden bounces or blind shots at Loch Lomond. The challenge - whether it be staying out of the trees, navigating bunkers or avoiding the water - is laid out in front of you.

It's just that the real challenge is in actually getting a game.

10

10

10

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

Inside Scotland's most exclusive golf club - which costs over £100k to join (2024)
Top Articles
Cómo Desactivar Fotos de iCloud sin Borrar Todo – AirDroid
¿Qué es el malware? Definición, tipos y Protection
Artem The Gambler
Matgyn
Belle Meade Barbershop | Uncle Classic Barbershop | Nashville Barbers
Vaya Timeclock
15 Types of Pancake Recipes from Across the Globe | EUROSPAR NI
Vanadium Conan Exiles
What is international trade and explain its types?
Carter Joseph Hopf
Mawal Gameroom Download
Regular Clear vs Low Iron Glass for Shower Doors
83600 Block Of 11Th Street East Palmdale Ca
Athens Bucket List: 20 Best Things to Do in Athens, Greece
Hood County Buy Sell And Trade
Top tips for getting around Buenos Aires
Games Like Mythic Manor
Enterprise Car Sales Jacksonville Used Cars
Jenn Pellegrino Photos
Sonic Fan Games Hq
Puretalkusa.com/Amac
Water Trends Inferno Pool Cleaner
Bella Bodhi [Model] - Bio, Height, Body Stats, Family, Career and Net Worth 
Gina Wilson All Things Algebra Unit 2 Homework 8
Nesb Routing Number
Asteroid City Showtimes Near Violet Crown Charlottesville
Elbert County Swap Shop
Plost Dental
Star Wars Armada Wikia
Aes Salt Lake City Showdown
Skepticalpickle Leak
Funky Town Gore Cartel Video
Page 2383 – Christianity Today
Rlcraft Toolbelt
Teenbeautyfitness
Terrier Hockey Blog
Duff Tuff
Bismarck Mandan Mugshots
10 games with New Game Plus modes so good you simply have to play them twice
Babbychula
Dee Dee Blanchard Crime Scene Photos
Omaha Steaks Lava Cake Microwave Instructions
Discover Wisconsin Season 16
התחבר/י או הירשם/הירשמי כדי לראות.
Europa Universalis 4: Army Composition Guide
552 Bus Schedule To Atlantic City
Espn Top 300 Non Ppr
Sams La Habra Gas Price
Prologistix Ein Number
David Turner Evangelist Net Worth
Rise Meadville Reviews
Inloggen bij AH Sam - E-Overheid
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Maia Crooks Jr

Last Updated:

Views: 6191

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Maia Crooks Jr

Birthday: 1997-09-21

Address: 93119 Joseph Street, Peggyfurt, NC 11582

Phone: +2983088926881

Job: Principal Design Liaison

Hobby: Web surfing, Skiing, role-playing games, Sketching, Polo, Sewing, Genealogy

Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.