2025 Platinum
Table of Contents
- The Legacy of Loch Lomond Golf Club
- The Scenic Beauty Surrounding Loch Lomond Golf Club
- Loch Lomond Estate Facilities
- The Loch Lomond Golf Course Experience
- Notable Holes & Course Highlights
- Loch Lomond's Iconic Locker Room
- What to Wear at Loch Lomond
- Closing Remarks
The Legacy of Loch Lomond Golf Club
The inception of Loch Lomond Golf Club was the vision of renowned golf course designer Tom Weiskopf. In the late 1980s, Weiskopf envisioned a golf course that would blend seamlessly with the natural beauty of Loch Lomond’s landscapes. Collaborating with his trusted partner, Jay Morrish, they transformed the Rossdhu Mansion grounds into a golfing masterpiece, officially opening the course in 1993.
Weiskopf himself described the course as his "lasting memorial to golf," and it has since gained a reputation as one of the finest inland courses in the UK. The club quickly became the home of the Scottish Open for fifteen years, welcoming the world’s best players.
Beyond its grandeur, Loch Lomond Golf Club is one of the most exclusive in Scotland, offering access only to its private membership. Unlike other high-end clubs such as Skibo Castle or Archerfield, which allow one-off guest rounds, Loch Lomond has no obvious route in unless you receive a rare invitation.
The Scenic Beauty Surrounding Loch Lomond Golf Club
The journey to Loch Lomond is as enchanting as the destination itself. I was picked up by a kind gentleman called Michael, of course outfitted in his black Sunderland of Scotland waterproof jacket adorned with the iconic rich deep red stag head of the Loch Lomond logo, which matched beautifully with the brand-new black Range Rover, part of the club’s fleet. We drove from Glenmuir’s Lanark factory through the winding roads touching the Scottish Highlands, leading to the club’s gates.
The course itself is framed by the stunning Ben Lomond to the east and the vast expanse of Loch Lomond to the west, creating an almost surreal backdrop for play. Interestingly, Ben Lomond serves as an informal weather indicator for local caddies: if clouds are gathering over its peak, it’s a sign that rain is imminent. Loch Lomond’s emblem, the iconic Highland Stag, symbolizes the club’s dedication to preserving the region’s natural beauty and biodiversity.
Loch Lomond Estate Facilities
Upon arrival, the club exudes an aura of Scottish elegance but with a warm sense of informality. Each guest is made to feel like a member, with access to the vast grounds, including two Sites of Special Scientific Interest, protecting rare plant species and wildlife.
After a wonderful club sandwich at the "Spikes" bar, I explored Rossdhu Mansion, which dates back to 1773, built by Sir James Colquhoun. The Mansion has wood panelled ornate rooms with plenty of space for larger groups but also more private intimate gatherings as well as a number of cabinets housing member’s prized wine collections The Colquhoun Lodge accommodation was equally impressive, more contemporary in design, with luxurious rooms, a shared lounge area, a snooker table, and a personal Macallan whisky decanter awaiting guests. Every detail is curated for comfort and an immersive experience.
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The Loch Lomond Golf Course Experience
The 18-hole championship course stretches 7,100 yards and offers an exhilarating challenge. Each hole is designed with strategic bunkering and immaculately maintained greens. Recent major renovations (2017-2020) included:
• Complete sand capping of fairways for improved drainage
• Installation of a new irrigation system
• Reconstruction of all bunkers using a capillary concrete liner
This means that even after Scotland’s infamous downpours, Loch Lomond remains firm and playable year-round. A welcomed part of the hospitality was ordering warm teas and breakfast rolls, and something stronger if your game wasn’t up to much, on the par-3 8th in view of the majestic Rossdhu Mansion, and having them waiting for you without fail on the 9th tee. In our game you were only allowed to enjoy the warm tea and snacks if you hit the green on the 8th, a tough school indeed.
Notable Holes & Course Highlights
While every hole offers something unique, these are some of the standouts:
• 3rd Hole (Par 5): The first moment where the loch truly comes into view, making for a spectacular approach shot.
• 5th Hole (Par 3): A visually stunning hole with the loch serving as a breath taking backdrop.
• 6th Hole (Par 5): Runs parallel to the loch, requiring precision off the tee, don’t go right.
• 14th Hole (Par 4): A risk-reward challenge with a split fairway offering two distinct routes to the green.
• 17th Hole (Par 3): One of the most memorable holes, running along the loch.
• 18th Hole (Par 4): A dramatic closing hole wrapping around the water, finishing beneath the imposing Rossdhu Castle ruins.
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Notably, Loch Lomond now offers forward tees, making the course more accessible to golfers with slower swing speeds, such as seniors, women, and juniors. This ensures everyone can enjoy the same golfing experience. On the first tee a helicopter was taking off simultaneously to my tee off – I have never had to adjust for the wind generated from a helicopter turbine blade, but it felt like this may be a normal occurrence here as my trusty caddy did not bat an eyelid.
Loch Lomond's Iconic Locker Room
As infamous as the clubhouse at Augusta National, Loch Lomond’s locker room is more than just a place to change. Reminiscent of a Highland shooting lodge, it’s a space where members and guests gather to reminisce over post-round whisky and storytelling.
Willie Henry, the legendary locker room attendant having been at the club since 1996, knows every member and guest by name and drink preference. Settle into one of the deep cigar coloured leather armchairs, and Willie will ensure you’re looked after, with shoes cleaned while you enjoy a John Panton whisky (a club favourite). Some of my fondest memories with friends at Loch Lomond are in that locker room, shoeless enjoying golf food favourites and drinks, with fellow members and guests pulling up chairs to join in which is fairly unique for most golf courses.
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What to Wear at Loch Lomond
Scottish weather is unpredictable, so layering is essential. The pro shop is fully stocked, but if you're preparing in advance, we recommend:
• Golf Waterproofs: Sunderland s.WHISPERDRY STEALTH jacket which is very easy to pack, or Sunderland s.MATTERHORN an option favoured by the team at Loch Lomond. For women the Sunderland hooded s.WHISPERDRY AURORA, or the s.KILLY jacket would be the choice
• Golf Clothing Layers: Start with a Glenmuir g.KELSO roll neck top with a Glenmuir zip neck g.JASPER merino wool sweater or a zip neck g.COLL lambswool sweater if it's cooler should set you up well for warming up on the wonderful grass driving range at Loch Lomond. For women it would be the Glenmuir g.FERN roll neck, with the Glenmuir g.AMIRA zip neck merino sweater
• Golf Padded Gilets: Finish with a Glenmuir g.NEWTON padded gilet or a Sunderland s.ANDORRA thermal padded gilet, allowing you freedom of movement to swing through the shoulders and arms. For women go for the Glenmuir g.AYLA padded gilet or the Sunderland s.ALASKA thermal gilet
• Golf Trousers: Opt for the Glenmuir g.ROSS performance golf trousers in the spring and summer, or the Glenmuir g.ASHURST winter trousers for the cooler months, which are ideal to walk into the Spike’s bar after and not raise any eyebrows. For women it’s the g.KALEY trousers or the g.JADE winter trousers
• Golf Rain Gloves: MacWet Gloves maintain grip in all wet weather. If you see a cloud over Ben Lomond, wear one of the gloves, and as soon as the rain arrives in full, pop the second one on - you will feel like you are cheating. Sunderland thermal mittens wouldn’t go amiss if you a braving the cold
• Comfortable Socks: Try the g.DRYBURGH socks in the summer, and the g.DUNBAR or g.OSIRIS in the winter. Comfort is key as you’ll be walking the full 7,100 yards; buggies are not generally encouraged. Worth carrying a spare pair also while chilling out in the locker room eating and drinking, its nice to be in fresh socks while your shoes are getting the full Willie treatment. For ladies’ the g.EUGENIE socks for the summer or the g.ARIANA for the winter
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Closing Remarks
Loch Lomond Golf Club, with its rich history, stunning scenery, and unmatched hospitality, is a destination like no other. From its strategic course design to the welcoming club culture, it offers a golfing experience few will ever have the privilege to enjoy.
For those fortunate enough to visit, pairing Loch Lomond with nearby courses can create an unforgettable Scottish golf tour.
• The Carrick (Loch Lomond) – Another lochside course a stone’s throw away, more accessible
• Ayrshire Coast Courses – Western Gailes, Turnberry, Dundonald, Prestwick, Troon
• Gleneagles – A perfect inland counterpart
From the moment Michael collected me to the moment he dropped me off, I was made to feel like a member of Loch Lomond, not just a guest – and that’s exactly the way it should be.
