Scotland, Loch Lomond - Golf across the Pearly Gates

To play golf at Loch Lomond Golf Club in Scotland, you must be a member, or know one. The price is more expensive than gold itself, but the course makes it worth every penny. When it comes to golf, Scotland never disappoints you.

The classic saying "Make My Day" in the Dirty Harry movie “Sudden Impact” was probably just what Clint Eastwood hissed the first time he came to Loch Lomond Golf Club, a half hour's drive north of Glasgow. "Clint" is a member and is said to have been completely charmed by the beauty of the facility and the golf course in the middle of Scotland's first national park. The 250-hectare area sticks out as a peninsula in Loch Lomond, Britain's largest lake.

When the gate opens and I drive up to the clubhouse entrance, I have the same gut feeling: Make my day! The building is called Rossdhu House, a mansion that was built in 1773. Four hundred years earlier the Colquhoun Clan ruled these historic grounds. The headquarters was Rossdhu Castle and the ruins of the medieval castle guard the18th green.

Two kilt-clad gentlemen meet you outside the clubhouse. One takes your car keys, the other the golf bags. I am shown towards the changing room and go in. In this great room there are a lot of stylish chairs, tables and a bar, which at first caused me to wonder if I was in the right place. I was.

I quickly change my shoes and head off to the first tee. There the clubs, caddies and our playing partner Donald MacDonald, the club secretary, are waiting. But first a few hits on the range that is located a long putt’s distance from the first tee. Standing there are Titleist clubs of the finest variety, positioned in ten pyramids with about 50 balls in each.

The legendary club is a playground for business heads, wealthy entrepreneurs and celebrities, a total of 850 members from 32 nations. Not just anybody can become a member. In addition to a thick wallet, you need an invitation.

“It's not a club that you apply for membership to, you are invited. Some Irish friends recommended me and I became a member in 2006,” says Pelle Widmark from Båstad, one of six exclusive Swedish members.

“The course is one of Europe's finest in all categories and as a park course, the very best. There is not one single bad hole. The combination of accommodation, food and golf is unbeatable and Loch Lomond is the world's most amazing facility.

Pelle Widmark comes here about four times a year and plays about ten rounds.

Members not only have access to golf at one of the world's best courses. There is also a super luxurious spa, boat trips, fishing, shooting and much more.

But you can’t get quality for nothing. Membership alone costs around EUR 95,727. Add to that the annual fee. How high it is Pelle would not comment on other than to say that it is expensive, very expensive!

The British Open champion from 1973, Tom Weiskopf, along with Jay Morrish, designed the course.

Each hole extends separately into the almost stunningly beautiful scenery, the sea on one side, mountains and high hills in the other direction. Streams cut across the course which is lined with lush greenery. The diversity of trees is great.

The finish is almost illusively good. The fairways and greens are like those at Bro Hof in Sweden, though just a bit better. The edges of the holes are hand-cut with scissors. The sixth hole is one of Scotland's longest par 5 holes, from the back-tee a 572 metre walk along the lake. It’s so beautiful that it’s easy to lose focus on the four great shots needed to reach the green.

To come here for a round costs of course an arm and a leg. You certainly would, but forget it...the course is closed for green fee players. If you don’t happen to know a member the only way to visit the Loch Lomond Golf Club is the big Scottish Open competition as a spectator the week before the British Open. Johan Edfors won here in 2006.