Anyone played Loch Lomond?

[eyewipe]

Have managed to secure a fourball for next season and was wondering if anyone could post up some thoughts on the course / set up. Super excited but don't want to look bewildered at such an exclusive venue or keep asking my host daft questions.

 

Have walked the course as a spectator some years ago when it held the Scottish Open and it looked awesome.

 

Any info appreciated.

[hentrader]

Don't be intimidated...enjoy yourself, try the black pudding if your having something to eat, listen to your caddie's advice and tip them accordingly at the end of the round. BTW...caddies will have bets amongst themselves on which player will shoot the low score in your group.

[seena_beena]

I've played it......the location of the course on the banks of the loch is amazing

[teejaywhy]

I've not played it, but always was slightly amused seeing the Scottish Open being played on the least Scottish-looking course.

[david92]

I've played it...beautiful setting for an American style course..in Scotland!!...very little run due to the soggy ground on alot of holes due to the level of the land in relation to the Loch...This was several years ago so not up to date review but pre ownership crisis you had to flash the cash and tip everywhere...course in great condition.
However unless you want to tick it off the must play list there are hundreds of real scottish golf links and parkland courses I would prefer to play ahead of it

[eyewipe]

Thanks for the input so far guys. As far as actually playing the course I'm not too intimidated by that and agree that it is not a traditional Scottish layout but I have played most of our fine Open links and many of our top inland courses so I'm looking forward to playing a different style of layout in a stunning setting. I'll be trying to play during our brief 'summer' but hopefully prior to the midge outbreak.

David92 - the tipping everyone was one of the things I was curious about, I guess it's like at a 5 star hotel with valets etc. Was the food in the spikes bar extortionate? My playing partners wont appreciate if it is, two are members on an Open qualifier where you can get your lunch for about £5!!

[eyewipe]

[quote name='teejaywhy' timestamp='1354662452' post='6018809']
I've not played it, but always was slightly amused seeing the Scottish Open being played on the least Scottish-looking course.
[/quote]
This has obviously been rectified in recent years but it's funny as even the links at Castle Stewart gets carved up by the pro's shooting low when the wind is down. There are few links courses which pose these guys a sufficient challenge without adverse weather when they have to keep the fairways wide enough to let paying punters have a game the rest of the year.

[eyewipe]

Ok guys, what are the thoughts on caddies - we don't normally use them at championship courses and just rely on gps and strokesavers - does everyone use a caddy there?

Also, is there a formal dress requirement for eating?

[thecraw]

[quote name='david92' timestamp='1354662977' post='6018843']
I've played it...beautiful setting for an American style course..in Scotland!!...very little run due to the soggy ground on alot of holes due to the level of the land in relation to the Loch...This was several years ago so not up to date review but pre ownership crisis you had to flash the cash and tip everywhere...course in great condition.
However unless you want to tick it off the must play list[u][b] there are hundreds of real scottish golf links and parkland courses I would prefer to play ahead of it[/b][/u]
[/quote]


Please name me 10 inland tracks that are better or even come close to Loch Lomond?????


Blairgowrie Rosemount and Spey Valley are both decent but still behind Loch Lomond. Gleneagles Kings & Queens are not as good a test as Loch Lomond and the PGA is a poor track at Gleneagles. Comparing links and parkland tracks is like comparing a Skoda Fadia with a Porche 911!!

[eyewipe]

Ok, to update having played on Monday - simply awesome!

Has shot in to become easily the best (condition, design, everything) parkland I've played and a long way ahead of Rosemount, Kings etc. as stated above. It's probably a very tight second to Carnoustie overall in my own rankings but I've played there more.

I didn't even play well, lots of three putts on what were immaculate greens. Obviously the reduced traffic is a major boost for the greenkeepers but with recent good weather the course was in fantastic condition and I couldn't pick fault. Would've liked to have seen them lay off watering the fairways to firm them up a touch but with the penal lush rough it was probably a good thing.

If the chance arises (which I really hope it does) i'll be back in a heartbeat!

[littleprov1x]

Glad you liked it! Played many times and it is an outstanding experience. They have done a tremendous amount of work with multiple rounds of sand top dressing per year (dating back to the early '00's) in order to build up the base and curb the sogginess on the bog holes. The green complexes at Loch Lomond fly under the radar- #2, #5, #12, and #18 are all awesome.

I hope you enjoyed a pint or two in the spike bar after out of those outstanding silver mugs. Rossdhu House, IMO, is one of the top 5 clubhouses in golf.

PS- also, I'm not sure how your experience was, but every time I have been I was not exposed to the extraordinary tipping mentioned by one of the other posters. In fact, I was explicitly told not to tip except for the caddies.

[eyewipe]

I found the clubhouse and staff to be very friendly and relaxed and not looking for tips at all. I was almost looking for opportunities such as when the valet brought my car to the entrance to the house but none arose! I got the feeling that it was not the norm to be tipping every which way and my host picked up the tab in the spikes bar (which was indeed great) so couldn't leave a tip there either.

I would say that Rossdhu is the top clubhouse I have been in and was far more intimate and chilled than the hotel franchise efforts at somewhere like Turnberry for example. It feels like the 'normal' clubhouses I attend but with all the quality touches and trimmings housed inside a beautiful old building.

[imakaveli]

[quote name='thecraw' timestamp='1357887090' post='6208491']
[quote name='david92' timestamp='1354662977' post='6018843']
I've played it...beautiful setting for an American style course..in Scotland!!...very little run due to the soggy ground on alot of holes due to the level of the land in relation to the Loch...This was several years ago so not up to date review but pre ownership crisis you had to flash the cash and tip everywhere...course in great condition.
However unless you want to tick it off the must play list[u][b] there are hundreds of real scottish golf links and parkland courses I would prefer to play ahead of it[/b][/u]
[/quote]


Please name me 10 inland tracks that are better or even come close to Loch Lomond?????


Blairgowrie Rosemount and Spey Valley are both decent but still behind Loch Lomond. Gleneagles Kings & Queens are not as good a test as Loch Lomond and the PGA is a poor track at Gleneagles. Comparing links and parkland tracks is like comparing a Skoda Fadia with a Porche 911!!
[/quote]

What do you mean as "a poor track"?

[eyewipe]

I think he means that it is the least enjoyable of the three courses at Gleneagles and is pretty disappointing and I would totally concur.

The Kings would be a much better test for the Ryder Cup if only they could tweak it to suit modern length requirements.

[Golfchampz]

the pga is great in good condition, just its not recently, the kings is the best and im a member!!! far better test of golf!! and longer in terms as many holes force you to not take driver due to accuracy! kings is best! pga cent i think is easier if you a long hitter that is. queens the scenery is beautiful and nice course to play.

[thecraw]

Agree I should quantify that "poor track" remark. It is unfair as it's not poor, it's just my least favourite of the Gleneagles courses. There are some excellent holes on the PGA course, especially the par 3's which I thought were all tremendous. For me though, it's a different type of course than the Kings and Queens and the turf is different. The PGA in my opinion has a poor back 9

 

Much prefer the Kings & Kings and Rosemount.