The five most exclusive golf clubs in the UK

Oozing sophistication and luxury, some of the most prestigious golf clubs in the UK remain an unrivalled destination for fanatics of the sport and lovers of the finer things in life.

Pretty much every town in the UK will have a golf course to call their own, but some are more eye-catching than others and deliver an exquisite dining and leisure experience.

So here’s our breakdown of the five most exclusive golf clubs in the UK today.

Royal St George’s (Kent)

While not as exclusive as some of the venues on this list, it will still cost visitors a cool £250 to play a single round at the famous course in Sandwich, Kent.

And that’s without the perks of being a member, which includes access to the sublime banqueting suite and its world-famous lunches. >>

Royal St George’s has hosted the Open Championship on more occasions than any other course outside of Scotland, and it will take on the honours once again in 2021. The best golf odds have Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Masters champion Dustin Johnson listed as the favourites, and so you could tread the hallowed ground walked by some of the finest players on the planet. 

Wentworth (Surrey)

This Surrey club, established in 1955, plays host each year to the BMW PGA Championship, one of the flagship events on the European Tour. Tyrrell Hatton proved his worth as the betting favourite when he won here in 2020, joining a rollcall that read’s like a who’s who of golf – major champions Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer and Rory McIlroy have all triumphed at Wentworth.

The club went private in 2014 after being purchased by the Reignwood Group for £135 million and facilities include three different courses, as well as a tennis centre, fitness and spa facilities, dining and much more.

To become a member at Wentworth, you’ll need to pay a fee in excess of £100,000.

Beaverbrook (Surrey)

This slice of golfing real estate is built within the grounds of the Victorian mansion that was formerly the home of Lord Beaverbrook.

Such impeccable standards have been the inspiration behind the golf club, which offers 18 holes of outstanding parklands co-designed by Tom Watson, plus a hotel, spa and restaurant. 

Private members can also enjoy tennis, fishing, shooting and many other outdoor activities.

Loch Lomond (Argyll & Bute)

Given the exclusivity of the club and the rolling camber of its links-style layout, it is a huge surprise that Loch Lomond hasn’t hosted an edition of the Open Championship as yet.

It ranked 66th in the list of the best golf courses in the world back in 2005, and when not playing host to the Scottish Open on the European Tour – Johan Edfors shocked the golfing world when he won the title here in 2006 despite being a betting outsider – members can book their tee time throughout the year.

Speaking of membership…it will cost in excess of £100,000 to get on board at Loch Lomond, and you will need to be recommended by a current member or personally invited by the club’s hierarchy.

However, the benefits – from world-class golf to the sumptuous spa, dining and accommodation – speak for themselves. 

Queenwood (Surrey)

Good luck finding more information about Queenwood – this private club is so exclusive it doesn’t even have a public-facing website.>>

It will cost you a rumoured £200,000 to become a member, but perks include playing at a pristine course in the tradition of classic British parklands like Sunningdale, plus the chance to rub shoulders with stars such as Michael Douglas and Hugh Grant.

Queenwood, like the other four golf courses on this list, delivers a truly spellbinding experience whether you are a fan of the sport or not.