2024 Genesis Scottish Open: How much does it cost to be a member at the Renaissance Club?

The global golfing spotlight will be back on Rory McIlroy as he defends his title at the 2024 Genesis Scottish Open while preparing for his last chance this year to end his frustrating ten year major title drought.

The PGA Tour is co-sanctioning the event with the DP World Tour for the third straight year. When players tee off Thursday at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland, the field will include many of the top 20 players in the world as they work on their links golf skills ahead of next week’s Open Championship at Royal Troon (South Ayrshire).

Creating the Renaissance

Not many people would have tried to wedge a golf club in between two of the greatest links courses in the world, Muirfield and North Berwick, but American businessman Jerry Sarvadi took on the challenge and has hit the jackpot.

Designed by Tom Doak, the Renaissance Club has undergone significant changes in recent years and has landed the Scottish Open until 2026, clearly setting it up as one of the world’s premier golf courses.

Not quite a true links course, the Renaissance Club is a grand homage to Scottish golf, created by American money and design. Renowned as a challenging course to play, becoming a member can be equally tricky.

Only a few hundred members are accepted so the club effectively guarantees a calm and leisurely round of golf. And the good news is that membership is not as costly as it used to be. The financial misfortunes of the UK in recent years have seen the value of the pound sterling tumble, so that a £75,000 membership bond, which would have been $125k a few years ago, is now only $98,300. The yearly dues are £6000 ($7870).

Not ready to be a member, but still fancy trying your luck at the Renaissance? Previously, that would have been nigh on impossible. But luckily there is now a way to play a one-off round. The “One Time Experience” offers a round for £300 ($393) or £480 ($630) including accommodation.

There are a few caveats, however. Restricted availability and a heavy encouragement to stay on the property is the least of it. True to its name, the “One Time Experience” can only be experienced once in your lifetime.

For residents of Scotland, there is another route to take to play the Renaissance. If you are a member of the partly government-funded organization Scottish Golf, there are now tee times available between November and March on Monday and Wednesday mornings, a snip at £280 ($367) per round.