The Club began as Mount Lofty Golf Estate Ltd in
1925, when five members of the Adelaide Golf Club
(now Royal Adelaide) established a course that
would provide some relief from the summer heat.

"Cargie" Rymill, who laid out the nine-hole course,
was also involved in the planning of Kooyonga,
Glenelg, Grange and Royal Adelaide golf courses.

Previously the area contained, at various times, an iron mine, a timber mill, an apple
orchard, and a perfume factory. The old perfume factory is now part of the green keeper's shed, beside the 18th tee.

Club members originally occupied old farm buildings (c.1855), until they built the first clubrooms, in 1927. They added residential facilities in 1935, and for many years Mount Lofty was the only golf club in South Australia offering on-course accommodation. It still is the only golf course in the Adelaide metropolitan area to do so.

In 1963, the Club added the second nine holes. Because of site restrictions, the course is shorter than some, resulting in the inclusion of six par-three holes, but the layout places a premium on accuracy.

Mount Lofty opened its present clubhouse in 1968, when the Timber Development Association of South Australia awarded the new building a Certificate of Merit "For the graceful, practical and beautiful use of timber". Six years later, the Club built an adjoining block of five motel units, which are popular with wedding parties, conference delegates, and of course, keen golfers. The Club buildings overlook a scenic lake, which also stores water for the now totally irrigated golf course.

Courtesy Frank Coulter