Dumbarnie Links in Fife – Course Review
20 November 2023Castle Stuart (Cabot Highlands) – Course Review
17 March 2024Trump International (Aberdeen)
Course Review
Conveniently located just 20 minutes away from Aberdeen Airport, Aberdeenshire, Trump International Scotland really is a special place.
From the minute you turn in from the main road, you know you’re in for something special.
A 1.5 mile meandering drive way through the woodlands, past award-winning 5 star Trump MacLeod House and Lodge Hotel.
Finally, you’re greeted with a very modern looking, yet classy clubhouse with an enormous Scottish flag proudly raised in the sky.
Yet still, no sight of the golf course which is hidden behind the dunes and only a glimmer of the open driving range facilities.
The ClubHouse at Trump International
The Clubhouse does somewhat resemble The White House. Not necessarily the grand nature of it, but with white pillars to symbolise the entrance.
The building is wide and single storied, built with large white / grey concrete stones and a grey slate roof.
Upon entering the clubhouse, you walk through the Pro Shop, with a variety of gifts, accessories and apparel which is all Trump branded.
Once you’re into the main bar area, its decor is a mix of golf club tradition with dark oak features and a tartan carpet and modern white walls and skylights
Trump Scotland Practice Facilities
The practice facilities are good with a large open range with balls waiting for you there in pyramid style.
There is a good size chipping area with multiple greens and bunkers, plus an enormous putting green awaits you before you walk onto the first tee.
On the Tee at Trump International Golf Links
Every single hole has 5 or 6 different tee boxes with the majority of them elevated giving you a fantastic view of the hole that awaits you.
A huge feature for the course are the great dunes which are often wispy and white in colour, providing the perfect contrast to the magnificently manicured fairways.
Each hole is lined with the dunes, creating its own amphitheatre as the anticipation builds up for the next hole.
The condition of the course was fabulous. Fairways lush and the greens very pure.
Putting on them was very difficult though due to the ‘snakey’ nature of your ball after making contact.
The course was designed by Dr. Martin Hawtree and certainly doesn’t have a bad hole.
Perhaps a sign of how good the course is by saying, it’s hard to mention what the best hole is as there’s so many contenders.
On the back 9, you certainly play closer to the sea with various glimpses of it from the raised tee boxes.
Arguably our favourite view on the golf course is on the 18th tee box, whereby you can see other holes on the course.
But also the clubhouse in the distance with the large Scottish flag hanging proudly.
We were incredibly lucky with the weather with no rain and just enough wind to pose a challenge without being impossible.
Post-Round Food and Drink
We were invited by the club to play Trump International Scotland, therefore, there was food laid on for us after our round.
Typically, at these kinds of events, you would get a standard golfer's meal.
Not at a Trump venue though. We then had one of the nicest, most-varied buffets.
A real mix of hot and cold snacks, including wraps, nachos, wings, salad and much more.
All of which was cooked and presented superbly.
It really was the perfect way to end a fabulous day of golf. If you’re thinking of coming to play Trump International Scotland, just do it.
It's an incredible experience and you will not be disappointed.