In the middle of July this Martin Hawtree-designed course, just north of Balmedie, was opened costing $1 billion - The Trump International Scotland. Trump has proudly called the course the best in the world and its construction has been the subject of political discussion. We check in at the temporary clubhouse, stare at everything that can be bought in the name of Trump, and head to the driving range and manage at the same time to get told off for not paying for a cart. We nod in acknowledgement but refuse to add a further £5 to the £200 we have already paid. Out on the 1st tee we get the sense that something is about to happen. Numerous tee placements are dispersed within the natural surroundings of differing lengths and elevations for maximum variety – furthest back are the pro tees – offering little chance of reaching the fairway. The fairways are narrow with rough and elephant grass that swallow balls instantly. The course is long so we choose a mixture of blue and white tee settings, more than enough for hitting into a 2-club wind. The fairways are still a little soft with a lot of sand high up in the turf. The 2nd – a par 4 – has a burn right across the fairway – protected by sand dunes to the right and a sandy beach behind. The greens are large, undulating, swarthy, and have fantastic run-offs and sod-walled bunkers for protection. An approach to the green makes the sound of a bongo drum – just as it should do. The 3rd – a par 3 – is a photogenic model, made for the cover of `The World’s Most Stunning Golf Hole´, with the North Sea straight offshore, and an intensively verdant green protected by sand dunes to the right and a sandy beach behind. As if it has been removed for safety’s sake during the night and brought out again in the morning – a true masterpiece. We encounter traffic – play through – LINKS75 keeps cool and makes par. We are already physically and psychologically exhausted as the course demands the use of all one’s senses. This is extreme.
4th hole, Trump International Golf Links
The 4th is once again a par 5 with a stone-edged burn running down the entire right hand side and a cluster of bunkers in the slope up towards the green. Trumps own favourite. The 6th – a par 3 – that frolics among the sand dunes in classic links fashion. The 7th is a short par 4 that is very reachable with elevated green with steep run-offs creating more worries than we anticipate. On the 8th we play through yet another group. A master-class in driving draws spontaneous comments. The 9th is a last links delight before we stop and fill up at the mobile watering hole. The course is incredibly demanding in terms of precision, length and strategy. Modern links golf when it is at its best. The 10th is another terrific par 5 with alternative fairways that end with a small entrance to a green fringed by 20-yards high sand dunes – a classic links cathedral.
10th green, Trump International Golf Links
We rest through the 11th and 12th in order to enjoy the 13th – a par 3. On the way to the 14th we sense something in the air that can’t be ignored. When we get there we realise what it is – world class American links romanticism. A hole that you don’t really want to play just stand on the tee and imbibe. Exceptional does not do it justice. It’s quite simply one of the best golf holes we have ever seen. The 15th is a short par 4 that is an inviting challenge. The 16th leads into the finishing stretch and is a long par 3 with no margin for error. The 17th is a long par 4 dogleg uphill with elevated green, where a par feels like a birdie. At the 18th we climb up to the black tee and look out over the whole course with the 14th at our backs giving us the shivers. The 18th in front of us – 651 yards from the black tee – is not one hole it is an entire course.
Backtee att 18th, Trump Internaional Golf Links
They will write doctoral theses on the 18th hole, and it will be just as difficult to dissect this beast as to make par. A finish worthy of a soon-to-be world-renowned course. We conclude our day with a Trump burger and plan our return. A course deserving of a thesis.
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