Trump International Golf Links

Trump International Golf Links, Scotland (TIGLS) was established in 2006 when Donald Trump purchased a 1,400-acre plot near Aberdeen, aiming to create a world-class golf resort. The course, opened on July 10, 2012 and is known for its challenging layout and scenic views, set amidst ancient sand dunes.

It was designed by Russell Talley and overseen by Martin Hawtree. The course setup aimed to become one of the UK's longest courses with the ambition of hosting The Open, featuring extensive fairways and challenging marram grass.

The development plan for TIGLS included two 18-hole courses, a 5-star hotel, golf villas, holiday homes, and a golf academy. However, the project faced opposition due to environmental concerns, particularly the impact on the 4,000-year-old sand dunes, leading to the revocation of the site's SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) status in December 2020.

In addition to the golf course, the Trump Organization's plans included attempts to acquire additional land through compulsory purchase, leading to local resistance and the formation of the Tripping Up Trump campaign. The resort's construction and its impact on local residents were documented in the 2011 film "You've Been Trumped." In October 2020, Aberdeenshire Council approved a second golf course on the site, named the MacLeod Course after Donald Trump's mother.

The golf course is known for its wide fairways and spectacular holes offering, with significant elevations and slopes around the greens. The layout is kept in excellent condition, though the flow of the routing is hampered by lengthy transitions between holes.

Of particular note is the 14th Hole, a 445-yard Par 4 that is considered the course's signature hole, showcasing a dramatic descent to a fairway bordered by the North Sea. Also, the 18th Hole, a 651-yard Par 5, is recognized for its length and is one of Scotland's longest holes, providing a climactic end to the round.

Play can be tough under windy conditions, and the course may not appeal to players looking for a more relaxed round of golf; but as an "experience" course, it is up there with the best.

Tee times can be booked online for both the Old Course and the New Course.

Four-ball packages are available for purchase.