It’s not every day that you get to play a completely new golf course, just a month after it opened and it’s in perfect condition. That’s what happened when we got the invite to play the New Course at Trump International, Scotland, just north of Aberdeen on the east coast.
World’s Best Golf Destinations were already great fans of the Old Course, opened in 2012….so we were looking forward to seeing and playing the second instalment of the Trump branded “The Greatest 36 holes in Golf” Will the New Course live up to that hype? Let’s find out.
The New Course
The New Course is the result of a design process led by Eric Trump, supported by a team of experienced golf architects, engineers, agronomists, and environmental consultants. This project builds on the original links masterplan developed by renowned golf architect Dr. Martin Hawtree.
The course has been designed and constructed with a focus on environmental sensitivity and long-term sustainability. Key initiatives include:
- An innovative freshwater and drainage system that collects and reuses water from across the site to irrigate all 36 holes.
2. The translocation of over 10 hectares of native vegetation to preserve indigenous plant habitats.
3. Planting of more than 1 million sprigs and the harvesting of 6 tonnes of marram grass seed.
4. The development of new wetland and dune-slack areas, encouraging the formation of wildlife habitats.
Principal contractors Golflink Evolve, led by Esie O’Mahoney and Jamie O’Reilly, were responsible for shaping the New Course, using their expertise to integrate the design seamlessly into the natural landscape.
The New Course has six sets of tees to choose from ranging from 5105 yards up to the pro tees at 7589 yards. After discussing our game with the starter Bruce, and taking his advice, we chose to play from the blue tees at a strong 6717 yards. As always, choose the tees that suit your game and your handicap
Our Front Nine Favourite Holes
We have chosen to feature four holes on the front nine, the 3rd, 4th, 7th and 9th. We know it’s one more than normal but it was extremely difficult to leave out any of the front nine. It’s that good. Water plays a major part on holes 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 so if you don’t hit it straight, take plenty of balls with you.
The 3rd hole
Hole yardages on the 3rd range from 137 yards to 227 yards. From the blue tees, it’s 179 yards. The green is large with many undulations making a two putt very difficult. The bailout area is to the left but from there you are more likely to make a bogey than a par. It’s a challenging hole so if you make a par, you should be delighted.
It’s all carry to the 4th green
The 4th hole is stroke index 1 on the card. It measures 393 yards from the blue tees and there is water all up the right hand side and in front of the green. This hole is a slicers nightmare. The fairway isn’t particularly wide at any point so it’s a tough tee shot to find the short stuff. Your second shot doesn’t really have any bailout option. Even if you lay up, you still have to go over the water to the green. It normally plays into the wind as well so if you can make a par here, you again should feel delighted. We didn’t make par….
Seventh Heaven
Normally, we at World’s Best prefer a downhill par 3. There is nothing more rewarding than standing on an elevated tee looking down at a green and seeing your tee shot find the putting surface. However, we think we have found the most picturesque and visually stunning UPHILL par 3 we have ever seen. Ladies and Gentlemen, we present the 7th hole on the New Course.
Photo courtesy of Trump International, Scotland
From the blue tee, this hole measures 163 yards, however the green is at least 20 yards above you and it was also playing into the wind. It is better to take too much club than come up short. Those bunkers are deep so avoid them at all cost. There is a tier going diagonally across the green so if possible try and find the correct level as again, two putting is challenging. This hole is the best par 3 on the course.
The 9th hole is another visually stunning hole. From the elevated tee, wind is your enemy as you are hitting towards the North Sea. Any distance you think you will gain from hitting downhill will be counteracted by the wind.
Photo courtesy of Trump International, Scotland
You need to be mindful of the pin position on your approach to the green as the putting surface is 42 yards long, that’s a four club difference from front to back. There are no fairway bunkers on this hole although you need to be aware of the vast President’s bunker to the right of the green. Go in there and it will wreck your scorecard.
Turning for Home
On the inward nine, we have chosen to feature the 10th, 12th and 15th holes. Again there were others we could have chosen but these were the ones we thought we the most interesting and visually intimidating.
Photo courtesy of Trump International, Scotland
Nowadays, the 10th hole would be classified as a risk/reward hole. It’s a short par 4 of 258 yards from the blue tees. For us, the risk was never an option. Unless you can carry the ball 245 yards in the air, it shouldn’t be an option for you either. The gully just short of the green is a graveyard for golf balls. We recommend an iron off the tee into the fairway and a wedge to the green which sits above you. If you can do that, there will be no stress and you will make a straightforward par.
No Bailout on the 12th Hole
Photo courtesy of Trump International, Scotland
The 12th hole is a feast for the eyes. To your right you have the beach and the North Sea. Both the tee and the green are elevated, they both sit on top of the dunes. Between the tee and the green there is trouble everywhere. From the blue tees it’s 138 yards and it’s yet another par 3 that adds to that list, the list of par 3’s that don’t have to be long to be difficult. This hole will be a nightmare on a windy day. Thankfully for us there was a mere zephyr of breeze. You can add this hole to another list, make par and run to the next tee.
The Longest Hole
At 598 yards from the blue tee, the 15th is comfortably the longest hole on the New Course. It also happens to be stroke index 2 so even though it’s a par 5, you know it’s not going to be easy.
Your tee shot on 15
We reckon that very few golfers, even pro golfers will get near the green in two on this hole. For us mere mortals, this is a three shot hole and none of those shots are short irons. There are water hazards and bunkers everywhere on this hole. If you find the fairway, even the layup shot is difficult. There are bunkers strategically placed and if you lay up short of them, you are left with a third shot of at least 180 yards. Try to carry the bunkers and there is a burn that runs up the right hand side and cuts across the fairway about 90 yards from the green.
The approach to the 15th green
The 15th hole is more of a par 6 than a par 5. If you make a 5, it will feel like a birdie. We found this hole incredibly difficult. Now that we have played it, and know where the trouble is, we are confident that it will still be an easier 6 than a 5 the next time we take it on. Just for your information, we hit driver, 3 wood and 4 iron on this hole and didn’t make the green. We also didn’t chip and putt for par. Better luck next time…
In Our Opinion
The New Course at Trump International, Scotland is special and on many holes, just as visually dramatic as the Old Course. It is exceptional and a challenge no matter the standard of golfer. The New Course was in excellent playing condition for such a new layout.
Will both courses end up being “The Greatest 36 holes in Golf”? Time will tell. What we can say is that we thoroughly enjoyed our round on our return visit to Trump International, Scotland. In our opinion, if you can remember all the holes, in order, then it’s a truly great course. We can still do that for the Old Course, even though it’s been two years since we last played it. Will we remember all the holes on the New Course in two years time? We might need a return visit in 2026, just to refresh our memory once more.
Thank You
A massive thanks to Jamie Sangster, Head of Resort Marketing and to Jonas Hedberg, Director of Golf at Trump International, Scotland, for arranging our visit and organising our day. It was much appreciated and we hope to see you both in 2026. Thanks again.
At a Glance
- Two outstanding courses, the Old and the New
- Full sized double ended practice area
- Excellent short game practice area
- Large putting green adjacent to both first tees
- Well stocked professional shop
- Comfortable clubhouse with excellent food
- 12 miles north of Aberdeen City Centre
Jim Callaghan CCM is a former Club Manager with experience of overseeing several top Scottish Golf Clubs.
Now, as European Editor of Golf Operator Magazine and World’s Best Golf Destinations, he shares insights into club operations and his golfing adventures across Europe.
Jim is also an Ambassador for premium clothing brand Fenix Xcell Clothing and also for the Spanish local DMC, Costa Verde Golf and is host of @JimTheSeniorGolfer on YouTube.
If your club/resort or brand wants to reach over 400,000 golfers, contact Jim at [email protected] or call 0044 (0) 78522
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