What I would say it that they have a genuinely world class site for golf and have pretty awesome facilities. The putting green below is absolutely huge and undulating and could provide interest for many an hour. The practice greens on the other side too are very undulating and provide a challenging short game area.
The new clubhouse had just been finished and does the job.
So the first starts as you mean to go on with what could be my favourite par 5. A good honest hole with a two tiered green to add interest. You can see straight away this is major championship stuff with evil pot bunkering to match the likes of Carnoustie. It was very misty at the start of our round but below is a view from the green highlighting 'the great dunes' and the classic land this course is built upon.
One of the criticisms levelled at the course is the overdoing of many of the greens. The first green I actually enjoyed but they certainly don't have the look of the old school links courses. Many are elevated with ridges to funnel balls off the edge and the internal contours certainly look very much man made at times. But overall they do keep the interest and the challenge going and I don't think it detracts from the experience at all.
The second is all about the drive with a burn cutting across the fairway from around 240 yards that begs the question whether to go for it or not. On this particular day it was well into the wind so driver was just fine. One thing to note is the difficulty and length of the course. From the third from back tees the challenge is more than enough for us. The tips will be an absolute brute and it will be interesting to see how the pros do when the Scottish Open comes along. Especially if the wind and rain comes along.
The fourth stokes some more controversy, mainly with the number of bunkers leading up to the green. Thankfully there are none to deal with from the tee with lateral water running up the entire length of the hole. Below, the landing area for the second is peppered with bunkers.. My strategy took me over them but into the greenside bunker on the left. I found it too extreme, impossible to get out of from anywhere but the centre.
Impressive to look at but at least 3 of these could go I reckon. Avoid the left one in the distance at all costs!
The 5th is far more restrained up until the green but an excellent shortish par 4 that asks questions off the tee with a well placed bunker. The green, like many others is elevated and doesn't really permit the running approach, maybe another criticism for a links course.
This pot at driving distance is well placed. The green is another two level affair to be negotiated. This was the first hole that reminded me of the more traditional sort you would find on a classic links. I found the back was slightly more refined compared to the bold and brash front 9 ( except the par 5s). Made me wonder the conversations Hawtree and trump must have had over design and I wonder how much of the course was decided by whom...
The 6th is another great par 3. You know you have to go left, you simply must. Though sometimes easier said than done.
The next is a surprise, a very drivable par 4 of only around 260 yards with a 'Dornoch-max' style elevated green. I somehow managed to run a driver up onto the green that only just stayed on though I think the percentage play to below the green may yield more birdies at less risk of a double. The fairway sits around 8 feet below the green, below.
Looking back down the 7th. Some of the chat surrounding Trump is that the holes run very much in valleys and the fairways are flat. Certainly not here, and overall I found there was ample undulation round the place.
The last two on the front 9 were the toughest in my view. Long par 4s that demand a decent drive. The 8th leads to an enormous but surprisingly flat(ish) green with the 9th, a sweeping par 4 to a well guarded green.
The back 9 begins with a typically wild par 5. A generous landing area leads to a second that should leave most to go for the green in 3 as an enormous dune blocks the view to the green. Below the view from the bunker at driving range. The dunes are certainly impressive though they are matched in size by the like of Barnbougle if not in number. Can't comment on the Irish courses as I haven't had the pleasure.
The next two are some lovely and more restrained par 4s. doglegging gently to the right. The twelfth has a great approach over a gully, below.
13 is super par 3 number 3. Another downhill approach but great fun none the less, and the view of the surrounding dunes and their strange pointy shapes is pretty unique.
Up the hill to the back of the green takes us to the next, which excepting 18 around the corner was the biggest wow moment in terms of the scenery. the hole itself is excellent with an angled fairway providing the challenge. No bunkers to be dealt with off the tee thankfully.
Maybe only the view at Turnberry comes close, this is as they say 'all world'. The 15th is played along the flat and is another very well designed short par 4 with a wicked green if the pin is tucked back left as it was on our day there. 16 is a good although maybe my least favourite par 3 with heavy bunkering along the left side of an angled green.
The penultimate hole is a very good par 4 with bunkers left framing the fairway but acts as a quiet run before the bombastic 18. I'm sure Mr trump had at least a small hand in deciding the set up of this 600 yard monster with a paltry 18 bunkers to navigate... Should make for an interesting finish in the Scottish Open if the big boys have a chance to get there in two.
A typically understated way to finish from trump. At least there was not a waterfall or faux indian burial ground to be seen.
So yes, The greens are a little tricked, there is some over bunkering and its too expensive ( as is almost any other world class course you can play). BUT it is genuinely world class and you are missing something significant in the golfing work if you do not play here. Just don't write cheques you're body can't cash an play from the correct tees.
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