Trump International Golf Links - Scotland (New Course)

The second 18-hole golf course at Trump International Golf Links will be known as the New Course. Whilst there have been public viewing and course walks for the media, not much press has been given to it yet. We have got our hands on a routing map that outlines tees, fairways and greens... but no bunkers.

We try our best to preview the course, which is rumoured to open in 2025 for preview play at least. As of 2024, 16 of 18 holes are growing in and during the recent Legends Event, many of the pros and media were given a sneak peak.

2025 will be an interesting year for new Scottish Links with Cabot Highlands' second course also slated for a similar opening timeline. Is this the marquee battle of the heavyweights in Scottish links golf?

Trump International Golf Links - New Course

What we do know is as the original 18 is laid out on the coastline, this course has at least 3 holes on the seaside in holes 11 through 13. Additionally, the course lies mostly inland from the front or outward nine of the first course.

If you are familiar with the first course, the 1st tee, 9th green, 10th tee and 18th green all converge at the clubhouse. The short game area, driving range and parking lot are perfectly arranged near to each other. Stood on and looking down range, you will tee off the 1st on your left and return to the right side of the range on 18.

The Challenge & Opportunity of the New Course

When you build a golf course, you use the best land first as you never really know if a second 18 will ever come to fruition. If and when a second 18 is built, it will always be compared, fairly or not, to the original. Get it right and you may be mentioned in the same breath as Winged Foot, Royal Melbourne and Sunningdale. If it doesn't live up to the billing, you can always call it a relief course... somehow I don't think ownership will be aiming for that, nor would they proceed if the end result was anything but certain.

With a second 18 holes on the property set adjacent to a links that debuted in the World Top 100, there will no doubt be comparisons. From the line drawings of the routing, it will be interesting to see how the final stretch of holes is shaped as they work inland and are well and truly on former arable land. Dumbarnie, Kingsbarns, and the Castle Course have all done well in tying in the linksland with the farmland but this may well be the biggest test for the greatness of the course.