Trump International (Old), Scotland has moved into the top 10 of National Club Golfer’s Top 100s Scotland rankings for the very first time.
Despite only opening in 2012, it is referred to as the Old Course at Trump International Golf Links in Scotland.
Located in Aberdeenshire this 18-hole layout has risen to number nine in the NCG Top 100s Scotland rankings.
So, what has driven it rise up in the rankings? And, how has it changed since it’s opening?
NCG Top 100s Podcast hosts, Dan Murphy and Tom Irwin, who have seen the course since its early days, explored the reasons as to why on their latest podcast.
For them, the rise in rankings and its place amongst Scotland’s leading modern links, is fully deserved.
“It’s up eight places and breaks into our top 10 for the first time, into number nine,” Murphy explained. “I’m very happy to see it there, it has come quite a long way in our list.
“We were actually there at the opening, when Donald Trump was there long before his Presidential days but it was still quite a surreal experience.
“It’s my view that the golf course has improved massively since it opened, as most golf courses do. They tend to be like fine wines in that respect, certainly if they’re well looked after.
“In terms of agronomy; just astonishing. At Trump it felt like winter had never happened, it was like the reverse of Narnia. I don’t know how they do it, but the course was absolutely prime.
“I think it has improved massively in terms of playing properly from when we started, where it didn’t in truth. The grass was sticky and it was very green.
“I think what it has got is a lot of elevated greens, to which some purists would say there are too many of those. The thing about an elevated green that far is that it does make it more difficult to run the ball into it which is something a lot of links purists like to do.”
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Not every aspect of the layout escaped scrutiny, however, with some parts of the design coming under the microscope a little more than others.
“The elevated tees are a personal niggle,” Irwin added. “The 18th is like a 100ft in the air. I know it affords ridiculous views, but it does feel a bit strange when it is so windy a lot of the time.”
Murphy explained how those concerns are now largely gone; “But it is way firmer than it used to be.
“Certainly when you are around the greens, you do now have the chance to show imagination and some versatility in your short game.
“It does demand it with the way the greens are set-up that you need to have different shots if you’re going to get the ball close.
“It has also softened off. The course was quite extreme at the start but it has become more playable and they have widened it.
“I actually think they could still go further in some places and off some tees. It felt at the start that you needed a decent sack of balls to go out there.”
- NOW READ: Why the north of Scotland is worth the hours of travel!
- NOW READ: NCG Top 100s: Scotland – What is the best opening hole?
- NOW READ: How can you play the New Course at Trump International?
Listen to the NCG Top 100s Podcast
Now have your say
Have you played Trump International (Old) golf course? Do you think it deserves a place in the top 10 rankings of Scotland courses? Let us know by leaving a comment or a post on X!
