trump international golf course locations

The work done on the bunkering has further enhanced the aesthetics and it really is a visually stunning golf course. It’s a course where simply walking the beautifully maintained pathways through the dunes is enjoyable and good golf would be merely a bonus. But a selection of teeing options means players of varying standards will enjoy a game on the Menie Estate. Doonbeg's already really good.The course can be set up to be supremely challenging and, when the wind blows, even the finest players will find their game receives a thorough examination.

He's scheduled to update several other original holes in the next year or so to put his final stamp on the place.

He built a new green on the par-5 fourth hole and had to reconfigure several other coastal holes damaged by the storm (nos. Hawtree also removed the bunker in the middle of the 12th green, which was the only thing of interest on an otherwise straightforward par 4. The replacement par 3 still has the same great view of the beach and the lodge - actually it is probably better - but the hole is a little less of a talking point. The old signature par-3 14th hole was washed away by a severe winter storm. Unfortunately, two of my favorite things about the old layout are gone. Doonbeg - I'll always call the original Greg Norman course that - sits in a five-star setting with five-star accommodations. I need to see the final tweaks made by architect Martin Hawtree before I bestow such lofty praise. I can't give Trump Ireland five stars just yet. The grass in the rough grabs any club hit half heartedly without the conviction needed and is punished accordingly. It is a tough test of golf with anything wide off the tee punished severely. Great to walk on and play off but not what you expect with a links layout. The fairways are not of the fast running variety, rather they are lush and maintained within an inch of their life. As with a lot of these courses the par 3's are a feature with a couple of tough long ones and a couple of excellent shorter ones.ĭon't get conned into thinking this is a true links test. The course itself is strong as I said before and opens with a very good par 5 with the green set back in a huge dune. It smacks of forcing groups to pay over the top caddy fees and gratuities rather than providing basic services one expects. Particularly with some of the hidden trouble and blind shots. No course guides available for purchase and no hole guides on the tee is also not good enough.

Don't get me wrong, Doonbeg is a very strong golf club but they let themselves down in several ways.įirstly, apparently they have recently relaid up to eight greens which is all very well but if you have to leave the grass on them to the extent that you almost cannot hit the ball hard enough to get it to the hole, tell your upcoming patrons in advance. However, if you are taking the big dollars for golf then you have to deliver for the people paying. From a set up point of view it's all you can ask for with a beautiful clubhouse, first class service and a location to die for. It was up to Donald to follow up after Ballybunion with Trump International Doonbeg our penultimate course.

Trump international golf course locations