Donald Trump is not modest. “The world’s best golf course” is his own assessment of Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire. Read on to see if we agree.

“Scotland didn’t need to have another links course built here”. Such was the opinion of one of my fellow golf journalists when we visited Trump International Golf Links. Maybe he’s technically correct in that Scotland didn’t NEED another links course, but who wouldn’t want one? While the project has been mired in controversy from the beginning, the end result is truly magnificient. Say what you want about Donald Trump, but he knows how to build a golf course.

That said, the clubhouse is surprisingly unassuming. It is not lacking in any way, and it is beautifully appointed, but it is not particularly big. It fits in quite nicely in the surroundings, looking like it belongs and has been there for a long time, even though it only opened in 2012. The same goes for the restaurant and pro shop. The menu has everything you could ask for, service is prompt, and the food is first class, but it is not too much. The pro shop has what you need, and of course, some branded luxury clothing, but again, it’s not over-the-top. Not at all the gold and glitter you might expect when you hear the Trump name, but actually rather tasteful.