‘Rich Americans are ruining it for average punter’: Golfers revolt as Donald Trump inflates fees at Turnberry golf course to a ‘ridiculous’ £1,000 a round – making it the most expensive in the UK
British golf fans are furious after Donald Trump’s Scottish Turnberry Resort hikes prices to £1,000 per round, making it the most expensive course in the UK.
The transatlantic golf dispute has arisen because British golfers, who claim it is the best course in the country, feel they are being priced out of the sport by the ‘rich Americans’.
Many took to X (formerly Twitter) to point the finger at Republican presidential candidate Trump, who bought the track in 2014, and the influx of wealthy American gamblers he attracts.
One social media user said: ‘Ouch. I hope to make a trip to Scotland in the next few years but I’m worried these courses are pricing regular golfers out of the market and I’m just hoping rich Americans cover the costs.’
Another posted: ‘Rich American golfers are ruining the game of golf for the average punter. I was lucky enough to play at Turnberry twice for Trump for £100 but the price to play Scotland’s elite courses is now insane.’
Former US President Donald Trump plays golf at his Trump Turnberry course in South Ayrshire during his visit to the UK
Donald Trump on July 18
Another X account noted that Turnberry was a “great job” but “not £1,000 great.”
The price increases were announced by Scottish golf enthusiast David Jones, owner of the blog UK Golf Guy.
He said on Sunday that ’18 holes on the Alisa course in Turnberry costs £1,000 per person for non-residents before 1pm. After 1pm £545.’
He also noted that in 2013, the year before Trump took over the course, the price for a round was £176.
The Ailsa course and hotel resort in Turnberry in south-west Scotland, which Trump has owned since 2014, has become the most expensive in the UK at £56 per hole before 1pm. according to The Times.
In the meantime, Golf summary said Trump’s famous Scottish golf course prices will be ‘highest’ in 2025 ‘green fees on the planet’.
Golf fanatics are furious as Donald Trump-owned Turnberry resort in Scotland raises prices to ‘ridiculous’ £1,000 per round
Golfers at X pointed fingers at the former US president and the influx of wealthy American gamblers he has attracted
Some believe that Scottish golfers are being priced out of the sport by the ‘rich Americans’.
Jones also warned about green fees at other high-profile courses in Scotland, including the Old Course at St Andrews, Carnoustie in Angus and Muirfield in East Lothian.
The fees for Carnoustie and Muirfield are £321 and £365 respectively, while the Old Course at St Andrews, which has yet to announce its fees for next year, is £320 this summer. according to The Times.
In the meantime, golf website Golfshake said: ‘Even we were surprised when we saw the price to play the legendary Ailsa in 2025. There’s no doubt that the Ailsa is one of the most beautiful venues in the world, but enough people have been put off by the venue’s association with Donald Trump that these new prices make it even more inaccessible to the majority.’
Americans account for more than half of the turnover on golf courses and hotels in Scotland during the summer months.
DailyMail.com has reached out to Turnberry for comment.
This comes after Donald Trump indicated on Friday that he wants to give golf legend Sir Nick Faldo a job in the White House if he is elected president in November, the Republican presidential candidate said.
Although Faldo is from England, he appears to have become interested in Republican politics since marrying his fourth wife, American former topless dancer Lindsay De Marco, in 2020. She is a MAGA fanatic and was appointed Mrs Conservative US in 2012.
Trump was very enthusiastic about the British golf champion during a campaign rally in Bozeman, Montana. During his attendance at Trump’s event, he said Faldo was “a good friend of mine.”
During Friday’s rally, Trump addressed the retired athlete and praised his golf skills to the crowd.
“He could take people with him, he played the best players in the world, and they always gave up for him. I even think I should bring him into the government, because we like other people to give up.”