Trump Turnberry (King Robert the Bruce)
Trump Turnberry (King Robert the Bruce) | NCG Top 100s : Scotland Golf Courses
Rankings
9th
59th
216th
The King Robert the Bruce Course is one of several at the Trump Turnberry Resort, and the newest edition to a wonderful portfolio of golf.
Designed by Martin Ebert, and named after one of Scotland’s most famous sons, the King Robert the Bruce Course is the perfect complement to its older sibling.
Of course, the Trump Turnberry Resort is also home to the Ailsa Course, which has played host to the Open Championship on several occasions.
Read our full piece on the Trump Turnberry Resort here.
Visit the Trump Turnberry website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.
Visit the Trump Turnberry website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.
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A Brief History of Trump Turnberry (King Robert the Bruce)
As you probably guessed, Trump Turnberry’s second 18-hole offering is named after one of Scotland’s most famous people.
Turnberry Castle was where Robert the Bruce was born back in the 13th Century. He would become the man to lead his country at the Battle of Bannockburn four decades later.
Martin Ebert and Donald Steel were behind the design of the Kintyre Course, which opened at the turn of the 21st Century. The course took some of the old Arran Course, but the Kintyre would only last around 15 years.
Ebert then returned to redesign the course, with the King Robert the Bruce Course officially opening in June 2017.
Trump Turnberry (King Robert the Bruce) Review | NCG Top 100s: Scotland
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The King Robert the Bruce became the second course at Trump Turnberry, and there are stunning views out across the coast of Scotland around the turn. Fairway bunkers are the main challenge around the course, which now runs at just over 7,200 yards from the very back tees, but it plays much shorter if you go for the easier options available. Ebert’s redesign has introduced marram grass to those fairway traps, while the greenside bunkers remain in true links style, as do the undulating greens.
The layout begins with its longest hole, playing 618 from its full yardage. It is a tough dog-leg left par 5, that is still more than 515 from the yellows. It is followed by the opening par 3 on the King Robert the Bruce Course, which is played to a large, circular green. It is only 180 yards from the tips, but finding the wrong part of the putting surface could lead to a big number. The 3rd is a gentle par 4, and one of few moments of respite you will find on this layout. 4 and 5 are lengthy par 4s, with the latter turning slight to the right, running parallel to a natural wetland area.
Navigate that well and you are rewarded with another par 3. The green is raised from the rest of the land, making it tough to hit. The 7th is another dog-leg left par 4, and it is followed by the par 5 8th. ‘Windy Brae’ is where the course reaches the coastline, with the sea breeze at its worst. The 9th is one of the quirkiest holes on the entire NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. It is a long par 4 that has a square dog-leg left at the end. ‘Kintyre’s Cove’ can be reached in two, but only for those that find the fairway with their drives.
The back nine on the King Robert the Bruce Course begins with the shortest par 3 of the lot. It is only 166 yards to the middle from the tips, and it is played a large green. 11 is a long par 5 which takes you to the water’s edge for the final time, before you come to the longest par 3 on the layout. At 206 yards from the tips, and playing to a long green, there is plenty of chance that you’ll miss this putting surface. However, there is space on either side, bar a couple of pot bunkers on the right.
If you have a good score going at this point, this is the time to start clinging on to it. 13, 15 and 17 are tough par 4s. The first is a slight dog-leg left around natural wetlands, while both 15 and 17 turn slightly to the right. The 14th offers some respite as long as you find the fairway. This par 5 is only 535 from the tips, and 500 from the yellows, so there could be a birdie or two on here. The 16th is the last par 3 but it is played to a testing green. The closer on the King Robert the Bruce takes you right back to the clubhouse, and it is a strong par 5 to end your round. There are 12 bunkers in play throughout, but if you find the short stuff, could you birdie the last and have something to talk about over a drink?
Our Panellists Notes for 2026
Chris Healey: Great test of golf, whilst more forgiving than its neighbour it keeps you honest with the main challenge from the wind. Strategy needed here.
Neil White: If it weren't the sibling of the magnificent Ailsa, the King Robert The Bruce would be much more celebrated. It is a very fine course with superb Turnberry conditioning.
David Walker: Previously very much the second course but the 2017 redesign has elevated the course with sweeping fairways, bold bunkering and challenging greens. While it is still some way from its more illustrious neighbour it now does stand on its own as a fine modern links.
Jim Marshall: A round fit for a King! Sits in the Ailsa's shadow but a great course in its own right. Spectacular views, holes 8-11 are wonderful.
Read more about our panellists here.
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FAQs about Trump Turnberry
Where is Trump Turnberry located?
Trump Turnberry is located in the southwest of Scotland, in South Ayrshire. It is on the western coastline of the country, looking out to the Irish Sea and across to the famous Ailsa Craig. The city of Glasgow is around 50 miles north of Trump Turnberry, with Ayr around 15 miles north along the coastline.
Girvan Station is the closest train station to Trump Turnberry, and it is less than five miles south of the golfing venue. Girvan sits on the Glasgow South Western line, with trains running from Girvan through to Ayr and Glasgow on a regular basis. For international visitors to the region, both Glasgow Airport and Edinburgh Airport are within two hours from Trump Turnberry, with the latter being the biggest and busiest airport in Scotland.
Trump Turnberry is located in the southwest of Scotland, in South Ayrshire. It is on the western coastline of the country, looking out to the Irish Sea and across to the famous Ailsa Craig. The city of Glasgow is around 50 miles north of Trump Turnberry, with Ayr around 15 miles north along the coastline.
Girvan Station is the closest train station to Trump Turnberry, and it is less than five miles south of the golfing venue. Girvan sits on the Glasgow South Western line, with trains running from Girvan through to Ayr and Glasgow on a regular basis. For international visitors to the region, both Glasgow Airport and Edinburgh Airport are within two hours from Trump Turnberry, with the latter being the biggest and busiest airport in Scotland.
Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Scotland venues nearby?
Along with the King Robert the Bruce, the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry also occupies a spot on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. Drive north up the west coast, and you'll come to Prestwick, Prestwick St Nicholas, Western Gailes, Dundonald Links, Gailes Links and Royal Troon - with its Old Course and Portland Course.
What golf facilities does Trump Turnberry offer?
Along with stunning golf courses, Trump Turnberry also has some incredible practice facilities as well. Firstly, there is an 18-hole putting course and a Martin Ebert-designed short game area, perfect for honing those skills before taking on one of the trickiest Open Championship venues.
Along with the King Robert the Bruce, the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry also occupies a spot on the NCG Top 100s: Scotland list. Drive north up the west coast, and you'll come to Prestwick, Prestwick St Nicholas, Western Gailes, Dundonald Links, Gailes Links and Royal Troon - with its Old Course and Portland Course.
What golf facilities does Trump Turnberry offer?
Along with stunning golf courses, Trump Turnberry also has some incredible practice facilities as well. Firstly, there is an 18-hole putting course and a Martin Ebert-designed short game area, perfect for honing those skills before taking on one of the trickiest Open Championship venues.
The driving range at the Trump Turnberry Golf Academy aims towards the Turnberry lighthouse, providing a stunning backdrop for the facility. There are plenty of technological advances used at the Golf Academy, including swing path recognition, TrackMan and Gasp, which uses three slow-motion cameras. There is also a designated room for practicing putting, with technology aimed at improving the putting abilities of golfers that walk through its doors.
What are the green fees at Trump Turnberry?
The price of a green fee at Trump Turnberry changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. There are also stay & play packages available at the resort.
For more information on current green fees at Trump Turnberry, visit their website here.
Read our full piece on the Trump Turnberry Resort here.
Visit the Trump Turnberry website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.
Visit the Trump Turnberry website here.
Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage.
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