Trump's Golfing Ventures: Business, Networking, and Competition in Scotland

August 10, 2025
Trump's Golfing Ventures: Business, Networking, and Competition in Scotland

Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, has long intertwined his passion for golf with his business pursuits, particularly evident during his recent visit to Scotland. This trip coincides with the opening of a new golf course near Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, and underscores how Trump utilizes the sport not merely as recreation but as a significant facet of his business strategy.

Golf has been a common pastime for many U.S. presidents, often viewed as a necessary diversion from the rigors of political life. However, Trump's relationship with golf is markedly different, leaning heavily towards competitive play and business networking. According to Mick Mulvaney, who served as White House Chief of Staff under Trump, the former president approaches the game with a fierce competitiveness. "In fact, if you are slow, you aren’t going to get invited back," Mulvaney remarked, highlighting Trump's intolerance for anything less than peak performance on the course.

The significance of golf in Trump’s life extends beyond personal enjoyment; it serves as a strategic tool for establishing connections with influential figures. Trump purchased his first golf property, Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, in 1999. Since then, he has expanded his portfolio to include 11 courses in the United States and three in the United Kingdom, alongside plans for new developments in Oman, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Qatar. However, not all of his ventures have been financially successful. For instance, Trump's Balmedie course reported a loss of $1.83 million in 2023, marking its 11th consecutive year in the red, as per official filings with the British government.

While Trump's U.S. courses have hosted prestigious professional tournaments, he has expressed a desire for Turnberry, another of his Scottish courses, to host the British Open. This ambition reflects his broader strategy of leveraging golf as a means to enhance his brand and business interests. Kevin Brown, a British golf journalist, noted that Trump is drawn to high-profile properties for the prestige they offer. "It’s about attracting the right people – i.e., filthy rich businessmen with pretty deep pockets," Brown stated.

Trump's golfing partners often include political allies and foreign dignitaries, providing opportunities for informal discussions on various issues. For example, during a round with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, they reportedly conversed about global security and the war in Ukraine. Such interactions underscore the transactional nature of Trump’s approach to golf, which Professor David Cay Johnston of Rochester Institute of Technology describes as fundamentally strategic. "If you’re the head of a company or the head of a nation, you either try and minimize any prospective damage he might do to you by buttering him up or to size him up on something if you’re unsure," Johnston explained.

Despite the controversy surrounding his golf claims — which include assertions of winning numerous club championships — accounts of Trump's actual golfing skill vary widely. His penchant for moving his ball to more favorable positions and taking multiple mulligans has led some, including sports journalist Rick Reilly, to label him a "notorious cheat." However, Mulvaney, who has played numerous rounds with Trump, remarked that while the president may use golf to connect, the game is about more than just business. "This is golf," Mulvaney said. "And while that sounds obtuse, golfers know what I mean. Trump was a golfing enthusiast long before he was president. And he will be long after, as well."

In conclusion, Trump's golfing pursuits serve a dual purpose: they provide him with a competitive outlet and a platform for networking and influence. As he continues to expand his golf-related ventures, the implications for both his business interests and personal brand remain significant. As observed by observers, the game of golf has transformed into a transactional arena for Trump, where relationships are cultivated as much as they are contested on the fairway. With future developments on the horizon, it will be interesting to see how Trump's ongoing relationship with golf evolves and impacts his broader business strategy.

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Donald TrumpgolfScotlandbusiness networkinggolf coursesTrump International Golf ClubBalmedieTurnberrypolitical connectionsbusiness strategygolfing competitionsMick MulvaneyKevin BrownDavid Cay Johnstongolfing historyWhite Housegolf as a businessfinancial lossesgolfing claimsforeign dignitariesgolfing partnershipsScottish golfTrump golf propertiesinternational businessgolfing etiquettegolf championshipsgolf industryreal estategolfing culturepolitical leaders

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