Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - hole 9
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Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - hole 9
The par-3 ninth hole is one of the recently renovated holes on the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry Resort in Scotland. Jason Scott Deegan/GolfPass
Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - clubhouse
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Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - clubhouse
The clubhouse of the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry Resort has also received extensive improvements under Donald Trump's watch. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Ailsa Craig
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Ailsa Craig
Golfers playing the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry Resort can tell the forecast -- good or bad -- by looking at Ailsa Craig. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Trump Turnberry Resort
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Trump Turnberry Resort
The putting green and nine short holes of the improved Wee Links sit in the shadow of the famous hotel on the hill at Trump Turnberry Resort in Scotland. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - hole 1
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Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - hole 1
Starting with the first green, the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry Resort is never far from the shore. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - hole 5
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Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - hole 5
Bunkers seem to surround the fifth green, the end of the first par 5 on the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry Resort in Scotland. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - 5th hole
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Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - 5th hole
Golfers on the fifth green of the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry Resort can see the large flag and hotel. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - hole 8
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Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - hole 8
The renovated eighth hole on the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry is much improved. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - 8th hole
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Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - 8th hole
The rocky Ayrshire coast -- as seen from the eighth green -- is what steals the show on the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry Resort in Scotland. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - hole 9
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Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - hole 9
The par-3 ninth hole on the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry Resort rides rocky cliffs. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Turnberry Lighthouse
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Turnberry Lighthouse
The decommissioned Turnberry Lighthouse is now a halfway house and two-bedroom luxury suite. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - hole 10
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Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - hole 10
This menacing bunker guards the approach to the new 10th green on the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry Resort in Scotland. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - 10th green
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Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - 10th green
The 10th green might be the best viewing spot on the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry Resort in Scotland. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - hole 11
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Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - hole 11
The new par-3 11th hole on the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry Resort has been pushed closer to the rocky coastline. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - hole 12
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Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - hole 12
A World War II monument sits on a dune above the 12th green on the Ailsa golf course at Trump Turnberry Resort in Scotland. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - hole 16
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Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - hole 16
A burn fronts the 16th green on the Ailsa golf course at Trump Turnberry Resort. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - hole 18
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Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - hole 18
Scary bunkers frame the 18th hole on the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry Resort in Scotland. Jason Scott Deegan/Golf Advisor
Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - 6th green
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Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - 6th green
The new par-3 sixth hole on the Ailsa golf course at Trump Turnberry Resort is tough to hit in the wind off the water. David Cannon, Courtesy of Trump Turnberry Resort
Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - ninth green
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Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - ninth green
The new ninth hole on the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry Resort sits in the shadow of the famous seaside lighthouse. David Cannon, Courtesy of Trump Turnberry Resort
Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - 11th green
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Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - 11th green
The new, par-3 11th hole on the Ailsa golf course at Trump Turnberry Resort now resides along the rocky Ayrshire coastline. David Cannon, Courtesy of Trump Turnberry Resort
Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - 12th green
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Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - 12th green
A World War II memorial sits on a dune above the 12th green on the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry Resort in Scotland. David Cannon, Courtesy of Trump Turnberry Resort
Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - 4th tee
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Trump Turnberry Resort - Ailsa golf course - 4th tee
A beachscape is very much in play on the par-3 fourth hole on the Ailsa golf Course at Trump Turnberry Resort. David Cannon, Courtesy of Trump Turnberry Resort
22 Images

Renovated Ailsa golf course at Trump Turnberry Resort in Ayrshire, Scotland: Better than ever

AYRSHIRE, Scotland -- Keep politics out of your decision whether or not to play the Ailsa Course at Trump Turnberry Resort.

Play it simply for your love of the game. One of the world's great links has emerged from an eight-month renovation better than ever.

Donald Trump's decision to hire Martin Ebert to redesign Turnberry has rejuvenated the iconic links along the Ayrshire coast. The Ailsa Course, which reopened June 1, is now ready to host The Open Championship for a fifth time, should the R&A ever decide to do business with the resort's controversial American owner.

Ebert altered every hole in one way or another, sometimes restoring original bunkers lost to time or at the most extreme, creating new holes altogether within the layout's original footprint. The 7,489-yard course went from having two par 5s and four par 3s, to four par 5s and five par 3s with par adding up to 71 for everyday play. He added length on every hole except the new, par-3 sixth hole and the re-positioned, par-4 17th hole.

The most inspiring changes brought the eight-hole stretch from no. 4-no. 11 more in harmony with the seaside cliffs that make Turnberry so special. The new green on the par-3 fourth hole has been pushed toward the coastline to play over a beachscape. The relocated fifth green, the end of a par 5, sits in a valley behind the old one, creating a natural amphitheater for spectators.

A new spectacular walking trail above the beach reveals a short-but-tough par 3 at no. 6, which is difficult in the winds off the water. The seventh hole has been extended into a par 5 with a diagonal fairway through the dunes, forcing players to choose a proper line off the tee to carry the trouble.

The new 248-yard, par-3 ninth hole, once a par 4, sits in the shadow of the Turnberry Lighthouse, which has been converted into a halfway house and luxury two-bedroom suite. The dramatic, new 10th hole -- stretched into a 565-yard par 5 -- traces the coastline to a green near the old 11th tees. The 11th hole, a new 215-yard par 3, is perhaps the biggest improvement. The old par 3 aimed inland, but the new one provides one more shot along land's end.

Trump has added signature looks found at his other clubs near the upgraded clubhouse -- a mammoth Scottish flag and a fountain out front. Love them or hate them, they won't interfere with the inspiring views once you're out on the golf course.

Before you tee off, look offshore to the rocky Ailsa Craig. If you can see it, congrats are in order: You'll be treated to good weather on one of the most revered links golf courses in Scotland.

Jason Scott Deegan has reviewed and photographed more than 1,100 courses and written about golf destinations in 25 countries for some of the industry's biggest publications. His work has been honored by the Golf Writer's Association of America and the Michigan Press Association. Follow him on Instagram at @jasondeegangolfpass and Twitter at @WorldGolfer.
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Renovated Ailsa golf course at Trump Turnberry Resort in Ayrshire, Scotland: Better than ever