‘Golf Force One': The Armoured Buggy That Stole The Show During Donald Trump's Scotland Visit
While Donald Trump is usually driven in the presidential limo known as 'The Beast', the buggy at Turnberry offered a scaled-down version built for the golf course
A heavily fortified black buggy stole the spotlight as US President Donald Trump played golf over the weekend at his Turnberry resort in South Ayrshire, Scotland. Nicknamed 'Golf Force One" by media outlets, the vehicle moved closely behind Trump's white golf cart through the course, drawing attention for its sheer bulk, tinted windows and military-grade silhouette.
The vehicle's deployment came nearly 10 months after Trump survived two assassination attempts and amid a four-day UK visit marked by intense protests, tight security and a bomb scare.
A Buggy Like No Other
The vehicle trailing Trump was identified by experts as a modified Polaris Ranger XP, a lightweight off-road vehicle commonly used in the UK by rural police, mountain rescue and rescue teams. However, the version seen at Turnberry appeared to be heavily customised.
According to reports, the buggy was likely meant to serve as a rapid evacuation option should a threat arise on the open course. Despite its reinforced structure, it was designed to remain light enough to avoid damaging the greens.
Security analysts cited in The Telegraph pointed out that the black band across the front windscreen, along with reinforced side and rear panels, suggested the buggy had been armoured extensively. One of the experts said the modifications would typically include replacing internal components like the floor and roof with hidden armour plating, while maintaining the vehicle's outward appearance.
The heavily tinted windows were also interpreted as signs of thick, bullet-resistant transparent armour, the darker the tint, the more protection likely built into the glass.
No Confirmation From Secret Service
The United States Secret Service refused to confirm whether the armoured buggy was officially part of its protective operations. Responding to queries from The Telegraph, the agency said it uses a range of tools and methods to safeguard protectees but does not disclose specifics for security reasons.
Why Was It Deployed?
The appearance of the armoured vehicle follows two assassination attempts on Donald Trump in 2024, both during public engagements.
In July 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a rooftop sniper, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, opened fire with an AR-style rifle. One bullet grazed Trump's ear, while another killed former firefighter Corey Comperatore and seriously injured another attendee. The shooter was taken down by a counter-sniper team.
Just two months later, in September, a man identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh was spotted with an SKS-style rifle at Trump's West Palm Beach golf club. Routh was allegedly 300-500 yards away from Trump when the Secret Service agent spotted his rifle in the tree line, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. Agents fired at him before he fled in a vehicle and was later apprehended about 40 miles from the course. He has pleaded not guilty to federal charges.
Lockdown At Turnberry
Security at Turnberry during Trump's visit was among the most intense seen in recent years. The Telegraph reported that army trucks, road checkpoints and snipers were deployed across the area. According to The Independent, 1,500 officers, roughly a third of Police Scotland's active force, were pulled from their regular duties for the operation.
Protests And A Bomb Threat
The trip was also marred by protests and a security scare. Demonstrators gathered in Edinburgh and other cities to voice opposition to Trump's views on climate change and the Gaza conflict.
Meanwhile, a Glasgow-bound flight was forced to make an emergency landing after a passenger claimed he had a bomb and wanted to 'send a message" to the president.
Drawing Parallels With 'The Beast'
While Trump is usually driven in the presidential limousine known as 'The Beast" — a $1.5 million Cadillac fortified against bullets, blasts and chemical attacks — the Turnberry buggy seems to serve a similar function scaled down for outdoor mobility.
Experts told The Telegraph that such vehicles are tailored to specific threat levels. Depending on the nature of risk, from blunt force weapons to high-calibre sniper rifles, vehicles are customised with corresponding grades of armour and materials like laminated glass or plexiglass.
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July 28, 2025, 11:27 IST
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