Golf Force One: Inside Trump’s New Bulletproof Golf Cart “The Beast”
The heavily armored “Golf Force One” follows President Trump during his round at Trump Turnberry in Scotland
In the rolling hills of Scotland’s Trump Turnberry golf course, a new addition to President Donald Trump’s security detail has made its dramatic debut. Dubbed “Golf Force One” by media outlets worldwide, this heavily armored golf cart represents the latest evolution in presidential protection, emerging just ten months after Trump survived a harrowing assassination attempt while enjoying his favorite pastime.
The imposing black vehicle, which appears to be a modified Polaris Ranger XP, cuts a stark contrast against the pristine green fairways of the historic Scottish course. While Trump himself cruises the links in a traditional white golf cart, this fortress-on-wheels shadows his every move, a constant reminder of the heightened security threats facing the 47th President of the United States.
A Response to Real Threats
The deployment of Golf Force One comes in direct response to two serious assassination attempts that rocked the nation in 2024. The most relevant incident occurred on September 15, when 58-year-old Ryan Routh positioned himself in heavy brush approximately 400 yards from Trump at the Trump International Golf Club in Florida. Armed with an SKS-style rifle, Routh had a clear line of sight to the president as he walked along the fifth hole. Only the vigilance of Secret Service agents conducting a security sweep prevented what could have been a national tragedy.
The incident sent shockwaves through the Secret Service, prompting an immediate reassessment of golf course security protocols. Two months earlier, Trump had narrowly escaped death at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire with an AR-style rifle from a nearby rooftop, nicking the president’s ear and killing former firefighter Corey Comperatore.
Security experts note the distinctive black banding around the windscreen and reinforced panels that mark Golf Force One as heavily armored
Engineering a Mobile Fortress
Security experts who have examined photographs of Golf Force One are unanimous in their assessment: this is no ordinary golf cart. Gary Relf, director of Armoured Car Services, told The Telegraph that the vehicle is “100% armored,” pointing to several telltale signs that reveal its true nature.
“The windscreen is a giveaway, as are the side panels, doors, and the large panel at the rear above the load tray,” Relf explained. The distinctive black banding around the windscreen, a hallmark of bulletproof glass installation, immediately caught the attention of armoring specialists. The tinted windows, which appear significantly darker than standard golf cart glass, likely indicate the presence of transparent armor plating.
The vehicle’s bulky silhouette and reinforced door panels suggest that nearly every component has been replaced with armored alternatives. Companies specializing in vehicle armoring typically remove and discreetly replace interior elements with steel or ceramic plating, maintaining the vehicle’s operational capability while providing protection against small arms fire and explosive devices.
Despite its fortress-like construction, Golf Force One has been engineered with golf course preservation in mind. The modifications are designed to keep the vehicle secure while remaining lightweight enough to avoid damaging the pristine grass surfaces that are the pride of courses like Turnberry.
The Beast’s Little Brother
Golf Force One draws inevitable comparisons to Trump’s official presidential limousine, known simply as “The Beast.” The $1.5 million Cadillac represents the pinnacle of automotive protection, featuring bulletproof glass, blast-resistant armor plating, and hermetic sealing against chemical attacks. The presidential limo can reportedly withstand direct hits from rocket-propelled grenades and includes defensive countermeasures that remain classified.
While Golf Force One operates on a smaller scale, it appears to incorporate many of the same protective principles. The vehicle’s defensive orientation, rather than offensive capabilities, aligns with Secret Service protocols that prioritize evacuation and protection over engagement. The cart’s all-wheel-drive capability and twin-cylinder dual overhead cam engine, which can reach speeds up to 65 mph, provide the mobility necessary for rapid extraction from potential threat scenarios.
Operational Security and Secrecy
The Secret Service has maintained strict operational security regarding Golf Force One’s specifications and capabilities. When contacted by media outlets, agency spokespeople declined to confirm or deny the vehicle’s armored status, stating that they do not discuss “specific means and methods used to conduct protective operations.”
This wall of silence is standard practice for the Secret Service, which guards details about presidential protection with the same intensity they guard the president himself. The agency’s reluctance to discuss Golf Force One’s capabilities extends to its cost, leaving taxpayers in the dark about the price tag for this latest addition to Trump’s security apparatus.
However, the vehicle’s deployment represents a significant shift in presidential golf security. Traditionally, Secret Service agents have positioned themselves around golf courses. They often stand several holes ahead or behind the president. Golf Force One allows for immediate proximity protection while maintaining the mobility necessary to respond to emerging threats.
A New Era of Presidential Protection
The emergence of Golf Force One reflects the evolving nature of threats facing American presidents in the 21st century. Golf courses have unique security challenges. Unlike official state functions, they have open spaces, many access points, and long perimeters.
The vehicle’s first appearance at Trump Turnberry had a stunning coastal view and hills. This made it a great place to test this new security tool. As Trump played his rounds against the backdrop of the Irish Sea, Golf Force One maintained its vigilant watch, a black sentinel ensuring that America’s commander-in-chief could pursue his passion without compromising his safety.
The armored golf cart represents more than just another piece of security equipment; it symbolizes the unfortunate reality that even leisure activities for the President of the United States must now be conducted under the shadow of potential violence. Golf Force One stands as a testament to the Secret Service’s adaptability and their unwavering commitment to presidential protection, regardless of the setting or circumstances.
As Trump continues his presidency, Golf Force One will likely become a familiar sight on golf courses around the world, a rolling reminder that the price of leadership in America includes the constant presence of those dedicated to ensuring that leadership endures.Â
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