‘Golf Force One’ vs. ‘The Beast’, how this armoured golf cart tailing Trump compares to his $1.5 million Presidential limo

A heavily armored black golf cart, nicknamed “Golf Force One”, was spotted over the weekend following Donald Trump during a game at the Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire, Scotland. The reinforced cart followed Trump at close range, as Trump chose to cruise the course in a regular white golf cart.


Photos and videos of the jet-black vehicle, moving amid army trucks and security personnel, quickly drew attention online. The buggy’s bulk, darkened windows, and militarised design sparked comparisons to Trump’s presidential limousine, “The Beast.”


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The heightened security presence is not without cause. In September 2024, a man armed with an SKS-style rifle was spotted attempting to approach Trump during a golf match in Florida. Two months prior, a 20-year-old gunman opened fire from a rooftop during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania, grazing Trump’s ear and killing a supporter.

Since then, the US Secret Service has visibly increased its protective measures around Trump. Snipers were seen stationed on rooftops at Turnberry during this recent Scotland trip, and the presence of Golf Force One adds a new layer of mobile defense.

What is 'Golf Force One'?

According to experts cited by The Telegraph, the buggy appears to be a modified Polaris Ranger XP, a vehicle typically used by UK rural police and sometimes by US law enforcement. Though it resembles a regular golf cart in size, the vehicle is reportedly equipped with armor plating and reinforced windows.


Security specialist Gary Relf told the Telegraph that key indicators of armoring include a tinted, banded windscreen, thick side panels, and an enclosed rear section. “From those photos, that is 100% armored,” adding that its transparent armor likely makes the windows appear heavily tinted.

Despite its added protection, the vehicle is believed to be light enough to avoid damaging the golf course turf, a consideration that makes it suitable for moving discreetly across fairways without drawing mechanical or visual attention.

The vehicle likely serves a defensive function, possibly as a mobile shield or rapid escape vehicle in case of sudden threats. Using such a cart can also allow Trump’s security to remain nearby during a relatively exposed activity like golfing, where conventional armored vehicles can't follow.

How ‘Golf Force One’ compares to ‘The Beast’

While Golf Force One is built for mobility and close-range protection in outdoor environments, The Beast, the presidential limousine officially known as Cadillac One, is a fully fortified mobile command center.


The Beast weighs 8–10 tonnes and features:

• Eight-inch-thick armor plating
  
  
  
• Bulletproof, sealed doors with no keyholes
  
  
  
• An independent oxygen supply
  
  
  
• Blood bags matching the president’s blood type
  
  
  
• Run-flat tires and an armored fuel tank
  
  
  
• Encrypted communication systems for secure command during emergencies
  
  
  
• Tear gas dispensers and electrified door handles for defense
  
  

By contrast, Golf Force One is a smaller, faster, and more flexible machine, designed for open, less secure terrain like golf courses.

Its primary function appears to be defensive mobility rather than heavy protection and communication infrastructure. It allows agents to stay within close range of Trump during casual outdoor activities without compromising safety.