Fans split on Mike Trout's Tiger Woods-designed golf course as '$350m' club opens in his blue-collar hometown

Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout has opened a new golf course in his New Jersey hometown, but don’t expect the locals to get any tee times.

As many New Jersey residents and golfers are now learning, Trout National, as the club is known, is an ultra-exclusive club catering to the sport’s uberwealthy.

‘Trout National isn’t just a course—it’s a statement,’ read the online description of the course, which was created by Tiger Woods’ firm, TGR Design. ‘A world-class destination club delivering a curated experience where bold design, elite play, and five-star accommodations converge in an unforgettable setting. From championship-level golf to luxurious overnight stays, every detail is crafted for members who demand the best. 

‘This is where sport meets luxury,’ the passage concluded. ‘This is Trout National.’

Membership is by invitation only, according to the club website. As for the cost of joining Trout National, that figure has yet to be released to the public, although it is believed to be well over six figures. The Daily Mail has sought clarification from a club spokesperson.

But regardless of whether members pay $100,000 or $999,999 annually, locals in Millville and Vineland, New Jersey are unlikely to join. As long-time sports business reporter and cllct Media owner Darren Rovell remarked online, Trout is betting that ‘high net worth (sic) golfers will get on a private jet and fly anywhere to play – even to Vineland, NJ.’

The exclusive clubhouse at Trout National is pictured in Vineland, New Jersey

Mike Trout is an 11-time American League All-Star and one of the highest-paid MLB players

Although the estimated construction budget was reported to be over $100 million, Rovell put that figure at $350 million, which is considerable, even for a slugger who has earned $338 million over his 14-year MLB career. 

Naturally, Trout is facing some backlash online.

‘So Mike,’ one critic wrote on X, ‘you created the most exclusive and expensive (invite only and $100k+) golf course in the area for your hometown that is low to middle class on average.’

The critic added that his fellow New Jersey natives could only hope to work at the club but never play it.

‘I wish I was wrong,’ they added.

‘What’s the point of building a golf course that no one can play?’ another asked. ‘Only your friends can play… [I] hope it fails.’

‘Should have made it public you f***in overrated scumbag,’ a more profane critic followed.

Amateur golfers in Cumberland County won’t need to be concerned with Trout’s sand traps

Some congratulated Trout on his ‘beautiful’ new course, but many others fumed over the optics of the elite club.

‘Everyone in [South Jersey] was excited about the course until found out it’s private and invitation only,’ one critic explained. ‘Talk about forgetting your roots.’

Another predicted that ‘us common folk’ will ‘never be allowed to play’ at Trout National.

The median household income in Cumberland County, where the course sits on 280 acres, is around $67,000 according to census data. Roughly 14 percent of residents in the county live below the poverty line.

Meanwhile, Trout is having a resurgent season in Anaheim. Although his batting average is just .239, which is well below his career mark of .293, his on-base percentage (.417) and slugging percentage (.551) are both dramatic improvements on his 2025 marks.

Meanwhile the Angels are 12-14 and sit in third place in the AL West.