Integrated action – Golf course management

Abstract

This chapter sets out to consider the relationship between recreational golf and the conservation values of sand dunes. The importance of this lies in the origins of golf, on sand dunes (links) in Scotland. Golf is and continues to be a major use of sand dunes, especially in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It has expanded into other European countries, North America and around the world. Reconciling golfing with nature conservation objectives is an important issue. It considers the merits and problems associated with this recreational activity by reference to specific case studies in the United Kingdom. These include two new links courses in Scotland (Machrihanish Dunes and Foveran Links) which illustrate very different approaches to dune conservation in modern times.