Golf Jocks In Rambler Rage Rumblings

Scottish golf courses are asking the Scottish Parliament to restrict the rights of walkers to wander across their land.

Since the Land Reform Act became law in 2003, walkers have been able to walk pretty much at will across golf courses provided they act responsibly and do not interrupt games or walk across greens.

Now the Scottish Golf Union is pressing for walkers to be restricted to recognised paths and allowed to access courses only at specified points. They say that a simple amendment to the act would achieve this and are meeting with the newly formed Scottish Parliament Cross Party Golf Group (SPCPGG) to discuss the issue.

In a BBC news article, the chief executive of the SGU says that the matter is a health and safety issue with ramblers facing serious injury if they are struck by a ball.

However Helen Todd of the Ramblers' Association says that any incidents are isolated and don't reflect a 'disturbance of golf play'. The RA sees no need to alter the legislation, instead they suggest courses should work with local authorities to deal with 'isolated incidents with individuals who are not acting responsibly'.

In England and Wales, access rights are more restrictive, even under the Right To Roam meaning that walkers are confined to public rights of way when crossing golf courses.

Our sister site, GOLFmagic, remains quiet on the issue, probably too busy sinking pints in the members' bar :-)