Scottish golf courses are renowned the world over for their scenic beauty and stunning landscapes, with many found in areas designated as National Scenic Areas, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Areas of Great Landscape Value or Designed Landscapes.
Golf courses interact with the aesthetic qualities of their surroundings and on the character of their local landscapes, whether they are links courses that have evolved from the original topography and vegetation, those within historic parkland estate landscapes, to the more recent golf courses with greater earth-shifting and design.
Landscape character and structure including vegetation types and cover, colours and textures, views and vistas to and from the surrounding countryside and coastlines, should all be taken into consideration in course design and management to make the most of the golf course landscape characteristics ultimately benefiting the golfing experience.
Activities clubs could undertake could include implementing planting programmes of locally occurring native species utilising locally indigenous species appropriate for the landscape context of the site and the climate while contouring cutting lines on mown areas to blend with the landscape.
Clubs should pay attention to colours, styles and textures of materials used; e.g. for buildings, site equipment, paths/roads, advertising and other signage and furniture and take measures to avoid light pollution; e.g. low level, directed lighting around car parks and outbuildings.
Many of Scotland’s golf courses contain archaeological sites, ruins, monuments and other heritage features that need to be preserved, enhanced and appreciated for the variety and character they give to each course. These range from ridge and furrow farmland, prehistoric settlements and henge, to Iron Age forts and medieval castles, to listed buildings and WWII anti-aircraft batteries.
Archaeological sites and buildings can be designated (registered and protected) and undesignated (known about and should be protected where possible). For advice on management of designated sites and buildings golf club managers should seek advice from Historic Scotland. For matters relating to undesignated sites the first port of call should be the local authority planning department and/or archaeologist.
In addition clubs can get further advice from Scottish Natural Heritage and specialist consultants and institutes linked here to find out more about their share of the nation’s heritage.
These pages contain downloadable information and links about management of golf courses taking landscape and heritage issues into consideration. Golf clubs that reach a high level in this area may be eligible for the Scottish Golf Environment Certificate for Landscape & Heritage.