Golf-related tourism was given the 'big push' by St Andrews resident Henry McLeish, when he was Minister for Tourism and Life Long Learning. McLeish continued to talk a lot about golf when he became First Minister. Jack McConnell seems to share the same enthusiasm for the game. On the back of some favourable policy, golf-related development has increased significantly in recent years. Concerns are being raised. We will try to keep tabs on the developing debate by collecting news concerning :-

• general golf-related issues
  
  
  • golf-related concerns - national - including the latest golf tourism initiative
  • golf-related concerns - beyond our shores

• specific golf-related development issues
  
  
  • effects on local infrastructure - traffic, housing, schools, services
  • effects on local communities - employment, house prices, displacement, way of life
  • effects on local economy - existing tourism, existing and future creative buisinesses
  • irreversible loss of agricultural land - to courses and to built elements
  • use of 'golf' as a means to build housing
  • development of exclusive golf resorts in green belts
  • exclusive nature of some resorts
  • questionable viability of some developments
  • effectiveness of guest management plans
  • enforceability of legal planning agreements

• specific golf course issues
  
  
  • loss of access to land, the re-routing of rights of way
  • safety - stray golf shots - injuries, damage, liability, compensation
  • aggressive use of pesticides on modern 'manicured' courses
  • suitability of methods used to combat 'inevitable' erosion
  • haphazard approach to land drainage

Those concerned about 'golf-related development issues' (access, safety, spraying, traffic, drainage, pay-as-you-play etc), may wish to take a look at Golf Issues for coverage of issues raised so far.