St Andrews Links in fresh bid to protect golf courses

St Andrews Links Trust has unveiled a raft of nature-based solutions in a bid to protect its historic golf courses from coastal erosion.

As a result of retreating defences in recent years, the body is desperate to safeguard both the golf courses and the surrounding areas.

The Links Trust, already a world leader in the fight to protect links courses from climate driven impacts, began the work in February which is scheduled for completion in early April.

And it’s not only the iconic Old Course that will reap the rewards.

More than 28,500 tonnes of sand is being used to rebuild dunes protecting the St Andrews golf courses, particularly in the wake of storm surges that have made dunes along the estuary side of the Outhead peninsula and the Jubilee course unstable.

A new 200m dune will enhance what is already the biggest and longest-running dune restoration project in Scotland.

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Meanwhile, that has also restored a recognised potential flood corridor, protecting important coastal grasslands and minimising erosion on the Jubilee course grasslands.

And as coastal grasslands are restored to maximum natural health, Hebridean sheep have been deployed to support coastal biodiversity.

Neil Coulson, chief executive of St Andrews Links Trust said: “At the Home of Golf we take our responsibility as the custodians of not just the Old Course, but our other world-famous courses extremely seriously.

“That’s why we are proactively working to ensure we find solutions for problems that links courses around the world may face in the not-too-distant future.

“We know that coastal erosion is a challenge, but from employing our team of rangers to implementing our plan and working with others to find solutions, we are leading the way in ensuring a future for links golf.”

The West Sand Rangers, introduced in 2022 and led by Ranald Strachan, manage the West Sands area and maintain, protect and enhance the natural and cultural importance of the site.

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“Our coastal management activity is about being proactive in ensuring a sustainable future for our world-famous golf courses, but also for the surrounding communities too,” said Strachan.

“When it comes to coastal erosion, it’s not just links courses at risk and that is why it is important that we are leading the way in St Andrews and supporting others to get ahead of issues which could cause serious problems in years to come.

“By taking a range of nature-based solutions and working with agencies in Scotland and beyond, we are using traditional and innovative approaches to safeguard this historic venue and prepare it for the future.”

A report from the BBC last year found that over 100 Scottish golf courses are dealing with the effects of coastal erosion.

Those on the east coast have been particularly badly impacted, as rising sea levels and an increase in storm activity continues to threaten the existence of many of the Scotland’s best venues.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.