Carnoustie is a site of ecological significance and Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee (CGLMC) realise the importance of maintaining our environment, not only for now but also for the future. CGLMC continually ensures and promotes best environmental management and conservation practices. Find out more below.
The Links Nature Trail Map
As home to Golfs Greatest Test, Carnoustie’s challenging reputation precedes it, however, did you know that it’s also got a softer side? The courses and estate at Carnoustie are filled with an abundance of flora and fauna which call the Links home. We welcome you to enjoy the golf courses and surrounding areas. Please help us protect our Links by following The Scottish Outdoor Access Code (see below). Please be aware of ground nesting birds, deer in wooded areas, ducks and swans in the lake and ponds as well as of an array of wildflowers which provides food for many bees and butterflies. We are dedicated to contributing to the natural environment of our courses and want to make sure that we both protect what we already have and enhance the eco-system for the future – doing the right thing for our local community and the natural habitats that surround us.
Health, Wellbeing and Sustainability at Carnoustie
The team at Carnoustie are working hard to reach the ambition of becoming a carbon net-zero organisation and a global leader in sustainability for the golf industry. In 2018, Carnoustie Golf Links was awarded Environmental Golf Course of the Year by STRI Ecology and Environment, it is accredited with the GEO Foundation Certificate and was also awarded the very first Climate Action Award at the IAGTO Awards in 2021. As an organisation with a strong link to the local community as well as being a global platform, it understands the importance of leading by example. Carnoustie Golf Links wants to establish sustainability practices that inspire others.
This document, will unveil Carnoustie Golf Links’ commitment to sustainability, not just for the environment, but for its communities, teams and business. Explore how Carnoustie Golf Links integrates eco-friendly practices with a vision for long-term success, fostering opportunities for their team and the region they call home. From energy-efficient operations to community benefits, Carnoustie strives for a holistic approach to sustainability.
Carnoustie’s First BioBlitz!
Carnoustie Golf Links were delighted to host their first ever Bioblitz, supported by The R&A Foundation, where enthusiastic nature lovers joined us to record the wildlife on the Carnoustie Golf Links estate!
Taking place on Thursday 27th June and Friday 28th June 2024, we had a number of different programmes to take part in.
This 24 hour event aimed to record as much wildlife as possible during the timeframe, as well as giving people the chance to meet naturalists and learn about the wildlife on the links!
Read the 2024 BioBlitz Review here:
Top Tip:
How to Geotag your Photos for iNaturalist
Top Tip:
How to Make an Observation on iNaturalist using the iNaturalist Mobile App
The Nature of the Links
Carnoustie’s challenging reputation precedes it, however, did you know that it’s also got a softer side? The courses and estate at Carnoustie are filled with an abundance of flora and fauna which call the Links home.
We are dedicated to contributing to the natural environment of our courses and want to make sure that we both protect what we already have and enhance the eco-system for the future – doing the right thing for our local community and the natural habitats that surround us.
Did you know that we have carried out a wealth of environmental projects over the years? Some highlights include:
🐝 Operation Pollinator – where wildflower seeds were sown throughout the courses
🦋 Kidney vetch planting – to help encourage more Small Blue Butterflies to the area
☝️ Both carried out with help from children from the local primary schools
🌸 Sea Peas have been planted in conjunction with Dundee Botanic Gardens
🌾 Managed turf areas have been cut down to increase habitat corridors
🌱Installing an Eco Green Composter
📖 Publishing an Environmental guide with the support of The R&A
We’ve also been awarded:
🏆 STRI Environmental Golf Course of the Year
🏆 Operation Pollinator Winner
🏆 Biodiversity Project Award Winner
🏆 IAGTO Climate Action Award
✔️GEO Certification
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code is designed to keep everyone safe whilst enjoying the outdoors. We’ve highlighted some of the code that you may find useful when enjoying your time on the Links.
You can exercise access rights to cross over a golf course but in doing so, you must keep off greens at all times. Please do not interfere with any golf games or damage the playing surfaces. Golf courses are intensively used and managed, and there can be hazards such as ‘blind shots’.
In exercising access rights you must:
- allow players to play their shot before crossing a fairway
- be still when close to a golfer about to play
- follow paths where they exist
- keep your dog on a short lead
To avoid damaging the playing surface, cyclists and horse-riders need to keep to paths at all times and not gain access to any other part of a golf course.
When fertilisers or pesticides have been used, the duration of any hazard depends on the material used but should not normally extend more than a few days. Golf course managers can ask you to avoid using particular routes at these times. Following such advice can greatly help to minimise risks to safety.
The golf course is also a habitat for birds and wildlife. Be aware of ground nesting birds, deer in wooded areas and ducks, swans, etc. on the ponds.
Dog Owners
Please keep to the paths around the golf courses. Dogs may be off lead on the paths but they must be kept under close control at all times. Dogs must be kept on a lead on the fairways.
All dogs should be on a lead during the bird nesting season (March – July).
There are 24 dog waste bins around the golf course for your benefit. Please use them. Dog waste must not be deposited in any other bin around the golf course.
Commercial Dog Walkers are requested to have no more than 6 dogs, all on leads at any one time.
Golfers
If you see someone who appears to not be picking up after their dog, please refer them to the Rangers from whom they can access free dog waste bags from.
Alternatively contact Access line with a full description of the owner, their dog, date, time and location of the offence.
Access Line Details
Phone: 08452 777 778