Perceived accessibility on golf courses - Perspectives from the golf federation

This pilot study addresses the effect of golf course establishments on public accessibility to recreational areas. There has been debate over whether golf courses represent a limitation to public access to green spaces and thereby the possibility for outdoor recreation. In Scandinavia, freedom to roam is an important legislation providing public access to the countryside. However, freedom to roam is not without limitations, and common rights does not necessarily lead to frequent use of accessible areas. In this study we assess whether golf course establishment prevent or provide accessibility to recreational areas in practice. Through interviews with green keepers and representatives from the golf federations in four Scandinavian countries we found that the effects of golf course establishment on accessibility vary between golf courses. In areas with limitations to freedom to roam and infrequent recreational use prior to the golf course establishment, the use can actually increase due to introduction of inviting elements such as information signs, paths and public resting areas. (C) 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.