Earlier this month I was engaged to inspect the trees on Helensburgh Golf Course. One idyllic day walking the tree-lined fairways looking for potential defects and other failure-prone characteristics, and a second (somewhat less idyllic) day surveying the trees in a heathland to the north of the golf course. Compared to the well-manicured fairways of the previous day, the waist-high heather, blaeberry and birch on the heathland was tough going; not to mention being ravaged by midges and relentless tabanids. The joys of tree surveying on the west coast of Scotland in July!

As a landholder, the golf course – whether that be the committee, greens convenor or course manager – has a Duty of Care and must take reasonable steps to maintain public safety. Under that Duty of Care, the individual or collective responsible for the trees must take reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions that could reasonably be foreseen and/or that would likely cause harm. A regular tree inspection programme is the minimum required to discharge that Duty of Care.

If you’re managing trees on a golf course that require inspection, please reach out to me as Callophrys Tree Consultancy can assist you. Callophrys Tree Consultancy will be able to work with you to develop an appropriate tree management and inspection programme that will enable you to discharge your Duty of Care.

A 16-year-old Stuart playing Marine Drive Golf Course, Vancouver.