What golfers don't see behind the scenes at Carnoustie

Carnoustie Golf Links is lifting the lid on the skill, technology and hard work required to maintain one of Scotland's most famous golfing venues

Greenkeeping work underway on the links at Carnoustie <i>(Image: Carnoustie Golf Links/YouTube)</i>

(Image: Carnoustie Golf Links/YouTube)

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There are plenty of people who can tell you how to play Carnoustie, but far fewer could explain what it actually takes to keep it playable.

Carnoustie Golf Links has launched a new video series which turns the attention away from the golfers and towards the people responsible for maintaining one of Scotland’s most famous golfing venues.

Business of Golf logo (Image: Damian Shields)

The Greenkeepers goes behind the scenes with the greenkeeping team to examine the year-round work involved in maintaining the links, from turf management and water use to biodiversity, machinery and course preparation.

The series will also explore how modern sustainable practices are being combined with generations of traditional greenkeeping knowledge, while highlighting the training and career opportunities available within the profession.

“When people come to Carnoustie, they see the finished product – the links, the conditions and the challenge that makes it 'golf’s greatest test'. What they don’t always see is the incredible amount of knowledge, skill and hard work that goes into maintaining it every single day," said Gill Rourke Andrews, greenkeeping operations lead at Carnoustie Golf Links.

“The Greenkeepers gives us an opportunity to introduce the people behind that work and show how we are combining traditional greenkeeping expertise with sustainable practices and new approaches.

“Just as importantly, we want to demonstrate that greenkeeping is a skilled and rewarding career, and that investing in the next generation is fundamental to the future of Carnoustie."

Old Course Hotel reports softer North America demand

The Old Course Hotel, St AndrewsThe Old Course Hotel saw revenue edge lower and losses widen during 2025 as directors cited softer demand from North American visitors and the impact of major refurbishment works (Image: Tony Marshall)

One of Scottish golf tourism’s flagship properties has revealed signs of weakening demand from North America for the first time since the Covid pandemic.

Accounts covering the 2025 financial year also showed pre-tax losses increased between 2024 and 2025, raising questions about the outlook for the luxury St Andrews market and the spending power of the overseas golfers on which it heavily relies.

The figures also offer some context for The Old Course Limited’s decision to hand the former Duke’s golf course to St Andrews Links Trust on a long-term lease, as the American-owned hotel and spa operator concentrates resources on its core luxury accommodation business.

Bacon rolls by drone? The US golf start-up targeting Scotland's fairways

Swoop says Scotland is central to its UK expansion plans as the golf technology company develops systems designed to connect golfers with clubs through on-course ordering, messaging and hospitality servicesSwoop says Scotland is central to its UK expansion plans as the golf technology company develops systems designed to connect golfers with clubs through on-course ordering, messaging and hospitality services (Image: Swoop)

US golf technology firm Swoop is preparing to enter Scotland, promising to help clubs communicate more effectively with golfers, generate additional hospitality revenue, and eventually even explore on-course drone deliveries. Co-founder Ryan Donovan explains the opportunities the company sees in Scotland and how the concept could work beyond the country's best-known resorts.