Should dogs be allowed on golf courses? While canine lovers often enjoy bringing their dogs with them to the course, many golfers despise them roaming around while teeing up for a peaceful round.
It’s a contested topic within clubs themselves, too. There are many clubs that are dog friendly golf courses – given they are well-behaved, on a lead, and don’t interfere with competitions. But some clubs take the opposite stance, outright banning dogs for the benefit of others and the course itself.
Football icon Gareth Bale might have two pence to throw in the debate after his ball was stolen by a loose dog at the 2024 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship while playing at Carnoustie in the second round.
The beauty of Scottish golf courses is that members of the public feel at home out on the links, and so do the dogs. Pets are welcome at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
We thought we’d reignite the debate, and try and settle this once and for all!
ALSO: Golf rules: Dog takes ball but what happens next? READ HERE
Dog friendly golf courses: Should your pooch be able to walk the fairways?
How is it socially acceptable to inflict your dog on other people?
I don’t see what business dogs have on a course, writes Dan Murphy.
We all know that parents can be terrible for presuming everyone is as infatuated with their children as they are. Dog owners are even worse in my experience.
Personally, I find dogs to be smelly, licky, panty, barky, hairy and intrusive creatures who fail to respect social boundaries. And the bigger they are the less I like them. Give me an apathetic cat any day of the week.
Either way, I don’t really see what business dogs have on a golf course. How is it socially acceptable to inflict your dog on other people? No wonder the dogs themselves don’t know how to behave. They are literally rewarded for licking and climbing up humans.
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If you must bring your dog to the links, then I guess I can live with it as long as you can guarantee it won’t come anywhere near me and you don’t expect me to coo in wonder every time it chases after a rabbit or sits obediently next to its master’s trolley.
I can think of many golfers with worse etiquette than my dog!
Let the dogs out, writes Hannah Holden.
Golfing with dogs is as ancient as the sport, and I think more clubs need to get on board. If I’m going to a walk a course for four hours, it makes no sense that I can’t take my dog with me. Just think how happy my pooch will be at the prospect of chasing a ball for 18 holes.
Spending time with my dog is one of my favourite pastimes, so combining this with a round of golf is the perfect scenario.
I think it could help my fellow golfers too. Our furry friends are notorious for spreading happiness wherever they go. And, seeing the state some golfers get in after a bad shot, a furry friend to calm them down would undoubtedly be a good thing.
Clearly, dogs need to be reasonably well trained or constantly stay on a lead, and owners need to be sensible and know not to bring them if they misbehave too much. But I can think of many golfers with worse etiquette than my dog!
As long as it doesn’t interfere with anyone else’s game, let the dogs out!
Now have your say
What do you think of the Gareth Bale dog clip? Should all clubs be dog friendly golf courses? Should dogs even be allowed on golf courses? Let us know in the comments, or drop us a comment on X.
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