MEMBERS of a Wee County golf club say dog walkers are putting themselves at risk by congregating on certain parts of the course.

Everyone has a right to roam the land at Braehead Golf Club, but they must also act responsibly as set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Some people have taken to roaming into the crosshairs of golfers, with fears a stray ball could cause injury.

Issues with dog walkers are being highlighted by club secretary David Dick, who is hoping to work together with people to address concerns.

Dog walkers accessing the land, but not acting responsibly, has been a problem for some time.

However, David explained: "It's becoming more prevalent because they are now starting to congregate in the middle of certain fairways.

"It's becoming a problem for golfers, not only playing golf, but there is a concern that we are going to hit these people one day because they are in the areas where balls tend to land and they seem to be oblivious to the fact that they are in a dangerous position."

There is a safe one-mile-long path along the northern perimeter of the course, this can be accessed from Claremont and Abercromby Place at the other end.

The access code is clear that rights can only be exercised to cross over a golf course. But, in doing so, people must keep off golf greens at all times; must not interfere with any games; or damage the surface.

Where paths exist, they must be followed, but if not and crossing a fairway, players must be allowed to play their shot first.

The code also says people must be still when close to a player about to play and dogs must be kept on a short lead, which is less than 2m long.

David said: "They seem to have a free-for-all at the moment, people walking all over the course and allowing their dogs to run after balls.

"They treat it like a playing field, rather than a golf course."

David did add that there had only been "isolated incidents" of greens being damaged by dogs or mess being left behind.

The key concern remains one of safety – for all those using the course.

He continued: "The golfers have to wait until the people move; the last thing they want to do is hit a golf ball up where there's people standing.

"There's been a refusal on the part of some people to move, but there's not any recorded incidents of anybody being struck with a ball yet."

The secretary is hoping to shatter the misconception that "people can just use the course as freely as they wish".

Visit bit.ly/2FSHx4f to read about responsible behaviour, specifically on golf courses.