New Sustainable Golf Management Degree to launch at Elmwood Campus
SRUC is set to introduce a new degree in Sustainable Golf Management at its Elmwood Campus in Fife, marking a significant step forward in the evolution of golf education.
Building on Elmwood’s established reputation within the golf sector, the new programme has been developed to address the changing environment, as well as the social and economic landscape facing the global game. It will equip students with the knowledge and skills required to manage golf courses and facilities in a sustainable, responsible and commercially viable way.
Delivered part-time through online learning by experienced on-campus lecturers, the degree enables those already working in the industry, as well as those seeking to retrain, to study flexibly.
The launch of the degree represents an important milestone for Elmwood Campus, introducing its first full undergraduate programme while supporting wider ambitions for growth, skills development and innovation in the region.
Sustainable turf and land management, water conservation, biodiversity enhancement and carbon reduction will all form part of the world’s first degree in Sustainable Golf Management.
There are opportunities throughout the programme to gain a Certificate or Diploma of Higher Education in Sustainable Golf Management before progressing to full degree level.
A key feature of the programme is the choice of two specialist pathways: Golf Course Management or Golf Development. The Golf Course Management pathway builds on SRUC’s long-running provision in greenkeeping and replaces existing HNC/D Golf Course Management.
The Golf Development pathway focuses on increasing participation in the sport, widening access and strengthening links between golf clubs and their communities.
Senior Lecturer Graeme McDowall said: “Golf has a powerful opportunity not only to lead in sustainability, but also to evolve and expand its reach. This programme brings those ambitions together, helping professionals care for the land while also growing the game in a meaningful and sustainable way.”
Head of the School of Natural and Social Sciences, Andrew Barnes said: “Our School combines expertise across disciplines to tackle global challenges such as climate change, sustainability and community resilience. equipping students to solve real-world problems and drive meaningful change. This approach is reflected in the new Sustainable Golf Management degree – the first degree programme delivered at Elmwood campus – designed to address the environmental, social and economic demands of the modern game.
“Delivered part-time through flexible online learning, it enables both industry professionals and career changers to develop the skills to manage golf facilities in a sustainable and commercially viable way, preparing graduates to lead change and build impactful careers worldwide.”
By integrating environmental stewardship with sport development, the programme responds to increasing demand for golf to become both more sustainable and more accessible to diverse audiences.
Advanced entry will be available for applicants who already hold relevant qualifications such as an HNC/D in Golf Course Management or Professional Golf, while prior experience will also be considered on an individual basis.
Applications are now open, with the first intake of students due to begin in August 2026. For more information visit the BSc (Hons) Sustainable Golf Management course page.
Posted by SRUC on 09/06/2026
