WALKERS with poor etiquette are putting golfers off their stroke thanks to a new law allowing them access to courses, MSPs were told yesterday.

The Scottish Golf Union complained of walkers interfering with play and ignoring requests to leave the fairway, or allowing their dogs to foul the course without cleaning up.

Hamish Grey, union chief executive, warned that pedestrians were at risk of being killed or injured by a stray ball - and that clubs and players feared being sued as a result.

The complaints were put before the newly-formed Scottish Parliament Cross Party Golf Group (SPCPGG) by club officials from across the country during a meeting at Prestwick Golf Club to discuss the impact of the act.

The introduction of the Land Reform Act in 2003 gives ramblers access to courses, providing they do not interrupt games and stay off the greens.

Mr Grey said: "The act has been a cause of tension between golfers and walkers. At the moment the right to roam means you can go from A to B across the course as long as you do so responsibly.

"Since the act was implemented there has been an increased expectation from the public of an unfettered right to roam. We are not asking for people to be stopped from walking but to keep it to defined paths and rights-ofway, for the safety of walkers and golfers and to minimise the chances of someone being seriously hurt or killed.

"We want changes to the legislation - there may be other ways but the best apparent way is to allow access on defined paths."

Alasdair Morrison, Western Isles Labour MSP, said after the meeting that he did not wish to amend the law: "We're having to grapple with the great misconception that people have an unfettered right to walk anywhere in the countryside.

"This is having a major impact on golf courses. A golf course is a dangerous place to be at the wrong time at the wrong place. The experience of these clubs is that people have not understood what the legislation means."

The MSP is to seek talks on the issue with Rhona Brankin, deputy environment minister.

Dave Morris, director of the Ramblers'Association in Scotland, dismissed the golfers' approach to the issues: "If there are problems relating to land access they should bring it to the attention of the local authority, and, if they are not satisfied, the local access forum. We have not had a single complaint from an individual golf club.

"We think the whole thing is being driven by the American style of golf courses coming in which are severely restricted."

Among his examples were the 500-acre Archerfield project near Dirleton - too near the coast, say ramblers, and now the subject of a court case.

Fife Council was criticised for approving developments such as Kingsbarns with "too many" holes running parallel to the beach. Planning officials were too keen to bring in the American money - not least that of billionaire tycoon Donald Trump, who is planning a development in Aberdeenshire, he said.

"We hear about one new development on the coast every month, " he said. "The act does not need amending. It means that in principle you can go walking over a golf course if you follow the code.

"We accept that people should not interfere with play, and if they are walking with dogs they should keep them under control and clean up their dirt. If there are problems about that then let us get round the table and discuss it."

How to take a walk on the wild side

The Land Reform Act came hand-in-hand with a Scottish Countryside Access Code produced by Scottish Natural Heritage.

It is 90 pages long and states what is and is not considered responsible behaviour.

It says walkers can exercise access rights only to cross golf courses, not use them for recreational purposes (you can't have just anyone turning up and playing golf). But the public can use golf courses for winter activities such as sledging or cross-country skiing.

Access rights to farm land do not extend to farmyards unless a right of way or a core path goes through, and ramblers should not interfere with fields being ploughed, sown with crops or harvested.

When canoeing, rafting, rowing and sailing avoid fishing tackle and travel quietly, particularly if close to anglers.

Grouse shooting - Change your route if asked to do so.

Deer stalking - Find out where stalking is taking place and change your route.