BOSSES of some of Scotland's top links golf clubs have been warned they will have to move - or face seeing their courses sink into the sea.
Rising sea levels and coastal erosion caused by global warming are threatening courses such as Nairn, Elie, Royal Aberdeen and Tain.
Alan Brampton, of golf course consultants HR Wallingford, warned: "In 50 years a substantial number of Scotland's golf courses will be nine holes or 12 holes if they do not move to more landward positions."
Two courses on the west coast - Royal Troon and Western Gailes - face problems if forced to move as they have a rail line on their landward side.
And the famous Royal Dornoch club last year spent £300,000 on defences that might last up to 50 years.
But Dornoch officials admit if there was a devastating storm, the defences - and the cash - could be washed away.