Visby Golf Club is the first in Sweden to testvirtual fences for sheepon a golf course. The project is part of a larger sustainability initiative aimed at increasingbiodiversity, reducing the use of machinery, and promotingfaster round times—without compromising the playing experience on the course.
A Partnership for the Future
Together with LRF, RISE, Ammor Gård, Protos, Coop Sweden, the Swedish Golf Federation, and other partners, we will conduct a trial in the summer of 2025 in which grazing sheep are guided viaGPS collars and an app, entirely without physical fences. The sheep will graze in a controlled manner in selected natural areas on the course (e.g., holes 1 and 9), while keeping the landscape open in a natural way.
How It Works
Each sheep wears a collar equipped with a GPS tracker and an audible alarm. When an animal approaches the virtual boundary—which the farmer has drawn in an app—an audible alarm sounds, causing the animal to turn back. If it does not, a mild corrective impulse is administered.
This technology makes it possible to:
- Grazing in hard-to-reach areaswithout traditional fences
- Protect archaeological sites and sensitive environments
- Improve pasture rotation, which benefits both animal health and plant growth
- Reduce the use of machineryand the need for deworming agents
Benefits for Golfers
Grazing is carried out in harmony with golf operations and has several positive effects:
- Clearer ruffles =easier to find the ball
- Less brush and tall grass =shorter lap times
- Moreopen landscapes and vibrant environments
A step in our sustainability journey
We are proud to be part of this nationally recognized pilot project. It is a concrete example of how golf can be a positive force for nature, while also enhancing the playing experience for our members and guests.
The project will run fromJune 16 to August 15, 2025.
Researchers fromRISEandSLUare closely monitoring the project.
Thank you for showing consideration for the animals—and for helping us create the sustainable golf course of the future!
