what is a link golf course?

In modern terms, a "links course" is more broadly defined as:

• A golf course built on sandy soil that is buffeted by the wind.
• Has few, if any, trees, but has a tall, thick rough of native grasses.
• Features many bunkers, with many of them deep (including pot bunkers) to prevent sand from blowing away.

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Full Answer

Are links courses the best form of golf?

Whilst these golf courses might not tick every box to lay claim to being a true links golf course, the experience is very similar, expect a focus on shot-making, the ability to keep the ball low to the ground and utilising the natural contours of the land to try to find your way to the putting surface and the hole.

What are the benefits of living on a golf course?

The Benefits of Living on a Golf Course

• Take a Look at that View! You’ll never tire of the beautiful landscapes if you live on a golf course. ...
• Amenities Everywhere. As you settle into the golf course lifestyle, you’ll notice there’s rarely a lull in the action. ...
• Maintenance-Free Fun. As previously stated, the landscaping and views are flawless. ...
• FOUR! ...

Who is best at Links golf?

Sobel’s 2019 British Open Preview: Who Are the 10 Best Links Golfers in the World? Tommy Fleetwood. British Open Odds: 25-1. Rickie Fowler. Sergio Garcia. Marc Leishman. Rory McIlroy.

What is the difference between links golf a normal golf?

What Is a Links Style Golf Course?

• Links History. In Scotland, where golf is believed to have originated in the 15th century, the first courses were developed on stretches of land known as links.
• Links Characteristics. ...
• Traditional Links Course. ...
• Modern Links Style. ...
• Playing a Links Course. ...

What is the difference between a golf course and a links?

The difference between a links golf course and a regular course is that the golfer is forced to work with the natural elements of the course. The links course is not manufactured and maintains the original lay of the land. This emulates how it was in the earliest days of the game.

What makes a golf course a links course?

A links golf course is the oldest style of golf course, first developed in Scotland. The word comes from the Scots language and refers to an area of coastal sand dunes, and also sometimes to open parkland. It also retains this more general meaning in the Scottish English dialect.

Why is it called links golf?

Links course The term derives from the Old English word hlinc meaning rising ground or ridge and refers to sandy area along coast. While many courses claim to be links, call themselves links-style, or have the word links in their name, the category is more specific than that.

Is Augusta a links course?

MacKenzie and Bobby Jones, both having studied the Old Course, created Augusta National on the links principle of giving players options.

What is a link golf course?

A links is the oldest style of golf course and refers to an area along the coast where natural terrain is used in the construction. Most links courses incorporate sand dunes and low-lying vegetation and have a small number of trees, leaving them exposed to coastal elements like high winds and rain.

What is the difference between a link and a regular golf course?

The primary difference between a links course and a regular course is that golfers are forced to deal with the natural elements, which is often not the case on parkland courses. True links courses have not been manufactured and represent the original lay of the land.

How many links courses are there in the US?

Well, according to the PGA, there are only four true links courses in the US, namely: Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Old Macdonald, and Highland Links on Massachusetts’ Cape Cod.

Why are links courses so difficult to play?

Due to the unpredictability of the natural contours and components of a links course (as well as the weather!), they tend to be much more difficult to play and demand much higher levels of concentration when compared with parkland or even desert courses.

What are the most prestigious links courses?

Tracks like Royal Dornoch, Royal Troon, and St. Andrews are the most prestigious links courses and are the holy grail for golfers all over the world hoping to test themselves on some of the most challenging courses found anywhere on the planet.

How many holes are there in Highland Links?

Under the watchful gaze of the Highland Cape Lighthouse, the nine-hole par 35 course at Highland Links is replete with deep natural rough, Scotch broom, heath, and spectacular views out to the Atlantic.

Where were the first links courses?

The first links courses were in Scotland, with St. Andrews, affectionately known as ‘the home of golf,’ being one of the most famous links courses in the world.

What is a link course?

Links courses are buffeted by strong winds that require deep bunkers to prevent the sand from blowing away. They are also completely or largely treeless. There are other criteria that specifically define a links course. All the first golf courses in the sport's history were links courses in Scotland.

What is a true link golf course?

A true links course is not just any golf course that is treeless. The term "links" historically applies specifically to strips of land in seaside areas that feature sandy soil, dunes, and undulating topography, and where the land is not conducive to cultivated vegetation or trees.

What are the links in the British Open?

Photo galleries of courses in the British Open rota, all of them links, are instructive. The Old Course at St. Andrews is the "home of golf" and the most famous links. Others links golf courses in the Open rota featured in photo galleries include Royal St. George's, Royal Birkdale, and Royal Troon. Two more links that have been the sites of multiple British Opens are Turnberry and Muirfield. All of these are the type of golf course called links.

Why did golf courses have bunkers?

But such bunkers had to be deeply recessed to prevent sand from being blown away by the constant wind.

Why did the early links golf courses follow an out and back course?

Because they were built on narrow strips of land, early links courses often followed an "out and back" or "out and in" routing. The front nine went out from the clubhouse, one hole stringed after another until reaching the ninth green, which was the point on the golf course farthest from the clubhouse.

What is links land?

The British Golf Museum says that "links" are coastal strips of land between the beaches and the inland agricultural areas. This term, in its purest sense, applies specifically to seaside areas in Scotland. So "links land" is land where the seaside transitions into farmland.

What golf course is part of the British Open?

A view across the Carnoustie Links, one of the golf courses that make up the British Open rota.

What is a links golf course?

Firstly, a links style golf course is the oldest style of course you can play . The word “links” is derived from old Scotland and refers to an area along a coast that includes sand dunes or high fescue and very few, if any, trees. Back in that time course designers had limited resources for moving ground and shaping a course to their liking. Traditionally, most of this type of course are found near a coastline but not all links style courses have water nearby. Some golfers feel that a links course is easier and more unobstructed due to the lack of trees, however, the high dunes and grass are rarely forgiving and can swallow your ball easily.

What are the characteristics of a link course?

Links Characteristics. A true links course will usually run alongside a body of water and normally consists of sandy soil with very little vegetation other than tall sea grasses and fescue. The bunkers on a links course are usually deep and known as “pot bunkers.”.

What does "let's hit the links" mean?

The phrase “let’s hit the links” has become synonymous with golfing in general but have you ever heard someone say, “it’s a links course” and wondered what they exactly they were talking about? Spoiler alert…it has nothing to do with sausages.

What do pro golf instructors say about the game?

They will quite often say that the game is played “closer to the ground” and since the terrain on a links course is normally firm, players will use more bump-and-run type shots.

What are the advantages of a link green?

Greens on links courses tend to be free of front hazards, which allow golfers to bounce the ball onto the green rather than sticking the green and hoping for backspin.

What is a true links course?

A true links course will consist of an “outward” nine in one direction along the coastline, and an “inward” nine which returns in the opposite direction. The challenge here lies in a player’s ability to play one set of nine holes with one wind direction and the next nine with the opposite wind pattern.

Is it fun to play links golf?

Playing a links golf course can be very different than what most of us are used to but it can also be a fun way to gain a new perspective on your golf game. We encourage everyone to try playing a links golf course if ever presented with the opportunity.

Why are links golf courses called links?

One reason the game originated on this type of land was because it suited play. Course designers had limited resources for moving earth to shape a course. Many modern links-style courses are not necessarily coastal and have been shaped to take on traditional links characteristics.

What are the characteristics of a links course?

A links course is along the sea, consists of sandy soil and has little vegetation other than tall sea grasses and gorse, a hearty low-growing evergreen plant. The natural terrain is used to develop the golf holes. Many of the bunkers were once natural windswept dunes. The layout of the holes is also part ...

What are the most famous links courses in the world?

St. Andrews, Royal Troon, and Royal Dornach are considered three of Scotland's most famous and most traditional links courses. In Ireland, there are also traditional links, including Waterville, Ballybunion and Lahinch. The United States also has several famous links courses. One of them is the highly ranked Pebble Beach. Sinnecock Hills in New York and Bandon Dunes in Oregon are also traditional links.

Why is golf played closer to the ground?

Generally, the game is played closer to the ground. Since the terrain on a links course is naturally firm , players employ more bump-and-run shots. Putting from close off the green is also encouraged. And keeping your ball flight low helps to lessen the effects the usually brisk coastal winds have on your ball flight.

Which country has the most links golf courses?

Andrews. Ireland, Wales and England also have true links courses, but Scotland is believed to have the most.

When did golf courses start?

Links History. In Scotland, where golf is believed to have originated in the 15th century, the first courses were developed on stretches of land known as links. Farmers deemed these coastal lands useless because of the sandy soil, so golf course designers began to make use of them. There are a number of true links courses still open ...

Do links courses have trees?

Most are developed by designers to look like traditional links courses. There are no trees or very few, and the land has subtle rolling terrain. However, many links-style courses are not built along the coast.

What Is a Links Course?

In this context, the word Link comes from the Old English word hlinc, meaning ridge or rising ground. Links courses are almost always in a coastal area, with Link then referring to the geography.

What Makes It a Links?

While there are a few non-coastal links courses, they are few and far between. One of the main features of a links style golf course is the sandy soil. This soil drains quickly, allowing the ground to stay firm even in coastal storms.

Popular Links Courses

Many of the most popular links courses are in the U.K., where the style and sport originated. Here are some of the most world-renowned links courses.

Teeing Off

A links golf course will always set itself apart from other types of golf course experiences. The difficult geography and traditional play will challenge even the most experienced players. Much of the deep history of the sport of golf lies in links courses, making it one of the most unforgettable experiences any player can have.

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What is a links golf course?

A links golf course refers to the soil and terrain upon which the golf course is set. A links golf course is located along the seaside, consisting of sandy soil and doesn’t contain much vegetation other than tall seagrass and gorse. As opposed to other golf courses, a links golf course will develop golf holes with its natural terrain.

What is a links golf course, when it first originated?

There are a few different theories of how the game golf first came around, the most popular being that it came around at the same time that Julius Caesar was in reigning in Scotland. It was in 1457 when golf was recognised by the Scottish parliament.

Why is a links golf course called links?

The term ‘links’ evolved from an old English word ‘hlinks’ meaning ridge or rising ground. This word relates perfectly to golf as a links golf course is situated on the hilly lands on the coast of the UK. The land on links golf courses now is sandy, rugged and windy, which leaves little tree growth and grasses.

What are the benefits of a links golf course?

A links golf course can completely test the ability of a golf player. This is due to the harsh weather conditions and the design of the golf course, which makes it ideal for advanced players. Although a links golf course is one of the hardest courses to play, it is also the oldest, compared to other courses such as parkland and desert.

Where can I play on a links golf course?

There are only a few true links golf courses around the world, 246 to be exact. As it originated in the UK, this is where most of them are found. However, you can also find them in New Zealand, Australia and North America. Many golf courses claim that they are links golf courses, although this isn’t always true.

What is a link golf course?

Links courses tend to be on, or at least very near to, a coast, and the term is typically associated with coastal courses, often amid dunes, with few water hazards and few, if any, trees. This reflects both the nature of the scenery where the sport originated and the limited resources available to golf course architects at that time. Soil movement, for example, had to be done by hand, and thus was kept to a minimum, as was irrigation. Even today, some links courses do not employ a greens staff, use only basic machinery such as hole cutters without boards, resulting in a hole that is cut unevenly, and use grazing animals to keep the grass cropped.

Where are links golf courses played?

The first exception to this was the 2004 PGA Championship, which was played on a links-style course, Whistling Straits, located near Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The 2015 U.S. Open was played at Chambers Bay, a British links-style course in University Place, Washington. Royal Adelaide Golf Club is a links course in Adelaide, South Australia , and was partly designed by Alister MacKenzie where he stated, "One finds a most delightful combination of sand dunes and fir trees. I have never seen a seaside course possess such magnificent sand craters, as those at Royal Adelaide."

What is links land?

Links land is typically characterised by dunes, an undulating surface, and a sandy soil unsuitable for arable farming but which readily supports various indigenous browntop bent and red fescue grasses. Together, the soil and grasses result in the firm turf associated with links courses and the 'running' game.

Where is Royal Adelaide Golf Club?

Royal Adelaide Golf Club is a links course in Adelaide, South Australia, and was partly designed by Alister MacKenzie where he stated, "One finds a most delightful combination of sand dunes and fir trees. I have never seen a seaside course possess such magnificent sand craters, as those at Royal Adelaide.".

Where is the 18th hole in Kinsale?

The 18th hole at the Old Head Golf Links on the Old Head of Kinsale. This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2019) Although the term links is often used loosely to describe any golf course, few golf courses have all of the design elements of true links courses, including being built on linksland.

Where did the word "links" come from?

The word "links" comes via the Scots language from the Old English word hlinc: "rising ground, ridge" and refers to an area of coastal sand dunes and sometimes to open parkland.

Do links golf courses have a green staff?

Soil movement, for example, had to be done by hand, and thus was kept to a minimum, as was irrigation. Even today, some links courses do not employ a greens staff, use only basic machinery such as hole cutters without boards, resulting in a hole that is cut unevenly, and use grazing animals to keep the grass cropped.