what is a links course mean

What defines 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.

What is meant by a "links" style golf course?

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. ...

How is links course different from other golf courses?

What Is a Links Golf Course?

• Links Golf Course Geography. The British Golf Museum says that "links" are coastal strips of land between the beaches and the inland agricultural areas.
• Hallmarks of True Links Courses. A true links course is not just any golf course that is treeless. ...
• See Links Courses. ...
• Source. ...

How do I validate links in a course?

• Click Start Link Validation. ...
• Each page that has bad links will be listed with all the bad links indented in a list. ...
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What is the difference between a links course and a regular course?

When discussing links golf vs regular golf, the difference in wind is one of the biggest differentiators. Because links courses are on a coastline, strong sea winds blow in off the water. Links courses rarely have any trees because the land that they are built on isn't suitable for large plant life.

What makes a course a links course?

"Links" and "links course" are terms that refer to a specific style of golf course whose hallmarks include being built on sandy soil along a coastline. 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.

Why is it called a links golf course?

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 a links course harder?

It is often said that links courses are far more difficult for golfers to play due to the layout of the course. There is also a wind element that blows the ball around and can cause scores to climb during a golf tournament.

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.

Is Pebble Beach a true links course?

In fact, less than 1% of all the golf layouts in the world would be defined as “true links,” with just a handful in the U.S. Many of the most famous American golf destinations – including Pebble Beach, Whistling Straits and the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island – are links-style courses.

Is Whistling Straits a links course?

Whistling Straits is one of two 36-hole links-style golf courses associated with Destination Kohler, a luxury golf resort owned and operated by the Kohler Company in Kohler, Wisconsin.

Why do golfers yell mashed potatoes?

Mashed potato came from one golfer wanting his mum to spot him on TV. Andrew Widmar first shouted it at the 2011 Chevron World Challenge after Tiger hit a stinger.

How many true links golf courses are there in the world?

246 authentic links coursesThe book, entitled True Links, claims there are 246 authentic links courses in the world, but only four of them exist in the United States (and none yet in Canada).

What are the two types of golf courses?

Here are a few types of courses you should add to your golf bucket list to play in the future.Links Courses. Many golf courses claim to be a links course in their name or title, as it sounds trendy, and most people have heard the term. ... Desert Courses. ... Championship Courses. ... Parkland Courses. ... Par 3 Courses.

Is the British Open always played on a links course?

The Open Championship has always been played on links courses (mostly treeless golf courses that are built along a coast and retain the natural uneven terrain of their locations). From 1860 to 1870 the Open was played exclusively at Prestwick Golf Club. Since 1872 it has been played at a number of courses in rotation.

What does TPC stand for in golf?

Tournament Players ClubTPC — which stands for Tournament Players Club — means that a golf course is part of a prestigious network of golf courses around the world. In the case of TPC Danzante Bay, we are licensed to use this designation and as the only TPC golf course in Mexico, have very special status.

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.

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 is the home of golf?

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 ...

What is a golf course built on?

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. Plays firm and fast with sometimes crusty fairways and greens that feature many knolls ...

What is a link course?

Links courses tend to be on, or at least very near to, a coast, and the term is typically associated with coastal courses. However, links conditions can be duplicated on suitable ground, even hundreds of miles or kilometers inland. One especially notable example of an inland links-style course is Sand Hills Golf Club, ...

Where did links golf originate?

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.

Where is Bruntsfield Links?

At Bruntsfield Links in Edinburgh, Scotland, the course (a considerable distance from the coast) is still used for pitch and putt golf, and boasts a sign erected by the City Council which asserts that golf may have been invented there. The challenges of links golf fall into two categories.

Is the Open Championship played on links?

The Open Championship is always played on links courses, even though there are some celebrated courses in the United Kingdom which are not links, and this is one of the main things which differentiates it from the three major championships held in the United States.

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 is links golf?

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.

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.

Is Scotland a link golf course?

There are plenty of beautiful, historic links courses still open for play in Scotland, including the famous St . Andrews, a course that is widely known as the home of golf. You’ll find many links courses in Ireland, Wales and England, but it is believed that Scotland has the most concentration of courses of this specific type.

Do all links golf courses have water?

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 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 ...

Where are links golf courses located?

Links golf courses are situated along coastal regions. A links golf course is the oldest style of course. The word “links” is derived from ancient Scotland and refers to an area along a coast that often includes sand dunes and few, if any, trees. One reason the game originated on this type of land was because it suited play.

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.

Why did the game Links originate?

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.

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 ...

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."

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.

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.

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.

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 links golf?

When most people think of links-style golf, they are picturing golf that can be played along the ground with lots of undulation, plenty of dunes and little to no trees. These courses also usually feature pot bunkers as opposed to the larger sprawling American-style bunkers.

Where are links golf courses located?

True links courses are mostly found in Scotland, Ireland and England. The course must be along the coast with sandy soil underneath. Links golf is where the game was founded as this sandy soil was perfect for the game and not great for much anything else.

What golf courses are there in Augusta National?

Many resorts are beginning to put in short courses including Sand Valley (the Sandbox), Pinehurst (The Cradle) and Bandon Dunes (The Preserve).

Why are parkland courses called parkland courses?

They’re called parkland courses because they look and feel like you are playing golf in a park. It’s usually the case that parkland courses are well-manicured, and are full of man-made features like dug bunkers, ponds and built-up rough. Parkland courses are often built in places that don’t have ideal conditions for golf.

What golf courses are in Bandon Dunes?

Some of these courses include The Old Course at St. Andrews, Royal Troon, Lahinch, and several of the courses at Bandon Dunes golf resort. The 18th hole at the Old Course at St. Andrews. But this doesn’t tell the whole story.

What is the best golf course in Britain?

The terrain is often undulating in a similar way to links and the sandy soil is similar as well. Many of the best courses in Britain are heathland courses, including Woking Golf Club, Sunningdale Golf Club, and Alwoodley Golf Club. Woking Golf Club in the UK. Woking Golf Club.

What is the name of the golf course that is located along the coast?

Links course. First up is the most famous type of golf course, the links course . The term derives from the Old English word hlinc meaning rising ground or ridge and refers to sandy area along coast.

Definition

A links golf course is a type of golf course that is built on or near a coastline and contains very limited plant life and trees. Links courses are most commonly found in Scotland and Ireland, where golf originated.

Wind

Since links courses typically do not have trees, wind becomes a greater factor when selecting what kind of shot to play. Links courses are often found near large bodies of water or areas where inclement weather can affect the outcome of a player's score.

Green and Fairway Undulations

While holes on a links course may seem much more wide open considering the lack of wooded areas, even the best tee and approach shots can provide unwanted lies in the fairway or green. This is due to the hilly nature of links courses, which feature major undulations in even the shortest of grass, presenting golfers with yet another challenge.

Rough

On a links course, another major factor in the difficulty of the course relies on the thickness of the first and second cuts of rough. Typically, links courses will have thicker grass in the first and second cuts when compared to other courses, and may even feature grass as tall as five feet.

Pot Bunkers

Links courses often contain deeper bunkers compared to traditional American courses. These bunkers are also called pot bunkers, and they add a different and difficult element to the golf course. Pot bunkers are more difficult to hit out of due to their increased height.