what links golf course mean

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 links and regular golf courses?

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.

Why do they call it 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.

What does it mean to be a links golf course?

A links is the oldest style of golf course, first developed in Scotland. Links courses are generally built on sandy coastland that offers a firmer playing surface than parkland and heathland courses.

What makes a course a links 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.

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.

What does hitting the links mean?

You might hear the term “links golf” which refers to old-school type courses that are found in Europe. Links golf courses are usually flat and have bigger greens than most US courses. You might also hear “Let's hit the links” which just refers to going out and playing a round of golf.

How do you play links golf course?

To play links courses well you need to drive the ball low and straight, under the wind, with less spin so that it lands and runs down the fairways. You can do this by hitting the “knuckle ball” with your driver. This shot creates a low top spinning flight that releases and runs on landing.

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.

Are links golf courses 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.

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 is the toughest hole in golf?

Augusta National Golf Club: 12th Hole Famed golfer Jack Nicklaus doesn't just think the 12th hole is the hardest at Augusta National, but he also thinks the 155-yard par 3 may be the hardest hole in tournament golf. Also referred to as "Golden Bell," the hole is the shortest on the course.

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.

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 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.

What is a link golf course?

Today, a links golf course is more broadly defined as a golf course with a natural and open lay-out, lying on sandy soil that is heavily affected by the wind. It has few to no trees, but with thick rough grasses. The course features several bunkers, with many of them being deep, pot bunkers – to prevent the sand from blowing away. And of course the traditional ‘OUT’ and ‘IN’ routing, so 9 holes out and 9 holes coming back to the clubhouse.#N#Another thing that is typical of a links-style course is the hard ground. This is due to to the lack of moisture retained by the sand-based turf. The ball will generally roll further than on a normal course. You can make this work quite well for you if you’re up to it. They call this a ‘bump and run’.

Where is a true links golf course located?

A true links course is located alongside the sea. It consists of sandy soil and has little vegetation other than tall sea grassses and gorse (a hearty, low growing, evergreen plant). The natural terrain is used to develop the golf holes. An important reason the game of golf originated on this type of land was because it suited play.

Why are links courses so difficult to play?

It is commonly known that links courses are more difficult for golfers to play. This may be due to the harsh weather conditions they can experience or simply the layout of the course. It has been said by many that links courses are in fact the true test of a golfer’s ability.

Where did the term "links" come from?

Why the history lesson you ask? Well you may have noticed from above that the game of golf originated on the coast of Scotland – this in turn brought the term links. The word itself has actually evolved from the Old English word ‘ hlinc ‘ – meaning ridge or rising ground. This described the type of hilly land found in the coastal regions of the UK. This land is usually pretty rugged, sandy under foot, remarkably undulating and extremely windy. These conditions result in a scarcity of tree growth and tall, thick, rough native grasses that define the land. These qualities also define a links golf course.

Where is the oldest golf course in the world?

The Old Course at St Andrews Links in Fife, Scotland, is the oldest and most iconic golf course in the world. Evidence that people played on this golf links can be traced back to the year 1552.

Where is Royal St George's Golf Club?

The Royal St George’s Golf Club is located in the quaint English seaside town of Sandwich in Kent. The club has a distinguished golfing history and is proud to have hosted amateur and professional tournaments since the 1880’s.

Where did golf originate?

Golf allegedly originated somewhere on the eastern coast of Scotland. Now let’s go all the way back to the beginning of the sport to fully understand the meaning. It is believed that the game of golf originated somewhere on the eastern coast of Scotland.

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.

What is a traditional link golf course?

Traditional links golf courses have simply been laid out over the natural terrain.

Where are links golf courses located?

Almost all the true links golf courses are found in the UK and Ireland, although there are layouts with links-like playing characteristics around the world, particularly on the North Sea coast of continental Europe.

What is the ground on the links?

The ground on the links is firm and sandy, populated by indigenous bent and fescue grasses that are extremely hardy.

What is chip and run in golf?

The chip-and-run is the links short-game shot of choice; keeping the ball close to the ground, hugging and following the natural contours.

Why are the links different from inland courses?

The challenge you face on the links is very different to most inland courses and this is largely due to the wind.

Who looks at what makes a links golf course and the keys to playing one well?

Fergus Bisset looks at what makes a links golf course and the keys to playing one well.

Do links golf courses sit comfortably?

Over the years the odd bunker was dug at key points. Links courses sit comfortably, rather than being forced upon the land.

Why are golf courses called parkland?

When golf started, it was originally played in coastal areas called links land. It was the somewhat useless tracts of land between the beaches and the ocean and inland farming areas. After all, Scotland was an agrarian society, ...

Where was golf born?

But on that links land between the ocean and the farms of Scotland, golf was born. Most golf courses in the world are called parkland courses, meaning courses not built on the links land but rather on land consisting of fields with trees. Now, there are links-style courses that use parkland but remove trees, build up fake dunes ...

What did rabbits do in golf?

Rabbits made holes there. Early golfers, like shepherds, basically took sticks, maybe their staffs, and hit rocks into holes, seeing who could do it in the least number of strokes. Over time, as golf became more sophisticated, the equipment did, too.

Is a golf course a link?

However, strictly speaking, unless those courses were built on that space between beach and ocean and farm or parkland , it's not a links.

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 courses found?

True links courses are mostly found in Scotland, Ireland and England. The course must be along the coast with sandy soil underneath.

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 most famous parkland course in the world?

Augusta National is among the most famous parkland courses in the world.

What is a beginner's guide to golf course design?

Welcome to A Beginner’s Guide to Golf Course Design, where we’ll dig into the history, design and meaning of golf course architecture terms you’ve probably heard before but might not fully understand. We’ll explain all of the above, and better yet, teach you how to identify these features and plan your attack for the next time you see one, saving you strokes along the way. In this installment, we’re breaking down the different types of golf courses.

What is the dress code for golf?

Dress codes vary in strictness depending on the policies of the golf course that you are playing. A good indicator of whether there is a dress code is the price of the course you plan to play. The higher the green fees, the more likely there is to be a dress code for golfers. In general, a collared shirt and Dockers-style shorts or slacks will get ...

Do golf courses have metal spikes?

Most golf courses have outlawed metal spikes. Make sure you're wearing golf shoes with soft spikes or other non-metal golf cleats; or wear a soft-soled shoe of some other type (tennis shoes, for example—never anything with a hard heel). The higher up you go in green fees, the more likely a course will be to require its customers to wear golf-specific shoes.

Do golf courses have dress codes?

To recap: Yes, many golf courses—especially non-municipal courses— do have golf dress codes. If you wear a shirt with a collar and Dockers-style pants or shorts, you'll meet the dress code of 95-percent of courses. But always call ahead before playing a new course and ask for the specifics.

Can you show up to a golf course without meeting the dress code?

Golf courses will turn away golfers who show up without meeting the dress code if there is one in place (or you can choose to buy expensive pro shop golf apparel in order to bring yourself up to the course's standards).

Do golf courses require collared shirts?

But most upscale courses require collared shirts and have a no-denim rule. A very small number of (mostly private luxury) courses even have no-shorts rules, requiring golf slacks.

Do you wear jeans on golf courses?

In general, a collared shirt and Dockers-style shorts or slacks will get you onto most golf courses (additionally, golf skirts or skorts for women). Many lower-priced courses also permit denim shorts or blue jeans. But most upscale courses require collared shirts and have a no-denim rule.