what makes a links style course

What Makes It A Links Course?

• The course is built along the sea or built along the coastline.
• The course contains many deep bunker hazards and the soil is sandy in nature. ...
• That brings us to wind, links courses have very windy conditions. ...
• True links course contain no trees at all hence why the wind can get so extreme as there is nothing to deflect the wind’s power. ...

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Full Answer

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.

What makes a link style 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.

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.

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 they call it links golf?

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.

What are the different styles of golf courses?

Landscape StyleLinks Course. Golf originated in Scotland, and links golf, too, has its roots in Scotland. ... Parkland Course. ... Desert Course. ... Executive Course. ... Regulation Course. ... Municipal Course. ... Daily-fee Course. ... Semi-private Course.More items...•

What type of golf course is St Andrews?

Old Course at St AndrewsClub informationCoordinates56.343°N 2.803°WLocationSt Andrews, ScotlandEstablished1552 (469 years ago)TypePublic12 more rows

Is there water on a links golf course?

A links golf course is regarded today as a golf course that has few trees, a lot of wind, thick grasses or thick heather, and a lot of bunkers. They are built on sandy soil and in most cases are on a coastline of a body of water.

What are the different styles of golf courses?

Landscape StyleLinks Course. Golf originated in Scotland, and links golf, too, has its roots in Scotland. ... Parkland Course. ... Desert Course. ... Executive Course. ... Regulation Course. ... Municipal Course. ... Daily-fee Course. ... Semi-private Course.More items...•

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 does it mean to hit the links?

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 in golf well?

5 shots you need for links golf and how to play themKEEP THE CLUBHEAD MOVING. Whenever you've got a long bunker shot, don't just thump the sand and stop there. ... STAY LOW. ... TRY TO MIMIC YOUR SET-UP POSITION AT IMPACT. ... SWING WITHIN YOURSELF. ... KEEP IT SIMPLE. ... ASSESS THE LIE. ... DON'T TAKE ANY CHANCES. ... THINK 'HANDS AND ARMS'More items...•

What is a link golf course?

What is a Links Golf Course? A links golf course is regarded today as a golf course that has few trees, a lot of wind, thick grasses or thick heather, and a lot of bunkers. They are built on sandy soil and in most cases are on a coastline of a body of water. The term “links” actually has Scots origins and means “rising ground” or “ridge”.

Why are links golf courses so popular?

There are several reasons for links golf courses and why they are popular, but the main reason is because of the challenge and uniqueness of the course. The high winds and rolling fairways make the course play different each time because you never know how the course is going to turn out on that particular day.

What is the best style of golf course to play?

Links golf courses are an important part of golf’s history and are the best style of golf courses to play in my opinion.

What are the different types of golf courses?

There are links, parkland, and desert golf courses and even executive courses. The type of golf course that I am going to talk about today is a links golf course.

What does "links" mean in golf?

The term “links” actually has Scots origins and means “rising ground” or “ridge”. The reason for this is because links courses really do play true to the contour of the course and is not usually very flat. Some people might argue that links golf courses have fewer or more characteristics, but that seems to be the general consensus ...

Which is flatter, a golf fairway or a links fairway?

The fairways tend to be more forgiving and flatter when compared to the rolling fairways on a links golf course.

Where is the home of links golf?

The home of links golf is Scotland. The links golf courses in Scotland are the earliest recollection of golf and those courses were similar to links golf courses today. The Old Course at St Andrew’s is where the modern game started in 1764. The country of Scotland is where golf originated, and it has a ton of history with the game ...

What are links courses?

By definition, links courses are designed around the natural hazards of a coastal landscape. While the sand bunkers of desert and parkland courses are added during the excavation, sand dunes and bunkers exist naturally on a links course. Though some trees may exist on a links course, they're rarely added if they weren't already there. Another hazard associated with links courses is high winds, a product of both being on the coast and the lack of wind breaks. Not to be forgotten, the ocean is an impressive hazard as well.

Where are links golf courses located?

While they can be made inland under the right circumstances, typically links golf courses are found along a coastline. And while a few links courses have been developed around lakes, the majority are alongside oceans and seas. Most links courses have rolling hills, sand dunes and bunkers, tall grass and few trees for a landscape, an inherent result of the waterfront setting. One purpose of almost every golf course is a beautiful setting, and links courses are famous for being picturesque.

Where did the name "links" originate?

The name "links" originated in Scotland. It's a derivative of the word "hlinc." In addition to the name, the traits inherent to a links course are those same traits that typify the Scottish Coast.

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.

What are the challenges of links golf?

Firstly the nature of the courses themselves, which tend to be characterized by uneven fairways, thick rough and small deep bunkers known as “pot bunkers”. Secondly, due to their coastal location many links courses are frequently windy. This affects the style of play required, favoring players who are able to play low accurate shots. As many links courses consist literally of an “outward” nine in one direction along the coast, and an “inward” nine which returns in the opposite direction, players often have to cope with opposite wind patterns in each half of their round.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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 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 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 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 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.

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 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.

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 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 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.

Is a golf course at the coast a link course?

There are also some golf courses that claim to be links courses, however that’s not always guaranteed. A golf course at the coast, doesn’t mean that it is a true links course. It must have all of the elements described above, namely; built on natural links land and maintaining the specific design/layout.

Is links course manufactured?

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. Even if a player knows the course well, it is notoriously unpredictable, so factors such as creativity, risk and luck all come into play (often times as much as skill).

Can you play links golf?

Playing links golf courses can be testing for all golfers from the first-timers to the pros. You really have to think about your shot when playing links golf. However, the beauty of it is that once in a while your ball can hit the right bounce, the wind can be your friend or the bunkers can show you mercy (but don’t count on it).

What Makes It A Links Course?

It is said in the book by Malcolm Campbell and George Peper, True Links, that only 246 courses in the world meet the definition of a “true” links course and only four in the United States. The rest are “link-style” courses and this is where you will get many arguments by the pundits over which golf courses are true links course and which are not.

Playing Strategies For Links Courses

As you can see these courses are extremely challenging and allows you to use as much creativity as you can think of to get the ball up and down for par. Most PGA Tour players have a total different play style or game plan when playing on links courses in Europe as opposed to when they play regular courses in North America.

Famous Links Golf Courses

The most famous and well known links course has to be the Old Course at St. Andrews. It is the oldest course in the world (established in 1552) and most consider it the “Home of Golf”. It has hosted the Open Championship (or British Open) 29 times dating all the way back to 1873. The best part of St.

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.

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.

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 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.

Why are short courses so fun?

Short courses are great because they take up less land (which makes them cheaper and environmentally friendly), are quicker to play and can be playable even for a first-timer.

Why is it important to play on a links course?

A great advantage of playing on a links course is that it can usually be kept open all year round. The sandy soil encourages fast drainage and offers a firm playing surface even through wet weather. Links players have another aspect of weather to contend with and that is the wind.

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

The difference between a parkland course and a links course is considerably greater than is commonly known. They are both ‘somewhere to play golf’ but that’s about where any similarity ends. Most people (well, golfers anyway) know that a golf links is a golf course on the coast – a seaside course. However, the definition is even narrower than that.

What is a parkland course?

Parkland courses in general are fashioned out of the existing ‘geography’ of the area and maximum use is made of the natural features of the landscape. If there is a convenient lake or stream it can be incorporated, as can any thickets or woodland. The important thing to look for in the design of a parkland course is variety from one hole to ...

Where does the word "link" come from?

The word ‘link’ or ‘links’ comes from the Old English word ‘hlinc’ meaning a ridge or a stretch of flat, undulating land along a seashore. Nothing to do with a succession of holes linked together like a chain. Before looking at the characteristics of a links let us just define a parkland course. Well, it’s almost a case ...

Is everything parkland except links?

Well, it’s almost a case of ‘everything is parkland except a links’. But there is an exception in that there are a number of courses (usually northern) which are ‘moorland’. And mountainous courses are rare for obvious reasons. Gravity mainly.