What is a Links Golf Course?

What is a True Links Golf Course?

Before we go into too much detail, let’s get straight to the point:

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. Course designers had limited resources for moving earth to shape the course and many of the bunkers were once natural, windswept dunes. The layout of the holes are also a part of a true links course with the first 9 going out to the farthest point from the clubhouse and the second 9 bringing you back in (OUT & IN).

Noble Beginnings

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. There are a few stories
(some more entertaining than others) flying around about how exactly the
game was initiated, but it seemed to have evolved from the reign of
Julius Caesar. However, we’ll save you a few superfluous details and
jump to the 15th century (around 1457) when the Scottish Parliament
first recognised the ‘modern’ game of golf. This recognition came about
as a result of King James II actually banning the game. The story goes
that the sport was distracting Scottish soldiers from preparation for a
looming invasion by the English!

A Links Golf Course

View from Portmarnock Golf Club (Photo credits, member SlicingMyWayThroughLife)

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.

What Makes A Links So Special?

Impressive dunes an potbunkers at Trump International Golf Links in Scotland (Photo credits, member Claudio.Cittarini)

The three primary styles of golf course are links, parkland
and desert. Out of all these styles, links golf is the oldest – dating
back to the start of the game. 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. True links golf courses are demanding,
unforgiving and have the external elements that make playing golf
far more challenging than a desert or parkland course. 

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. 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). 

A True Links Golf Course

Pot bunkers surrounding the ‘Postage Stamp’ green at Royal Troon in Scotland (Photo credits, member mpaehlig)

The definition of a links golf course has developed and altered down
through the years and that may be why there can be confusion today. Even
amongst the best in the game there is conflict over what defines a true
links 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.

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’.

Playing a Links Golf Course

The treacherous Bandon Dunes in Oregon USA (Photo credits, member ZigaStajner)

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).

We’ve come up with a
few basic tips to keep in mind if you ever find yourself on a blustery
tee box by the sea: 

1.      Make the wind your friend – tougher than it sounds

2.      Tee
the ball low and address the ball middle of your stance

3.      Play it low! – punch the ball or you may see it coming back for you

4.      Distance putting – sometimes from off the green

5.      ‘Bump and run’ the ball – the hard ground will allow for this

6.      Use hybrid clubs – lighter and more control

7.      Play it safe when your ball is in the bunker – you’re no Tiger

8.      Check your ball – some golf balls perform better in the wind

We hope these ideas are helpful but don’t hold us to it. After all,
the whole love affair with the links is based upon its unpredictability.
 

Where to Play Links Golf?

So now that we’ve defined a links golf course and hopefully helped
you out on the course, it’s time to learn where in the world you can
play. This brings us to another reason why the links course is so unique
– there’s not that many of them!

According to the ‘The Links Association’ there are only 246
true links courses in the world at the minute. Most of these can be
found in the UK and Ireland although there are quite a few in New
Zealand, Australia and North America. 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. 

The Old Course at St Andrews Links

Read our blog on The Old Course 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. The Swilcan Bridge and Hell Bunker are recognised across the globe, yet the greatest feature of the Old Course is that despite its grand status it remains a public golf course, open to all.Read our blog on The Old Course here

Royal County Down

Read our blog on Royal County Down Royal County Down Golf Club is located in one of the world’s most naturally beautiful links settings in the Murlough Nature Reserve, Northern Ireland. The ‘bearded’ bunkers are world famous and feature overhanging lips of marram, red fescue and heather. The greens are fast and many are domed, rejecting any shot lacking conviction. This is a true test of any player’s command of the traditional ‘bump and run’, the preferred way to play any links.Read our blog on Royal County Down here

Royal St George’s

Read our blog on Royal St. George’s 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. The club is one of England’s finest links courses, and has played host to The Open Championship fourteen times with a fifteenth scheduled for 2020.Read our blog on Royal St. George’s here!

Ready to Play!

So there you have it. You are always going to get a few arguments from others as to what exactly a ‘true links golf course’ is, but that’s all part of the fun. The main thing is that you are enjoying your golf, whatever level you’re at and wherever you play. And don’t forget, if you’re looking for courses around the world, check out Leadingcourses.com and search your desired destination. Happy Golfing!