How to play Links Golf
- Hit low knuckle ball drives. Fairways at links courses can be narrow and lined by gorse (a hard dense prickly shrub), pot bunkers and thick tall rough fescue grasses.
- Lie of the land. ...
- Use the wind for better golf shots. ...
- Take your medicine in Bunkers. ...
Full Answer
What is it like to play links golf?
· How to Play the Links Hole #1 | Par 4. The opening hole on the Links Course is a short dogleg to the right. This Par-4 doesn’t require much more than a hybrid or long-iron off the tee for most. Be cautious of straying too far right, as some large trees may come into play.
Where are links golf courses located?
· A direct, aerial route to the flag is often the only option on inland, parkland courses. On a links course it is possible to run the ball along the ground, often for hundreds of yards. You can use the contours to gather your ball to the green; often with a few options to get close to the hole. Don’t go potty
What is a true 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”.
Are links courses more difficult to play?
· Use a straight-back straight-through stroke, with your hands ahead of the clubhead at all times. If you get pretty far from the hole, you'll have to add some arc to your swing. - …
How do you play at Link 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.
Are links 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.
What is the difference between a golf course and 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?
"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.
Who are the best links golf players?
The top performers in that group are Adam Scott (2.64 strokes gained per round), Henrik Stenson (2.59) and Sergio Garcia (2.45). Some other notable elite performers in that group include Rickie Fowler (ranked fifth in strokes gained per round), Justin Rose (seventh), Rory McIlroy (eighth) and Francesco Molinari (11th).
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 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 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.
What is the opposite of a links golf course?
Parkland Course Unlike links courses, which are, by definition, found in coastal areas, parkland courses are often far from the shore. Most golf courses in the United States are parkland courses.
Do links golf courses have trees?
Modern Links Style The look of links-style courses can vary greatly. 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.
Why are golf balls covered in little dents?
Dimples on a golf ball create a thin turbulent boundary layer of air that clings to the ball's surface. This allows the smoothly flowing air to follow the ball's surface a little farther around the back side of the ball, thereby decreasing the size of the wake.
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.
What is the opening hole on the Links Course?
The opening hole on the Links Course is a short dogleg to the right. This Par-4 doesn’t require much more than a hybrid or long-iron off the tee for most. Be cautious of straying too far right, as some large trees may come into play.
Can you get wet on a short par 4?
Don’t get wet! This short Par-4 has a lake in front of the green that is reachable, but is not visible from the tee box. A Long iron or hybrid is a safe play here, that will leave you with a short iron or wedge into this green.
How to play links golf?
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.
Where was the first golf course built?
The world’s first golf course, The Old Course at St Andrews, sits on a flat swathe of the North East coast of Scotland and was shaped by Mother Nature not mankind or machinery. Sheep huddled in hollows sheltering from bracing sea winds and the first bunkers were born.
When to use a sand wedge or lob wedge?
If you usually play on inland golf courses or at golf resorts, you probably use your lob wedge and your sand wedge most when chipping around the green, throwing the ball high and landing it soft.
What happens if you hit a golf ball in the wind?
The worst thing you can do when playing links golf in a wind is hit hard onto the back of the ball with a steep swing squeezing the ball up into the air and applying backspin to it. The shot will balloon and the wind will exaggerate the spin forcing it into trouble.
Where is the bunker on the 8th hole?
Be conservative and play safe from bunkers on links golf courses – bunker on the 8th hole at Royal Lytham St Anne’s Golf Club. Opt for the conservative shot that will guarantee you have at least a chance of a reasonable score – if you don’t you might find a bunker named after you.
Who is Matthew Moore?
Global Golfer found er Matthew Moore plays off scratch and lived in St Andrews for four years. He had a golf scholarship from the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and captained the St Andrews University Men’s Golf Team while studying history.
Love the wind
Most sporting arenas are constant in size and proportion; football pitches, tennis courts etc. A true links course is a living organism – the wind can lengthen or shorten every hole according to its strength and direction. That wind is variable and erratic; confusing you mid-round by turning with the tide.
Use the contours
Like the fast, slicker baize of a tournament snooker table, links golf is played on a fast, tightly knit surface created by sandy sub-soil and fine, round-bladed grasses. A direct, aerial route to the flag is often the only option on inland, parkland courses.
Missing links
If, as yet, you have not experienced links golf, I urge you to do so sooner, rather than later. Great Britain boasts some of the best links land in the world and all within easy access. It will present new challenges and experiences – expanding your golfing education and broadening your appreciation of the game.
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”.
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 ...
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 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.
Where did golf originate?
The country of Scotland is where golf originated, and it has a ton of history with the game of golf and its traditions. Flash forward to today, and there are links golf courses all over in the United States and in Europe. The majority of links golf courses are usually on the coastline of major bodies of water.
Who is Nick Lomas?
Nick Lomas. Nick Lomas is the founder of GolfSpan, an avid golfer, not quite a pro but has over 15-years of experience playing and coaching golfers from all over the world.
What is links golf?
Links golf is an unusual experience for all of the land-locked golfers out there. The rolling, seaside courses are first striking in how visually different they are, but it doesn't take long to realize that's not all; links golf is a different game. If you feel lost on links courses, you probably are unaware of a few key shots that links courses demand. We worked with Bandon Dunes' Grant Rogers and Jeff Simonds to put together a compilation of shots you need to get around a links course. Below, you'll find their tips on everything from how to play out of pot bunkers, to how to drive it in the wind.
How to control a golf shot?
It's easier to control and dictate where this shot goes. Set up with a putting stance, with the ball middle or slightly back in your stance. Use a straight-back straight-through stroke, with your hands ahead of the clubhead at all times. If you get pretty far from the hole, you'll have to add some arc to your swing. - J.S.
What is a links golf 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.
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.
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 ...
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.
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.
Where did golf originate?
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.
What is a links 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.
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 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.
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.
The ‘Punch’ Shot
Escaping The Pot Bunker
- Found on all links golf courses, many a fine links round has met its untimely death when your ball finds the green-side pot bunker; ask David Duval and Thomas Bjorn! So what to do? First and foremost, don’t try to be a hero – the goal is to get out! (a) Dig your feet well into the sand to establish a stable base and set 70% of your weight on left side. Maintain this stable body postur…
Bump and Run
- “Keep it low for the dough”. A must on links golf courses and synonymous with links golf, you will need to engage your creativity to bump and run from a tight lie and use the contours around/on the green to get the ball scooting up to the hole. (a) Pick the right club – nine, eight or seven iron are generally good choices. (b) Setup: feet close tog...
Putting in The Wind
- When playing on links golf courses with the wind blowing, putting becomes an even bigger challenge. Build a solid base by setting a slightly wider stance and flex knees a little more. Because this will put you a little lower, grip down on the putter about an inch. A stronger wind will impact break and speed so take that into account on longer putts. Take your time and be deliber…