what do they mean in golf when they say links playing

“Links” refers to a specific type of golf course and, frequently, the style of golf that is played on those courses (“links golf”). “Links” golf courses are noted for the firm, tightly-mowed grass that covers the course and the naturally undulating and rumpled ground they are built on.

Full Answer

Why are golf courses called Golf 'Links'?

What Is a Links Golf Course?

• Links golf is, it's often said, "played on the ground" as opposed to being "played in the air," as with parkland-style golf courses. ...
• There are plenty of beautiful, historic links courses still open for play in Scotland, including the famous St. ...
• The difference between a parkland course and a links course is considerably greater than is commonly known. ...

Why is golf course called links?

Popular Links Golf Courses

• Whistling Straits is a popular links golf course in the United States in Wisconsin. ...
• Another popular links golf course in the States is Pebble Beach Golf Links, which has hosted several major championships and major tournaments.
• In Europe, Ballybunion Golf Club Old Course and Turnberry Golf Club are some links golf courses that come to mind.

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. ...

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 does links play mean in 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. It also retains this more general meaning in the Scottish English dialect.

What does playing links mean?

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 does it mean hitting 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 difference between links golf and regular golf?

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 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.

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.

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 do you mean LINK?

A link (short for hyperlink) is an HTML object that allows you to jump to a new location when you click or tap it. Links are found on almost every webpage and provide a simple means of navigating between pages on the web. Links can be attached to text, images, or other HTML elements.

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.

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).

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 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 "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 ...

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 ...

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.

Where are links golf courses located?

Links courses are also usually located on ocean coasts, where strong, changing winds play a major factor. “Links” golf courses began in Scotland with the very first golf courses ever built.

Where does the term ‘golf’ come from?

Many believe it is derived from the Scots-language word “goulf”.

What does ‘mulligan’ mean in golf?

A mulligan is a golf term that only applies to recreational golfers. Sometimes (and sometimes often) amateur players will hit a poor drive on the 1st hole, whether it is due to nerves or failing to warm up properly. Rather than start off on a bad note, golfers in casual games will sometimes “take a mulligan” and re-play their first shot with a new ball without counting the original bad shot.

What is a forecaddie in golf?

Some think it comes from the golf term “forecaddie”, which is a person that stands in a forward position on each golf hole to pinpoint where the players’ balls go. “Forecaddies” are often in the line of fire and need to be warned when a ball is flying toward them.

Why do you yell "fore"?

But if you hit a wild shot that flies toward golfers on other holes, bystanders, or spectators, you must yell “fore” loudly to warn them about the incoming ball. Like many other golf terms, the origin of “fore” is not entirely known.

What is an ace in golf?

An “ace” is one of the most coveted accomplishments in the golf. It is simply an alternate golf term for “ hole-in-one “, which is when a player needs only one shot to get his ball in the hole. Virtually all “aces” or “holes-in-one” occur on par 3s. That’s because all players are expected to reach the green on par 3s with their tee shot ...

What is a par? A birdie? A bogey?

Let’s start simply with the golf terms “par”, “birdie” and “bogey”. All three of these golf terms refer to scoring.

What is a dogleg in golf?

A dogleg is an architectural term for a hole on a golf course that has a straight fairway before veering either left or right. If it curves to the left, it’s called a dogleg-left hole and if it curves to the right, it’s known as a dogleg-right.

What does "fore right" mean in golf?

If you hit an errant shot that is traveling dangerously close to other golfers, you are expected to use this term. This term will often be used in combination with a direction. For example, if you’re shot is heading towards people on the right side of a hole, you should yell, “fore-right!”.

What does it mean when you hit an albatross?

What it means: An albatross is when a golfer scores three under par on a hole. On a par-5, this means you would have to hit the ball in the hole on just your second shot! Albatross is the rarest of any type of golf score.

What is a golf tee?

A golf tee is a wooden or plastic peg that is placed in the ground to hit a golf ball off of. You may only use a tee when you are hitting from the tee-box.

What is a golf handicap?

What it means: A golf handicap is a scoring system used to determine how well a golfer can shoot. Handicaps are used so that players of different skill levels can fairly compete against each other. The lower the handicap, the better the player, and vice-versa.

What does par mean in golf?

What it means: Par refers to the number of set strokes recommended to complete a given hole. Usually, this number will be 3, 4, or 5 depending on the length of the hole. These will be called par-3s, par-4s, and par-5s, respectively. Golfers use this term when comparing their score to the recommended number of strokes for the hole.

What does it mean to have an ace in golf?

What it means: An ace in golf refers to when you hit the ball in the hole with your tee-shot. Aces are most common on par-3s, however, on rare occasions, players have gotten an ace on a par-4. An ace is more commonly known as a hole-in-one.

What does "away" mean in golf?

Away – The player that is farthest away from the hole and is up to play.

What is the importance of alignment in golf?

Alignment – This refers to the position of the player’s body relative to the intended target. Good alignment is critical for accurate shots.

What is a baseball grip?

Baseball Grip – A type of grip that resembles a baseball bat grip. Others might call it a 10-finger grip. Below the Hole – A term that refers to a putt where the hole is at a higher elevation than the ball. Big Dog – A Driver. Bite – A term used by golfers for a golf ball to stop rolling.

Why is backspin important in golf?

It is important for distance and accuracy. Backspin – Spin is very important in most aspects golf and you will often come across the term when comparing clubs or in golfing instructions. Simply put, more backspin will give you a high ball with a fair amount of control.

What is an ace in golf?

Ace – Otherwise known as a hole in one an ace is when the ball finds the hole from the tee in a single stoke. It is the dream of many golfers.

What is bump and run golf?

Bump and Run – A chip shot around the green involving a low lofted iron. This type of chip is great for a large part of the green to work with.

What is the center of gravity in golf?

Center of Gravity – While this term can also be used to talk about a player it is generally related to the design and balancing of the golf club. To keep the concept simple, the farther back and lower the center of gravity (CG), the higher the trajectory will be according to the loft angle. This will give golfers an easier launch that generally has good backspin. Low handicap players do not need this advantage as much and tend to prefer a progressive CG with a higher CG on the longer irons.

What is golf slang?

Golf slang is a colorful part of the game, and golf slang terms can be universally used or be specific to a very small region. Small groups of golfers might even develop their own terms, unique to their rounds.

What is a flub in golf?

Flub: Usually applied to badly botched chip shots, especially ones hit fat. Four-Jack: When it takes you four putts to get your ball in the hole, you four-jacked it. Fried Egg: A golf ball that has plugged, or buried, in a sand bunker, so that the top of the ball resembles the yolk in a fried egg.

What does "good good" mean in golf?

Good-Good: Agreement between two golfers on the green to give each other gimmes. As in, "if mine is good, yours is good."

What is a golf cart jockey?

Cart Jockey: A golf course employee who greets golfers before the round, offers them help getting their bags onto the golf cart, and/or gives them a lift from the parking lot to the pro shop . After the round, the cart jockey usually greets the golfers again as they leave the 18th green, offers to give their clubs a wipe-down, ...

What is a sunblock golfer?

Sunblock: A golfer who spends a lot of time in bunkers (a k a, at the beach). Sunday Ball: Same as a "lunch ball" - another term for a mulligan (do-over). Tiger Tees: The teeing grounds used in professional tournaments, or the rearmost tees at any golf course. U.S.G.A .:

What is a golf shot with a lot of spin?

Pole Dancer: When your shot into the green hits the flagstick, it's a pole dancer. Popeye: A shot with lots of "spinnage" (lots of spin). Rainmaker: A golf shot with a very high trajectory. Usually applied to pop-ups, skyballs or other mis-hits, but can be applied to a shot played intentionally.

What is a ladies playday?

Ladies Playday: A tournament date set aside for a golf club's women's association. This term is a leftover from the era in golf when, at some clubs, women were restricted to only a few tee times during a week.

Why is it called a bite in golf?

Bite: If a ball has lots of backspin it is said to “bite” because it stays close to where it landed or may spin back toward the player. If a ball appears to be going past the hole a player may shout “pray” or a more humorous way can be to shout, “grow teeth!”. Bogey: A score of one over par. Bracket:

What does it mean when a golf ball is juicy?

Offers a nice clean hit. A juicy lie indicates the ball is sitting on top of grass as if it is mounted on a short Tee.

What is the best game of golf?

A golfer’s best game which is executed on a regular basis. Hitting the ball into the hole in one swing of the club. When the putted ball refuses to fall into the hole. A golf shot which travels a considerably longer distance than planned.

How many strokes does it take to get a golf ball into the hole?

Only taking two strokes to get the golf ball into the hole when your ball is resting around the green.

What is a lumberjack in golf?

Lumberjack: When a golfer hits a ball into a wooded area numerous times during a round and continues to hit the trees trying to get out of the woods. Lie: While in play the Lie is the position/location of the golf ball.

What is the right to tee off first?

The right to tee off first based on having the best score on the last hole or being furthest away from the hole.

What is a cabbage in golf?

Cabbage (aka Spinach): If you hit the ball into inescapable thick rough. Can: Refers to the “Cup” on the Green. Carpet: Term which refers to the “Green”. Casual water: A build-up of water on the golf course after heavy rain that is not part of a water hazard. The player can move the ball without penalty.

Overview

Playing style

The unique nature of links courses necessitates a distinct style of play. The challenges links traits present fall into two categories: topography, which tends to be characterised by uneven fairways, thick rough, and small, deep "pot bunkers"; and climatic, dominated by windy conditions created by their coastal location and lack of trees, and frequent intermittent rain squalls.
Links topography favours a controlled style of golf, as hazards abound. Low and even bouncing …

Geographic location and course management

Determining factors

Notable courses