What Is a Links Golf Course?
- Links Golf Course Geography. The British Golf Museum says that "links" are coastal strips of land between the beaches and the inland agricultural areas.
- Hallmarks of True Links Courses. A true links course is not just any golf course that is treeless. ...
- See Links Courses. ...
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Full Answer
Why are golf courses called Golf 'Links'?
Mar 18, 2021 · 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 is golf course called links?
Jul 31, 2013 · 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.
What is the difference between links golf a normal golf?
Jul 17, 2015 · The term, “links” has two meanings within golf. It is used generally to refer to the course that golf is played on. A golfer might say to a friend of hers, “sorry, I can’t come over and collect kindling with you because I’m going to hit the links today. It also has a more technical meaning, referring to a particular type or style of golf course.
Who is best at Links golf?
Jul 13, 2021 · "The links" isn’t a term specific to golf courses. It is simply a strip of generally undulating, but always sandy, terrain linking the sea and the …
What is the difference between a golf course and a 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.Feb 11, 2020
What does hit the links mean in golf?
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 makes it a links golf course?
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.
How do you play links golf?
5:5029:05ON COURSE GOLF TIPS - LINKS GOLF COURSE - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then maybe release up towards the pin as well even with this wind ball position ball. PositionMoreAnd then maybe release up towards the pin as well even with this wind ball position ball. Position again I try and keep it just maybe Center is slightly back of center with the wedge.
What does ACE mean in golf?
hole-in-oneAn “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.Apr 25, 2019
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. Once a golfer gets the ball near the cup, they can expect a very fast playing green.
What is the toughest hole in golf?
The toughest holes on the PGA Tour during the 2019-'20 seasonNinth hole, TPC Harding Park, 515 yards, par 4.Sixth hole, PGA National (Champions Course), 479 yards, par 4. ... 16th hole, El Camaleón Golf Club, 515 yards, par 4. ... Ninth hole, Monterey Peninsula Country Club (Shore Course), 223 yards, par 3. ... More items...•Dec 26, 2020
Do links courses have trees?
Links courses rarely have any trees because the land that they are built on isn't suitable for large plant life. The sandy area doesn't provide the nutrients and stability for trees to grow. Instead, these links courses will have natural seaside grasses and bushes that can survive in these harsh conditions.
What is links golf?
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.
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.
Why is it important to keep your ball flight low?
Putting from close off the green is also seen quite often on links-style golf courses and keeping your ball flight low helps to lessen the effects the usually violent coastal winds have on your ball flight.
Why were coastal lands useless for agriculture?
Most farmers claimed that these coastal lands were useless for agriculture because of their sandy soil. This is about the time when early era golf course designers began to make alternate use of the land.
Is Scotland a link golf course?
There are plenty of beautiful, historic links courses still open for play in Scotland, including the famous St . Andrews, a course that is widely known as the home of golf. You’ll find many links courses in Ireland, Wales and England, but it is believed that Scotland has the most concentration of courses of this specific type.
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 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 was the 2004 PGA Championship 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, ...
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 are the Whistling Straits?
On the other hand, some courses located hundreds of miles from a seacoast, such as Whistling Straits, near Kohler, Wisconsin, on the Great Lakes, can have all of the characteristics of a seaside links except for proximity to saltwater.
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.
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 is the home of golf?
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 ...
What is a golf course built on?
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. Plays firm and fast with sometimes crusty fairways and greens that feature many knolls ...
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.
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 are the bearded bunkers?
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.
What is the type of land that is usually pretty rugged, sandy under foot, remarkably undulating and extremely wind
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 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.
What is a link golf course?
A 'links golf course' refers to the type of soil and terrain on which it is built. Only 92 of the golf courses in Scotland (17%) are true links courses, though this includes most of the historic courses. Another 5% of Scottish courses are coastal with some properties of 'links' courses and moorland vegetation.
Where did the word "links" come from?
Originally a 'links' was any rough grassy area between the sea and the land and the word itself is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word 'hlinc', of about 931 AD, meaning a ridge. Later the word was used to denote any common grassy area and today the term 'The Links' is commonly used to refer to any golf course. Montrose Links sand, grass and gorse as ...
Why was golf played in winter?
Because there were no mechanical grass cutters before the mid-nineteenth century , golf was predominantly played in winter when the grass was naturally short following animal grazing. The links area on the east coast was accessible to the golfers of the time and coincides with the area of minimal rainfall in Scotland.
What percentage of Scottish golf courses are coastal?
Another 5% of Scottish courses are coastal with some properties of 'links' courses and moorland vegetation. Apart from links courses, the other main types of Scottish golf courses are parkland (61%) and moorland (17%). The meaning of words changes over time.
Where is the grass in the rough?
Links land is common on the east coast of Scotland from Wick to Berwick, but it is also found in ...
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.
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.
Why did the game Links originate?
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.
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 ...
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 ...
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, ...
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.
Overview
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.
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 sometim…
Geographic location and course management
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 …
Determining factors
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. The presence of a seaside location does not guarantee a links golf course. Many famous courses regarded as links do not, as presently constituted, have all of the necessary characteristics (e.g., Pebble Beach Golf L…
Notable courses
Links courses remain most common in Ireland and Great Britain, especially in Scotland. The Open Championship is always played on links courses, and this is one of the main features which differentiates it from the three major championships held in the United States. 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 …
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 …