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.
Are links courses the best form of golf?
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...
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”.
How is links course different from other golf courses?
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.
Why is golf course called links?
May 07, 2022 · '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 links golf and regular golf?
What is link style golf?
Why do golfers say links?
Are links courses harder?
How do you play links golf?
What makes a links course different?
What makes a true links golf course?
Why are golf balls covered in little dents?
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."
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.
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.
Where did links originate?
A links is the oldest style of golf course, first developed in Scotland. 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 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.
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.".
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”.
What is the difference between a parkland and a links golf course?
The main differences are that a parkland golf course is heavily developed by an architect and not as natural as a links golf course. The fairways tend to be more forgiving and flatter when compared to the rolling fairways on a links golf course. The best examples of each type would be St Andrews for links courses and Augusta National ...
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 ...
Where are links golf courses located?
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.
Why do golf courses play different each time?
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. Sometimes the wind is such a factor that it can be a real problem for golfers and really make the scores inflated in a tournament.
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 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.”.
Do all links golf courses have water?
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.
Where did golf originate?
It is believed that the game of golf originated in Scotland in the 15th century and the first courses were developed on stretches of land known as links. Most farmers claimed that these coastal lands were useless for agriculture because of their sandy soil.
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 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 is a link course?
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.” These courses are also typically much windier than a normal style course due to the lack of trees that would normally provide some deflection.
What is links golf?
Links golf is the original golf course style, presenting many challenges different to those found on Parkland courses. Here in the UK, we are spoilt for choice with some of the best Links courses in the world.
What are the factors that affect golf?
If you’re not used to Links golf, keep in mind the main factors: 1 Quick, firm, uneven fairways, and greens. 2 High chance of strong offshore winds. 3 Uneven footing. 4 Approach shots.
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.
Is it rare to walk between the green and the next tee box?
In addition to the many other qualities that make links courses attractive, short distances between the green and the next tee box is another. Since the geography of a links course runs in a straight line along a coast, long walks between the last hole and the next tee box are rare. In fact, sometimes the walk around a hazard -- an inland cove, for example -- is considerably longer than the green-to-tee distance.
Where was golf invented?
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, as you'd expect in the Middle Ages.
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.
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.
What is the difference between a regular golf course and a links golf 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.
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.
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.
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).
Do you have to think about your shot when playing links golf?
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). 1.
Where are links golf courses located?
True links courses are mostly found in Scotland, Ireland and England. The course must be along the coast with sandy soil underneath. Links golf is where the game was founded as this sandy soil was perfect for the game and not great for much anything else.
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 the name of the golf course that is located along the coast?
Links course. First up is the most famous type of golf course, the links course . The term derives from the Old English word hlinc meaning rising ground or ridge and refers to sandy area along coast.
Is inland golf more open than parkland?
These inland courses are usually a bit more open than parkland courses as their style is based on links courses. The courses often have lots of gorse and heather as part of play and don’t usually look as precisely manicured as traditional parkland courses.
Do golf courses have pine trees?
While most of them have few trees (mostly pine trees) many of them have had trees grow in over the years. These courses came about when people were looking for places to play golf other than links land. The terrain is often undulating in a similar way to links and the sandy soil is similar as well.
How many holes are in a championship golf course?
Most of the time a club saying they have a “Championship Course” doesn’t mean much other than it is 18 holes, fairly long and fairly tough. The phrase “championship” is often used to distinguish courses if a club has more than one to choose from.
What is a champion golf course?
But you could also define a “championship course” as a course that has hosted big tournaments, which cuts down the list dramatically. The 17th at TPC Sawgrass provides one of the best theaters in all of golf.
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
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 …