Why are golf courses called Golf 'Links'?
Mar 18, 2021 · 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 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?
A links is the oldest style of golf course and refers to an area along the coast where natural terrain is used in the construction. Most links courses incorporate sand dunes and low-lying vegetation and have a small number of trees, leaving them exposed to …
What does the term "links golf" mean?
Dec 04, 2021 · A links golf course will always set itself apart from other types of golf course experiences. The difficult geography and traditional play will challenge even the most experienced players. Much of the deep history of the sport of golf lies in links courses, making it one of the most unforgettable experiences any player can have.
What is the difference between golf and links?
What makes a golf course a links?
Why do golfers say links?
Are links golf courses harder?
What is the difference between a links course and a regular course?
Why are golf balls covered in little dents?
What country invented golf?
What does hitting a link mean?
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 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.
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.
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 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 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 the Difference Between a Golf Course and a Links?
The primary difference between a links course and a regular course is that golfers are forced to deal with the natural elements, which is often not the case on parkland courses. True links courses have not been manufactured and represent the original lay of the land.
The Four True Links Golf Courses in the US
Bandon Dunes Links, Pacific Dunes, and Old Macdonald (All situated at Bandon Dunes Resort in Oregon).
Where is Bandon Dunes Resort Located?
Bandon Dunes Resort is located in southwest Oregon, a ten-minute drive from the seaside town of Bandon.
How Much Does it Cost to Play at Bandon Dunes?
To play the courses at Bandon Dunes Resort (excluding Bandon Preserve), the rates depend on the month of the year, and it depends on whether you’re a resort guest, day guest, or Oregonian resident.
Where is the Highland Links Golf Course Located?
Highland Links golf course overlooks Cape Cod Bay and is situated in Truro, Massachusetts. You can reach Highland Links from Boston, MA, via a 2-3-hour drive.
How Much Does it Cost to Play at Highland Links?
Nine holes at Highland Links currently costs $35, while eighteen holes are $65, regardless of the time of year.
Fun Facts about Links Golf Courses
If you want to impress your golf buddies with some trivia, here are four fun facts about links golf courses:
What Is a Links Course?
In this context, the word Link comes from the Old English word hlinc, meaning ridge or rising ground. Links courses are almost always in a coastal area, with Link then referring to the geography.
What Makes It a Links?
While there are a few non-coastal links courses, they are few and far between. One of the main features of a links style golf course is the sandy soil. This soil drains quickly, allowing the ground to stay firm even in coastal storms.
Popular Links Courses
Many of the most popular links courses are in the U.K., where the style and sport originated. Here are some of the most world-renowned links courses.
Teeing Off
A links golf course will always set itself apart from other types of golf course experiences. The difficult geography and traditional play will challenge even the most experienced players. Much of the deep history of the sport of golf lies in links courses, making it one of the most unforgettable experiences any player can have.
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Is it a crime to call a golf course links?
As a general term used as just another name for "golf course.". It's not a crime to use the term "links" in either of those ways, but it's also not accurate. The term has a specific geographic meaning. The fact is, unless you've played golf in the UK or Ireland, there's a very good chance you've never seen a true links course in person.
Is it a crime to use the term "links"?
It's not a crime to use the term "links" in either of those ways, but it's also not accurate. The term has a specific geographic meaning. The fact is, unless you've played golf in the UK or Ireland, there's a very good chance you've never seen a true links course in person.
Is there a chance you've never seen a true links course?
The term has a specific geographic meaning. The fact is , unless you've played golf in the UK or Ireland , there's a very good chance you've never seen a true links course in person.
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.
Why is links land considered unsuitable for crops?
Links land has sandy soil, making it unsuitable for crops. Such land was often, in times past, thought to be worthless because it was not useful for crops. But back in the mists of Scotland, someone had the bright idea to start knocking a ball around that land, hitting it from point to point.
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.
Who is Brent Kelley?
Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism. "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.
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.
Where did links golf originate?
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 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 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.
What is the natural terrain of golf?
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 of a true links course, with the first nine going out to the farthest point from the clubhouse and the second nine bringing you back.
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.
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 …