Jackson Reid
Links golf is the oldest style of golf course, first developed in Scotland. Links courses are typically found on coastlines, featuring sandy soil, undulating surfaces, and sand dunes. The word links originates from the Old English word hlinc, meaning rising ground, ridge. Links golf presents unique challenges, including uneven fairways, thick rough, and small, deep pot bunkers. The coastal location also brings windy conditions, requiring golfers to adapt their shots accordingly. Links golf is considered the purest form of the sport, with The Open Championship, the oldest major tournament, being played annually on a true links course.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Course type | Parkland, desert, or links |
| Location | On or near a coast |
| Terrain | Undulating, sandy, and surrounded by dunes |
| Trees | Few or none |
| Grass | Browntop bent and red fescue grasses |
| Bunkers | Small and deep "pot bunkers" |
| Hazards | Few water hazards |
| Weather | Windy |
| Style of play | Controlled, low, and accurate shots |
| Course design | Follows the natural contours of the landscape |
| Course maintenance | No greens staff, basic machinery, grazing animals |
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What You'll Learn
- Links golf is the oldest style of golf course, first developed in Scotland
- Links golf courses are typically found on coastlines, featuring sand dunes and undulating surfaces
- Links golf courses are characterised by their natural features, including seaside locations, rolling sand dunes, and tall grasses
- Links golf courses have unique challenges, including uneven fairways, thick rough, and small, deep pot bunkers
- Links golf requires a distinct style of play, with low and accurate shots favoured due to the windy conditions
Links golf is the oldest style of golf course, first developed in Scotland
The game of golf originated in Scotland during the late Middle Ages, and the country is often referred to as the "Home of Golf". The first written rules of golf were established in Scotland, along with the concept of the 18-hole course. The sport holds a significant place in Scotland's national sporting consciousness, with over 550 golf courses across the country. The earliest reference to golf in Scotland dates back to 1502, when James IV purchased a set of golf clubs.
The Old Links at Musselburgh Racecourse is recognized as the oldest playing golf course globally, with records indicating that Mary, Queen of Scots played there in 1567. The Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh, founded in 1735, is the oldest golf club in the world. The establishment of golf clubs and courses in Scotland laid the foundation for the sport's global expansion.
Links golf courses remain prevalent in Scotland, with notable examples such as St Andrews, Carnoustie, and Royal Troon. The Open Championship, the oldest major golf tournament, is traditionally held on links courses, showcasing the significance of this style of golf course in the sport's history. The unique characteristics of links golf, including its natural terrain, coastal location, and challenging play, make it a beloved aspect of the sport's heritage.
The development of links golf courses in Scotland was influenced by the natural landscape and the limited resources available to course architects. The sandy soil of linksland, unsuited for agriculture, provided an ideal surface for golf. The natural undulations and dunes created a distinct style of play, and the strong coastal winds added a layer of complexity. Links golf is considered by many to be golf in its purest form, offering a unique experience that differs from modern, artificial course designs.
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Links golf courses are typically found on coastlines, featuring sand dunes and undulating surfaces
Links golf is the oldest style of golf course, first developed in Scotland, and is considered by some to be golf in its purest form. Links courses are generally built on sandy coastlines, providing a firmer playing surface than parkland or heathland courses. The sandy soil drains well, keeping the ground firm, and the natural landscape is crafted into the course design. Links courses are often amid dunes, with few water hazards and trees. This reflects the scenery of the sport's origin and the limited resources available to course architects historically.
The challenges of links golf are twofold: the nature of the course and its coastal location. Links courses feature uneven fairways, thick rough, and small deep "pot bunkers". The coastal location brings strong winds, which affect the style of play, requiring low, accurate shots. Links golf demands a distinct style of play, and the hard surface allows balls to "run" further than on softer turf. The wind plays a significant role, and golfers must adjust their shots accordingly.
Links golf courses are found globally, with notable examples including Pebble Beach Golf Links, St Andrews, North Berwick, Royal Troon, and Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. Links courses remain most common in Great Britain, especially Scotland and Ireland, and The Open Championship is always played on links courses. Some well-known links courses are located in North America, such as Whistling Straits in Wisconsin and Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon.
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Links golf courses are characterised by their natural features, including seaside locations, rolling sand dunes, and tall grasses
Links golf courses are the oldest style of golf course, first developed in Scotland. The word "links" comes from the Scots language, referring to an area of coastal sand dunes or open parkland. Links courses are typically found on coastlines or very near them, and are characterised by their natural features, including seaside locations, rolling sand dunes, and tall grasses.
The sandy soil of links courses is unsuitable for arable farming but supports various indigenous browntop bent and red fescue grasses. The soil and grasses create a firm turf, allowing balls to "run" further than on softer turf courses. Links courses often have undulating surfaces, with hilly or uneven fairways, and are rarely dotted with trees. The lack of trees and artificial obstacles means that wind plays a significant role in gameplay. The strong coastal winds, along with the sound of seagulls and the taste of salt in the air, create unique playing conditions.
The challenges of links courses fall into two categories: topography and climate. Topography-wise, links courses present uneven fairways, thick rough, and small, deep "pot bunkers". The climatic challenges include windy conditions due to their coastal location, frequent intermittent rain, and rapidly changing weather. These factors necessitate a distinct style of play, favouring controlled, low, and accurate shots.
Links courses reflect the nature of the scenery where golf originated and the limited resources available to early course architects. Soil movement, for instance, had to be done by hand, so it was kept to a minimum, as was irrigation. Even today, some links courses use grazing animals to keep the grass cropped. Links golf is considered by many to be the purest form of the game, and The Open Championship, the oldest major championship, is always played on a true links course.
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Links golf courses have unique challenges, including uneven fairways, thick rough, and small, deep pot bunkers
Links golf courses are the oldest style of golf course, first developed in Scotland. The word "links" comes from the Scots language, referring to an area of coastal sand dunes, and sometimes to open parkland. Links courses are typically found on coastlines, featuring undulating surfaces, sandy soil, and dunes. The natural topography of links courses presents unique challenges for golfers, including uneven fairways, thick rough, and small, deep pot bunkers.
The uneven fairways of links courses can vary significantly in elevation, requiring golfers to adapt their shots accordingly. These fairways often consist of firm turf, allowing the ball to run out further after landing. The thick roughs in links courses are known for their punishing nature, with tall grasses and uneven terrain that can be challenging to navigate.
The small, deep pot bunkers are another distinctive feature of links courses. These bunkers are typically well-hidden and strategically placed to catch errant shots. Their small size and depth can make them particularly tricky to escape, requiring a controlled style of play. Links courses tend to have fewer trees, which exposes golfers to the elements, including strong winds and rain.
The coastal location of links courses contributes to their unique challenges. The lack of trees means that wind plays a significant role in gameplay, demanding low and accurate shots from golfers. Windy conditions can make it difficult to control the ball's trajectory and distance, requiring careful club selection. Links courses often feature nine holes in one direction along the coast and nine holes returning in the opposite direction, resulting in varying wind patterns throughout the round.
In addition to the natural challenges, links courses also offer impeccable views of the ocean, rolling sand dunes, and native grasses. The combination of these natural features and the unpredictable coastal weather creates a truly unique golfing experience that has played a significant role in the history of professional golf.
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Links golf requires a distinct style of play, with low and accurate shots favoured due to the windy conditions
Links golf is the oldest style of golf course, first developed in Scotland. Links courses are typically found on the coast or very near it, and are characterised by sandy soil, undulating surfaces, and dunes. Due to their coastal location, links courses are often subject to windy conditions. This distinct climate, along with the topography of the course, demands a unique style of play.
The links style of play favours a controlled approach, as the course's hazards—including uneven fairways, thick rough, and small, deep "pot bunkers"—can be challenging. The windy conditions further require golfers to flight their ball lower and use all the apron areas. In links golf, it is essential to carefully consider the club selection before taking a swing. The choice of club can vary significantly depending on the wind direction and strength.
When facing strong winds, golfers may need to shape their shots differently. One common strategy is to swing for a low ball flight to pierce through the breeze. This approach helps golfers maintain accuracy and avoid the ball being affected by gusts of wind. Windy conditions also call for low, precise shots that allow the ball to skip onto the greens.
The hard and firm surface of links courses also affects the style of play. The ball tends to run out further on links courses after landing on the fairway. As a result, players often aim to land the ball short of the green, allowing it to roll onto the green rather than targeting a direct landing. This "running" game is a distinctive feature of links golf and sets it apart from softer turf courses.
In summary, links golf requires a distinct style of play adapted to the unique characteristics of the course and the windy conditions. Golfers must embrace a controlled and strategic approach, utilising low and accurate shots to navigate the challenges presented by the links topography and climate.
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Frequently asked questions
A links golf course is the oldest style of golf course, first developed in Scotland. Links courses are generally built on sandy coastlands that offer a firmer playing surface than parkland and heathland courses.
Links golf courses are defined by their unique natural features, most notably their seaside location. These locations offer views of the ocean, rolling sand dunes, and tall grasses. The lack of trees and artificial obstacles means that the wind plays a significant role in gameplay, requiring golfers to adjust their shots based on the wind direction and speed.
The strong winds require golfers to flight their balls lower and use all the apron areas. It is extremely difficult to stop a ball on a green when there is a strong tailwind. Windy or blustery weather also calls for low, accurate shots.
Links courses remain most common in Great Britain, especially in Scotland, as well as in Ireland. Some well-known links courses outside of these countries include Pebble Beach Golf Links, Whistling Straits, Seaside Golf Course, and Ocean Forest Golf Course.
