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Golf Course Strategy: Understanding Links Courses

ByMichael Reeves

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Course Management & Strategy


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Quick Answer

  • Links courses are rugged, coastal golf tracks built on sandy soil with undulating terrain and minimal trees.
  • Wind is king here; it dictates everything from club selection to strategy.
  • Expect firm ground, bouncy lies, and a unique “out and back” layout.

Who This Is For

  • Golfers who want to conquer coastal courses or classic layouts that feel raw and natural.
  • Anyone preparing for a trip abroad or a tournament that features this distinct style of golf.

What to Check First for Links Course Play

  • Wind Forecast: Seriously, check this. Speed and direction are your new best friends.
  • Course Routing: Most links courses play out and then back. Knowing this helps you anticipate wind shifts.
  • Ground Conditions: Expect firm fairways and greens. The ball will run. Embrace it.
  • Bunker Placement: Links bunkers are often deep, sandy pits. They demand respect.
  • Grass Type: Usually hardy fescue or ryegrass. It’s built for the coast and plays firm.

Mastering What is a Links Course: Strategy and Tactics

Step-by-Step Plan for Links Course Strategy

1. Assess Wind Direction and Strength.

  • Action: Before you even step on the tee, and between every shot, feel the wind. Watch the flags. Ask the locals.
  • What to look for: Is it a true headwind, a screaming crosswind, or a helpful tailwind? How many clubs are you likely moving?
  • Mistake to avoid: Ignoring the wind. This is the cardinal sin on a links course. You’ll be sending balls into the next county.

2. Choose Appropriate Clubs.

  • Action: Adjust your club selection based on the wind’s intensity and direction.
  • What to look for: Into the wind, you’ll need more club, but more importantly, you’ll want a lower, penetrating ball flight. Downwind, you might take one less club, but be aware of the extra roll-out.
  • Mistake to avoid: Sticking to your standard yardage charts. They’re useless here without wind factored in. A 7-iron into a gale might fly like a pitching wedge.

3. Prioritize Fairway Accuracy.

  • Action: Aim for the widest part of the fairway, even if it means a longer second shot.
  • What to look for: Links fairways are often contoured and can funnel errant shots into deep rough or gorse. A good lie is gold.
  • Mistake to avoid: Trying to take aggressive shortcuts or play hero shots. The penalty for missing the fairway is usually severe.

4. Embrace the Bump-and-Run.

  • Action: Practice and employ low, running shots into and around the greens, especially when the ground is firm.
  • What to look for: This shot uses the contours of the ground to get the ball close. It stays under the wind and is much more controllable.
  • Mistake to avoid: Trying to fly every approach shot onto the green with a high trajectory. The wind will tear those shots apart, and they’ll likely come up short or wide.

5. Adapt Your Putting Game.

  • Action: Be prepared for greens that are often firm, fast, and undulating.
  • What to look for: Your putts will roll out further than you expect. Learn to judge the speed based on the slope and the firmness of the surface.
  • Mistake to avoid: Hitting your putts too hard or too soft. Getting too frustrated with the roll; it’s part of the challenge of Understanding Links Golf Courses: Characteristics and Play.

6. Understand the “Out and Back” Routing.

  • Action: Familiarize yourself with the course layout before you play.
  • What to look for: Most links courses play out along the coast for nine holes and then return, meaning the wind direction you faced on the way out might be the opposite on the way back.
  • Mistake to avoid: Assuming the wind will stay consistent throughout your round. It rarely does on a true links.

7. Manage Your Expectations and Stay Patient.

  • Action: Accept that links golf is different. Embrace the challenge and the unique bounces.
  • What to look for: Moments of brilliance mixed with frustrating bounces are normal. A good attitude is your best caddie.
  • Mistake to avoid: Getting angry or discouraged by unpredictable lies or wind gusts. This is Exploring Links Golf Courses: Characteristics and Challenges, after all.

Common Mistakes

  • Playing too aggressively — Trying to force shots or take on too much risk often leads to missed fairways, lost balls, and big numbers. — Focus on solid, controlled shots, prioritize position, and let pars come to you.
  • Ignoring the wind — This is the most common and costly error. Your ball will travel significantly further left or right, or not reach its intended target. — Always factor wind speed and direction into your club selection and aim.
  • Hitting high shots — A high ball flight is a kite in the wind. It’s easily affected by gusts and loses significant distance. — Focus on a lower, more penetrating trajectory that cuts through the wind.
  • Failing to read the ground — Links courses are shaped by nature. Undulations, firm turf, and uneven lies are the norm. — Study the ground before you hit. Let the contours help or hinder your shot, and adjust your aim accordingly.
  • Over-reliance on yardage markers — While useful, GPS and yardage books don’t account for wind, ground conditions, or the bounce your ball will take. — Use your rangefinder, but always trust your assessment of the wind and the lie more.
  • Not practicing low shots — Many golfers are accustomed to hitting high approaches. This doesn’t work on links courses. — Spend time practicing your bump-and-run, low chips, and controlled drives.
  • Getting frustrated with bounces — The firm, sandy turf can lead to unpredictable bounces, especially off the fairway or around the green. — Accept that these are part of the game. Learn to adapt and recover.

FAQ

  • What are the defining characteristics of a links golf course?

Links golf courses are typically situated on sandy coastal land, characterized by their natural, rugged terrain, sparse vegetation (often featuring gorse and heather), and a significant influence from the wind. Unlike parkland courses, they usually have few trees and feature firm, fast fairways and greens due to the sandy subsoil and hardy grasses like fescue and ryegrass. [1]

  • How does wind significantly impact play on a links course?

The wind is arguably the most dominant factor on a links course. It can drastically alter the trajectory, distance, and direction of your shots. A strong headwind can add many yards to your club selection, while a crosswind can push your ball considerably off-line. Players must learn to play a lower, more controlled ball flight and constantly adjust their aim and club choice based on the prevailing breeze. [2]

  • What is the typical routing of a links course?

Most traditional links courses are designed with an “out and back” routing. This means the holes generally play away from the clubhouse for the first nine holes, and then return towards the clubhouse for the back nine. This design often means that the wind conditions experienced on the outward journey might be reversed on the inward journey, requiring strategic adjustments throughout the round.

  • Are there specific types of grass found on links courses?

Yes, links courses typically feature hardy, resilient grasses that thrive in coastal environments and sandy soil. Fescue and ryegrass are common choices. These grasses contribute to the firm and fast playing surfaces that are a hallmark of links golf, allowing the ball to roll and bounce significantly.

  • Should I use different equipment for a links course?

While you don’t necessarily need a completely new set of clubs, it’s beneficial to have options for controlling your ball flight. A club with a lower loft, such as a driving iron, strong 3-wood, or even a utility club, can be invaluable for hitting low, piercing shots into the wind. Additionally, wedges that perform well on firm turf can be helpful for chip shots and approaches.

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