What Are Golf Links? A Guide to Coastal Courses

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Quick answer

• Golf links are courses built on sandy soil along coastlines, defined by natural terrain and wind.
• They typically feature dunes, natural grasses, and few trees, offering a raw golfing experience.
• The term “links” comes from Old English, meaning sandy ground between the sea and inland areas.

Who this is for

• Golfers keen to understand the roots and character of traditional golf.
• Anyone planning a golf trip and wanting to spot those classic coastal vibes.

What to check first

• Location, location, location: Is the course right on the coast or built on naturally sandy ground?
• Terrain talk: Does the course description mention wind, dunes, and wild grasses?
• Tree-free zone: Look for a lack of heavy tree cover or man-made water hazards.
• The “Links” Label: See if the course itself uses the term “links” to describe its style.

Understanding Golf Links: A Deep Dive

Step-by-step plan for understanding golf links

1. Research the etymology: Look up the origin of the word “links.”

• What to look for: Its Old English roots, specifically meaning sandy ground near the sea. This is the fundamental definition.
• Mistake to avoid: Thinking it just means a course that happens to be near water. Proximity is good, but the type of ground is key.

2. Identify key geographical features: Get a feel for what “linksland” actually looks like.

• What to look for: Sandy soil, rolling dunes, proximity to the ocean, and hardy, natural grasses like fescue and marram. Think raw, natural beauty.
• Mistake to avoid: Expecting the manicured perfection of a parkland course. Links courses are about embracing the natural landscape, not fighting it.

3. Examine typical golf course design elements: See how the land shapes the play.

• What to look for: Undulating fairways that create uneven lies, challenging pot bunkers carved into the sand, firm and fast greens that reward good ball-striking, and a distinct lack of trees.
• Mistake to avoid: Hunting for those familiar tree-lined fairways. They’re usually absent on true links.

4. Consider the wind’s role: Understand how the elements dictate the game.

• What to look for: Descriptions that highlight wind as a major factor, influencing shot selection and strategy. It’s not just a breeze; it’s a character.
• Mistake to avoid: Underestimating the impact of wind on a links course. It’s arguably the most significant defense the course has.

5. Check for natural hazards: See how the environment creates challenges.

• What to look for: Natural contours, gorse, heather, and the sea itself as hazards. These are part of the course’s natural defense.
• Mistake to avoid: Expecting lots of artificial water hazards or perfectly manicured sand traps that aren’t integrated into the dunes.

6. Note the turf conditions: Feel the difference underfoot.

• What to look for: Firm, well-drained turf that allows for running shots, creative shot-making, and firm bounces. This is a hallmark of links golf.
• Mistake to avoid: Assuming all courses will have soft, lush fairways. Links turf is built for drainage and resilience.

7. Look at the bunkering style: Pot bunkers are a classic.

• What to look for: Deep, steep-sided bunkers that are often challenging to escape. They are typically dug into the sandy terrain.
• Mistake to avoid: Thinking any sandy bunker counts. True links pot bunkers are distinctive in their form and placement.

8. Absence of irrigation as a feature: Many older links rely on natural rainfall.

• What to look for: Courses that emphasize their natural drainage and resilience rather than heavy reliance on watering.
• Mistake to avoid: Expecting perfectly green, watered fairways everywhere. Links land is designed to drain.

The Essence of Golf Links: More Than Just Seaside

What defines a true golf links course?

So, you’re curious about what makes a golf course a “links” course. It’s more than just being near the ocean, though that’s a huge clue. At its heart, a links course is defined by its unique geographical foundation: sandy soil. This isn’t just any sandy soil; it’s typically found along coastlines, the natural “links” between the sea and the firmer, inland ground. The term itself, originating from Old English, points to this specific type of terrain.

These courses are shaped by nature, not by heavy landscaping. Think rolling dunes, natural grasses that can withstand salty air and wind, and an open, exposed feel. The wind is a constant companion, a player in its own right, dictating strategy and making every round a fresh challenge. You won’t find many trees here, and water hazards are usually limited to the sea itself. The fairways are often firm and fast, allowing for running shots and a ground game that’s a bit different from parkland courses. The greens can be tricky, with subtle breaks and firm surfaces that demand a delicate touch.

When you book a tee time at a course labeled “links,” you’re signing up for a game that’s deeply connected to the elements and the history of golf. It’s a test of adaptability, ball control, and strategic thinking, all set against a backdrop of wild, coastal beauty. I remember playing my first true links course in Scotland – the wind was howling, the gorse was everywhere, and I felt like I was playing golf as it was meant to be, raw and challenging.

Common mistakes in identifying golf links

• Mistake: Assuming any course near the sea is a true links course.
• Why it matters: Many beautiful seaside courses are designed in a parkland or resort style, with manicured fairways, abundant trees, and artificial lakes. They might have coastal views, but they lack the fundamental linksland terrain and natural character.
• Fix: Verify the underlying terrain. Is it naturally sandy? Are there dunes? Is the course exposed to the wind? Look for descriptions that emphasize these natural features.
• Mistake: Expecting abundant trees and water hazards.
• Why it matters: True links courses are naturally exposed to the elements and often have minimal tree cover or inland water features. The natural landscape is the hazard.
• Fix: Focus on the raw, open landscape shaped by wind and sea. Embrace the lack of trees and appreciate how the natural contours and vegetation create challenges.
• Mistake: Overlooking the role of wind.
• Why it matters: Wind is a defining characteristic of links golf, significantly impacting club selection, shot trajectory, and strategy. It can turn an easy hole into a brute.
• Fix: Acknowledge and factor in wind as a primary, ever-present element of the challenge. Learn to read the wind and adjust your game accordingly.
• Mistake: Confusing “links” with simply having sandy bunkers.
• Why it matters: While pot bunkers are a common and iconic feature of traditional links courses, the defining characteristic is the sandy soil of the entire course and the natural terrain it creates.
• Fix: Look at the overall terrain, drainage, and the natural formation of the land. The sandy soil is the foundation, not just the bunkers.
• Mistake: Thinking links courses are always flat.
• Why it matters: Linksland is naturally undulating with dunes, creating uneven lies, challenging approaches, and unique shot opportunities. Flat courses are rarely true links.
• Fix: Embrace the natural contours and prepare for shots from unpredictable stances. It’s part of the charm and the challenge.
• Mistake: Believing all links courses are old and traditional.
• Why it matters: While many classic links are centuries old, modern courses are also designed in the links style, utilizing sandy soil and coastal environments to replicate that authentic feel.
• Fix: Focus on the design principles and terrain rather than just the age of the course.

FAQ

• What is the primary difference between a links course and a parkland course?
• Links courses are built on sandy coastal soil with natural dunes and wind, offering firm and fast conditions and a raw, natural challenge. Parkland courses are typically inland, feature more trees, manicured fairways, lush turf, and often have more artificial water hazards and a more controlled environment.
• Are all golf courses by the sea considered links courses?
• No. While proximity to the sea is a strong indicator, a true links course must be built on natural linksland – characterized by sandy soil, dunes, and exposure to the elements. Many seaside courses are designed in a parkland style with coastal views but without the underlying links terrain.
• What are the defining geographical features of linksland?
• Linksland is characterized by sandy soil, natural dunes, sparse vegetation (like marram grass and heather), and significant exposure to coastal winds. It’s essentially the natural landscape found between the shore and the established inland terrain.
• Why is wind such a big deal on a links course?
• Links courses are open and exposed, meaning the wind is a constant factor that dramatically affects ball flight, club selection, and shot strategy. It’s not just a nuisance; it’s an integral part of the course’s defense and character, requiring players to adapt their game significantly.
• Do all true links courses have pot bunkers?
• Pot bunkers are a very common and iconic feature of traditional links courses, often deep and steep-sided, carved into the sandy terrain. They are a hallmark of the style, but the defining feature is the linksland itself, not just the presence of pot bunkers.
• Can a course be both links and parkland?
• It’s rare for a course to be truly both. Some courses might incorporate elements of both styles, perhaps a few holes with a links feel near the coast and others more parkland-like further inland. However, a pure links course is defined by its natural coastal environment and sandy soil.
• What kind of grass is typically found on a links course?
• Links courses usually feature hardy, resilient grasses like fescue, bentgrass, and marram grass. These grasses are well-suited to sandy soil, thrive in windy conditions, and contribute to the firm and fast playing surfaces.