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What Are Links Style Golf Courses

ByMichael Reeves

← Golf Lifestyle & Culture | Golf Travel & Destinations


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Quick Answer

  • Links golf courses are coastal layouts, usually built on sandy soil near the sea. They’re the original golf terrain.
  • Expect undulating fairways, deep pot bunkers that’ll swallow your ball, and firm, fast greens that demand precision.
  • The wind is your constant companion – and sometimes your worst enemy. Mastering it is key to scoring well.

Who This Is For

  • Golfers who want to understand the roots of the game and appreciate different course architectures. It’s like knowing your history.
  • Anyone planning a pilgrimage to classic golf destinations in Scotland, Ireland, or other coastal regions. You don’t want to be surprised.
  • Players looking to sharpen their skills, especially their ball-striking and wind-management game. Links golf will test you.

What to Check First for Links Golf Courses

  • Location, Location, Location: Is the course situated right on the coast, often with the sea visible from most holes? This is the number one indicator. Many true links are built on land between the sea and established communities.
  • The Wind Factor: What are the prevailing wind conditions? Links courses are notoriously windy, and this isn’t just a gentle breeze; it’s a significant force that shapes strategy and shot selection. Check local weather patterns or course reviews for wind trends.
  • Soil Composition: Links courses are built on sandy soil, which provides excellent drainage. This is why they can be played year-round, even after heavy rain. If the course is known for being firm and fast, it’s likely built on sand.
  • Natural Terrain: Look for rolling, natural contours in the fairways and land. Links courses are typically built with the landscape, not against it. You won’t find many perfectly flat lies or perfectly manicured, sculpted fairways.
  • Vegetation: Trees are usually scarce on authentic links courses. Instead, you’ll find natural dune grasses, gorse, and heather lining the fairways and rough. This lack of trees also contributes to the wind’s impact.

Understanding Links Style Golf: A Step-by-Step Approach

Links golf is where the game began, and understanding its essence is crucial for enjoying the challenge. It’s not just about where the course is, but how it’s built and how it plays. Think of it as stepping back in time to the game’s rawest form.

1. Action: Research the historical origins of links golf.

What to look for: Early golf being played on coastal common land, often by shepherds and farmers. The term “links” itself comes from the Old English word “hlinc,” meaning a ridge or mound, referring to the sandy terrain found along coastlines. These were not purpose-built courses in the modern sense, but areas of land shaped by nature and used for recreation.
Mistake: Assuming links golf is a modern architectural concept. It’s actually the oldest style of golf course design.

2. Action: Identify the typical course features that define links golf.

What to look for: Undulating fairways that are firm and fast, often leading to challenging lies. Deep, severe pot bunkers with steep faces are a hallmark, designed to penalize errant shots. You’ll also notice a distinct lack of trees, with natural dune grasses, heather, and gorse forming the rough and defining the boundaries.
Mistake: Expecting tree-lined fairways, perfectly manicured rough, or gentle slopes. Links courses are rugged and natural, embracing the elements.

3. Action: Understand the profound role of the wind.

What to look for: How the wind affects ball flight, requiring players to adjust their club selection, trajectory, and aim. Gusts can change dramatically from hole to hole and even shot to shot. It’s not just a factor; it’s a primary strategic element that dictates how you play.
Mistake: Treating the wind as a minor inconvenience. On a links course, the wind is a constant, powerful force that can add or subtract significant distance and accuracy from your shots. You must learn to play with it, not against it.

4. Action: Examine the construction and characteristics of the greens.

What to look for: Greens that are typically firm, fast, and often raised or built up to ensure excellent drainage. They may have subtle breaks and contours that are amplified by the firm conditions. You’ll often find that the ball will run rather than stop dead on approach.
Mistake: Expecting soft, receptive greens that hold every shot. Links greens are designed to be challenging, often requiring a running approach or precise chip and run rather than a high lofted shot.

5. Action: Consider the turf and ground conditions.

What to look for: The turf on a links course is usually firm, resilient, and can be quite bouncy. The sandy subsoil means it drains exceptionally well, allowing for playability in most weather. This firmness affects how the ball rolls and bounces.
Mistake: Anticipating lush, forgiving turf like you might find on an inland parkland course. Links turf is often shorter, denser, and plays firmer, demanding solid ball-striking to get under the ball properly.

6. Action: Evaluate the strategic demands of playing links golf.

What to look for: Opportunities to use the ground game – running shots up to the green, using slopes to feed the ball closer to the hole, and playing low, controlled shots into the wind. Course management involves anticipating the wind’s direction and strength on each hole.
Mistake: Trying to play the same game you play on a parkland course. High, lofted shots are often punished by the wind and can run through firm greens. Adaptability is key.

Exploring the Unique Characteristics of Links Golf Courses

The allure of links golf lies in its raw, elemental nature and its deep connection to the history of the game. Unlike the manicured perfection often found on inland courses, links layouts embrace the wildness of their coastal environments. This creates a unique set of challenges and rewards that test every facet of a golfer’s game. The very essence of what are links golf courses is tied to their natural setting and the demands that setting places on strategy and execution.

The sandy soil, a defining feature, is crucial. It provides unparalleled drainage, allowing these courses to remain playable even during periods of heavy rain that would render many other courses unplayable. This firm, fast ground conditions mean that the ball will roll and bounce significantly, both on the fairways and on the greens. Learning to play a “bump and run” shot, or to use the slopes of the fairways to guide your ball towards the hole, becomes an essential skill. It’s a far cry from the soft, receptive surfaces of parkland courses where you can often “throw darts” at the flag. On a links course, you’re more likely to be plotting your way to the green, using the ground to your advantage.

The absence of trees is another significant characteristic. While trees can provide windbreaks and frame holes on parkland courses, their scarcity on links layouts means that wind becomes the dominant factor. It’s not uncommon to face crosswinds, headwinds, or even tailwinds that dramatically alter club selection and shot trajectory. A hole that might play as a mid-iron into the green on a calm day could require a driver or a strong fairway wood if the wind is howling against you. This constant battle with the elements forces players to think creatively and develop a feel for controlling the flight of their ball.

The deep pot bunkers are more than just hazards; they are strategic elements designed to punish aggressive or errant play. Their steep faces and deep contours can make escaping them a challenge in itself, often requiring a specialized technique to get the ball back into play. These bunkers are not simply dug into the ground; they are often formed by the natural dunes and sand formations, adding to the rugged aesthetic of the course.

Common Mistakes Playing Links Style Golf

  • Mistake: Underestimating the wind’s power and inconsistency.

Why it matters: The wind is the most significant factor on a links course. It can easily add or subtract 20-30 yards from a shot, and a sudden gust can completely change the ball’s flight. Ignoring it or playing “normal” shots will lead to frustration and high scores.
Fix: Learn to play low, controlled shots that stay under the wind’s influence. Practice shaping shots (draws and fades) to counter the wind’s direction. Always assess the wind for your target line and club selection before you hit.

  • Mistake: Expecting soft, receptive greens that hold every approach shot.

Why it matters: Links greens are typically firm and fast due to the sandy soil and excellent drainage. Balls landing on them can bounce unpredictably or roll off the putting surface, making approach shots much more difficult than they appear.
Fix: Focus on hitting crisp, firm shots and practice putting on firm surfaces. Consider playing approach shots with a bit more run-up, utilizing the contours of the fairway to feed the ball onto the green. Accept that the ball won’t stop on a dime.

  • Mistake: Playing too many high, lofted shots.

Why it matters: High trajectory shots are highly susceptible to wind, making them difficult to control. They can be blown off course or travel much further than intended. On firm greens, they also tend to bounce and roll off the sides.
Fix: Prioritize lower trajectory shots, especially into the wind. Learn to use less lofted clubs for approach shots when appropriate, and practice the “punch shot” or a controlled draw to keep the ball flight down.

  • Mistake: Ignoring the natural contours and slopes of the land.

Why it matters: Links courses are built with the land, not against it. Fighting the natural slopes of the fairways and greens will often lead to poor lies, difficult recovery shots, and missed putts.
Fix: Embrace the terrain. Learn to use the slopes to your advantage, letting them feed your ball closer to the hole or guide your approach shots. Reading the ground is as important as reading the wind.

  • Mistake: Not adjusting your strategy for the firm fairways and bouncy lies.

Why it matters: The firm nature of links fairways means that even well-struck shots can take unexpected bounces or roll much further than expected. You might find yourself with a longer approach shot than anticipated, or a difficult lie in the rough.
Fix: Be prepared for the ball to roll. Consider hitting a club or two more on your drives to take advantage of the roll, and be aware that your second shot might be from a less-than-ideal spot if you don’t account for the bounce.

  • Mistake: Underestimating the challenge of pot bunkers.

Why it matters: These deep, steep-sided bunkers can be incredibly difficult to escape, often requiring a specialized technique to get the clubface under the ball and propel it out. A bad bunker shot can quickly derail a hole.
Fix: Practice bunker shots with a focus on getting the clubhead to slide under the ball, aiming for the sand behind the ball. Learn to assess the lie and the steepness of the face to choose the right club and swing.

FAQ

  • What is the primary difference between links and parkland golf courses?

Links courses are coastal, characterized by sandy soil, natural terrain, undulating fairways, deep pot bunkers, and a significant influence of wind. Parkland courses are typically inland, more manicured, often tree-lined, with softer turf and more emphasis on water hazards and sculpted landscapes.

  • Are all golf courses by the sea considered links courses?

Not necessarily. While proximity to the sea is a defining characteristic, true links courses also share specific design elements like sandy soil, natural terrain, and a lack of trees. Some coastal courses are designed in a parkland style and lack the authentic links feel.

  • How does the wind affect strategy on a links golf course?

The wind is a major strategic element. It dictates club selection, shot trajectory, and even the line you take to the hole. You have to constantly account for its strength and direction, often playing lower, more controlled shots to keep the ball from being blown off course.

  • What are “pot bunkers”?

These are deep, steep-sided bunkers common on links courses. They are often small in diameter but can be very penalizing due to their depth and the difficulty of escaping them, requiring a specific technique.

  • Should I bring more clubs for a links course?

You likely won’t need more clubs, but you’ll use a wider range of them. The key is proficiency with clubs from your driving irons up to your wedges for various wind conditions and shot types. You’ll be hitting everything from low stingers to well-struck mid-irons and needing to master the running approach.

  • What is the best way to approach a firm, fast green on a links course?

Instead of trying to hit a high, soft shot that stops quickly (which is difficult on a links course), focus on hitting a firm, controlled shot that lands on the front of the green or just short of it and uses the contours to roll onto the putting surface. This “bump and run” or “chip and run” is a classic links technique.

  • How does the sandy soil of links courses impact the game?

The sandy soil provides excellent drainage, allowing the course to remain firm and playable year-round. This firmness means the ball will roll and bounce more on fairways and greens. It also contributes to the unique texture of the turf, which is often resilient and firm rather than soft and spongy.

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