Links golf refers to courses that are located on the coast, characterized by sandy soil, an open layout and few trees and water hazards. Because they’re often found near oceans, wind is often a major factor on links courses.
Golf actually originated on links courses — the simplicity of its design made it easy for architects to create them without overhauling the land. The name originates from Scotland, where links golf first came from.
Characteristics of Links Golf
Several different factors define links golf.
Uneven Fairways
Slanting, damp fairways are central characteristics of links golf. You may be hitting off some sort of slope even if you had a great shot off the tee.
Thick Rough
One of the unique characteristics you’ll find on a links course is the thick rough. Deep, dry and sometimes nearly impossible to get out of, this rough can quickly change the trajectory of your round.
Hard Ground
Many links courses often have a lack of moisture, making the ground very hard. In some ways, this may be a hindrance to many golfers who are used to the soft, fully-watered fairways commonly found in the United States. However, it can also work to your advantage — you’ll be able to putt from far off the green on the dry, flat land on the links.
Pot Bunkers
Links courses have deep, rounded bunkers known as pot bunkers. You’ll want to make sure to avoid these bunkers, as getting out of them will be much more challenging than getting out of your average bunker. Sometimes you may even have to chip out sideways just to escape. Even the pros have trouble maneuvering a deep pot bunker.
Wind
Since links courses are often found along the coast, the wind can be a major factor. As many golfers know, you can deal with a lot of elements when it comes to golf — heat, rain — but when you introduce wind the game completely changes. You lose control of the ball and need to hit near-perfect shots just to get in the spot you want.
Golfers who hit low, accurate shots will benefit on these courses.
Outward and Inward Designs
Links courses follow unique designs: the first nine holes go away from the clubhouse and the last nine holes come back. The first nine is known as the “outward” nine and the last nine are known as the “inward” nine.
This way, players will have to face each direction of the wind during an 18-hole round.
Benefits of Links Golf
Many golfers find links golf very difficult to play. It differs greatly from the more modern courses that many players of today are used to. Some players enjoy playing links courses, as it plays to their talents or tastes. Here are some of the benefits of links golf.
Simplicity
Few trees, an open layout — in some ways, links golf offers a clear simplicity that may appeal to many golfers. You probably won’t have to deal with too many dog legs or shots around forests of trees.
Fast Fairways
Because of the arid nature of the links course, your drives will likely run far. When you’re off the green, you’ll probably still be able to putt from the fairway.
Famous Links Courses
Many links courses exist today and are renowned for their difficulty and history.
The Old Course at St Andrews
One of the best examples of a links course is the Old Course at St Andrews. It’s one of the oldest golf courses in existence — some say it’s where golf actually originated — and it holds all the classic characteristics of a links course. Play here and you’ll likely encounter rain squalls, bursts of wind and a treeless landscape.
Whistling Straits
Links courses are often thought of as an exclusively European type of course, but over the years the United States has continued to add its own venues to the list. Whistling Straits is a prominent links course located in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Located along Lake Michigan, this course is home to windy conditions and was also the site of the 2020 Ryder Cup.
Many remember the remarkable shot from Jordan Spieth, who hit a ball nearly 90 degrees to send it up and over a cliff onto the green. In the meantime, he had nearly run himself into the lake. The crowd went wild, and from there, Americans would take a commanding lead in the tournament.
Royal Adelaide Golf Club
Located in Australia, this course is a true links course, dotted with deep bunkers, fir trees and rolling fairways.
How Should You Play Links Courses?
If you’ve never played a links course before or have been struggling with them, there are a few ways you can try to tidy up your game and make it a bit easier.
Swing Easy
Many players golfing in strong winds tend to try to swing hard, attempting to power their ball through Mother Nature to where they want it go. This is usually a futile strategy — once your ball gets into the air, the wind can do whatever it wants with it.
Swinging hard only serves to make you more liable to hit the ball poorly, leading to frustration and exacerbating your situation.
Instead, swing smooth and easy. Know your spot, factor in the wind and swing with soft confidence. All you can do is swing as well as you can. If you can do that, then you’ve beaten the wind.
Play Low
Many players who hit low shots excel on links courses. They’re able to get beneath the wind and have more control over where their ball goes. If you feel comfortable with it, try hitting those flatter shots that can bounce and roll up onto the green.
Putting Is Your Friend
When you get close to the green, don’t be afraid to pull out your putter. On some links courses, you may be able to putt from fifty or more yards out. The fairway is dry and flat, and you can putt yourself up near the hole with the right shot. If you don’t have a lot of faith in your chipping game, pull out your putter on these links courses and have a day.
Use Hybrids
Hybrids work great on links courses. You can hit them better off the hard, dry ground of links courses and their trajectory is often lower to the ground, giving you a better chance of countering the wind.
Avoid Anything But the Fairway
Easier said than done. This is about the most basic rule of golf, except we find it exceedingly difficult. It’s even harder on a links course, and much more challenging — many links courses have great forests of roughs and bunkers as deep as ocean trenches.
Base your golfing strategy around safety and do whatever you can to stay in the fairway. Links courses demand caution — use discretion when hitting on these courses.
Bump and Run
The bump and run is a staple of the links course. Many see this technique as a dying breed but it is still very popular on links courses. Instead of the high, steep flop shots uses on traditional courses, players on links courses can chip a ball well short of the green and watch it roll towards the hole.