Tackling your first links course is one of the most exciting challenges in golf, but it requires a totally different playbook than your local parkland course. Forget picture-perfect carries over water, this is about imagination, strategy, and a little bit of grit. This guide will walk you through the essential shots and mindset needed to not just survive but thrive on the classic seaside links.
Before we can figure out how to play it, we need to know what we're up against. True linksland is the sandy, undulating ground found between the sea and the more fertile farmland inland. This environment creates a unique set of playing conditions that define the experience:
In links golf, high, floating shots are invitations for disaster. The wind will grab them, toss them around, and drop them in the worst possible spot. Your number one weapon is a low, penetrating ball flight, often called a "punch" or "stinger." This is the cornerstone of surviving, and it’s simpler than you think.
Controlling trajectory is all about the setup. To hit it low, we need to deloft the club at impact without a lot of extra effort. Here’s how:
The punch shot isn't about raw power, it's about efficient contact. The swing itself is a shortened, more controlled version of your normal motion.
The whole motion is a rotation. The idea you’ve learned - that the swing moves around the body powered by the torso - is absolutely true here. As you take the club back, feel like you are keeping everything compact. It’s a much shorter backswing, maybe only to about nine or ten o'clock. The key is to feel connected, with your arms and chest turning together.
On the downswing, just rotate your body through. Don't try to help the ball up with your hands or arms. The setup has already pre-set the low trajectory. Keep your lower body quiet and focus on turning your chest through impact. Your follow-through should also be abbreviated and low - finish with the clubhead pointing at the target, no higher than your chest. trapping The feeling is one of the ball and using the rotation of your body to produce a low, compressed shot.
On firm links turf, trying to fly delicate pitch shots to the hole is a very low-percentage play. A slightly mis-hit shot can either dig in or bounce over the green. The bump and run is a much safer, more reliable way to get the ball close.
If you have open ground between you and the hole - even from 30, 40, or 50 yards out - consider the bump and run. The goal is to land the ball short of the green and let the turf do the work of carrying it to the hole. The shot itself feels more like a putting stroke than a chip.
Continuing the theme of keeping it simple, sometimes the best club from just off the green is your putter. This is especially true on links courses where the fairway fringe is cut almost as short as the green itself. Why risk a flubbed chip when you can just roll it?
Using a putter from off the green (the "Texas Wedge") removes the possibility of a terrible mistake caused by a chunk or a thin. The only adjustment is in your mind. You'll need to give the putt a firmer rap to get it through the slightly taller grass of the fringe. Read the break as best you can and commit to a positive stroke. You’ll be amazed at how often you get it closer than you would have with a wedge.
Deep, turf-walled pot bunkers are a signature feature of links golf, and they demand respect. The number one rule of pot bunker play is this: your first priority is to just get out. Hero shots that try to get to the green often result in the ball hitting the steep face and rolling right back to your feet.
The wind is not your enemy, it's a feature of the course. Learning to use it is a game-changer.
Links golf calls for a different kind of game - one that favors imagination and grit over raw power. By learning to control your trajectory, using the firm ground to your advantage, and respecting the weather, you'll be well-equipped to handle the challenge. It’s an exercise in creative problem-solving on every shot.
When you're out on the course, staring into a stiff crosswind or looking at a nasty lie, the biggest challenge can be committing to a shot. We developed our app, Caddie AI, to serve as that confident second opinion right in your pocket. It's designed to give you instant, strategic advice, helping you analyze the situation and find the smartest play so you can navigate the unique challenges of a links course with a clear plan.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
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