Ever heard a golfer talk about playing a true links with a special reverence in their voice? It's not just another word for a golf course. Links golf represents the game in its rawest, most historic form, a style of play a world away from the manicured, tree-lined fairways you might be used to seeing. This article will show you exactly what makes a golf course a links, how to spot its unique traits, and most importantly, how to play this special kind of golf with confidence.
In the simplest terms, a links is a golf course built on a specific type of coastline. The word itself comes from Old Scottish and describes the sandy, undulating, and windswept strip of land that "links" the sea to the more fertile farmland further inland. This land wasn't suitable for growing crops, so it was left as common land, perfect for early Scots to invent a game involving hitting a ball with a stick toward a hole.
Golf was literally born on this type of terrain. These early courses weren’t "designed" by architects with bulldozers, they were discovered. The routing of the holes followed the natural contours of the land, with greens sitting in hollows and fairways winding between dunes. This natural and historic origin is why playing a links course feels like stepping back in time - it is the original version of the game.
To really understand what separates a links from other courses, you need to know its defining characteristics. These elements aren't just aesthetic, they profoundly influence how you must play the game.
Because links land is built on a base of sand, it drains exceptionally well. The soil is thin, and the common grasses, like fescues and bentgrass, grow low to resist the wind. The result is a turf that is firm and fast, almost like a carpet laid over hard ground.
What does this mean for your game? It means the ground is your friend... and sometimes your enemy. Your drives will get incredible amounts of roll-out, sometimes running an extra 50 yards or more. But it also means you can’t simply fly a high shot to the pin and expect it to stop. You must account for how the ball will bounce and run, often landing your approach shots well short of the green to let them release toward the flag.
Forget the sprawling, shallow sand traps you see on typical parkland courses. Links bunkers are different. They are generally small, deep, and menacing, which is why they’re called "pot bunkers." Many have steep, sod-walled faces that can be taller than you are.
Historically, these bunkers weren't placed by a a course designer, they were formed when the wind scoured out sandy depressions, and sheep would huddle in them to escape the elements, further eroding their edges. Their primary purpose is to be a harsh penalty. Your goal when entering a pot bunker is often just to get out - sometimes that means hitting sideways or even backwards. Trying to be a hero and go for the green from a tough spot is a quick way to write a big number on your scorecard.
Links courses are characterized by constant movement in the ground. Fairways rise and fall, often leading to blind tee shots where you can't see the landing area. The fairways are dotted with humps, lumps, and hollows that can send a perfectly struck shot careening off-line or leave you with an awkward lie.
You’ll rarely get a perfectly flat stance. Learning to play with the ball above your feet, below your feet, on an uphill lie, or a downhill lie is a fundamental skill in links golf. This uneven ground demands creativity and an acceptance that you won't always get the bounce you deserve. It’s part of the enduring challenge.
If there is one defining challenge of links golf, it’s the wind. Situated next to the sea, these open landscapes are completely exposed to the elements. The wind is not a rare occurrence, it's a constant factor that can strengthen or switch direction in the middle of your round. On some days, a hole that played as a drive and a wedge can become a driver and a 3-wood. Learning to control your ball flight - to hit it lower and with less spin to bore through the wind - is absolutely essential.
Because of the sandy soil and persistent salty wind, trees don't grow well on links land. The course is wide open, with panoramas of the sea and surrounding landscape. While this lack of trees might make it seem "easier," the course’s a defense is something far more vexing: the combination of wind, bunkers, and brutal rough.
Instead of trees, the primary trouble waiting off the fairways are thick gorse bushes and long, wispy fescue grass. Gorse is a prickly, thorny bush that seems to swallow golf balls whole. Finding your ball in gorse is lucky, having a playable shot is almost unheard of. The fescue rough is just as penal. It tangles around the clubhead, making it very difficult to get solid contact and advance the ball very far.
The term "links" is often misused, which leads to a lot of confusion. Let’s clear a couple of things up.
Myth 1: "Any course by the ocean is a links."
Many fantastic courses are located on the coast but are not true links courses. Courses like Pebble Beach, for example, are magnificent "clifftop" or "seaside" courses. However, they are built on heavier, clay-based soil and feature the lush grass, high-flying aerial approach shots, and trees that are markers of a parkland-style design, not a links.
Myth 2: "Links-style means it's a true links."
You may hear of an inland course being described as "links-style." This means the architect has tried to copy some of the traditional features - firm fairways, fescue grasses, pot bunkers, and an open layout. While these courses can be a lot of fun, they lack the one non-negotiable ingredient: the authentic, sandy soil connecting the sea and the farmland.
Playing a links course for the first time can be intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. As a coach, I tell all my students to shift their mindset. You're not playing "perfect" golf, you're playing "smart" golf. Here’s how:
A links course is more than just a place to play golf - it's a connection to the very origins of the sport. It's about clever strategy over brute force, adapting to the elements, and accepting the unpredictable bounces. By understanding its unique land, features, and the style of play it demands, you can confidently take on this purest test in golf and have an unforgettable experience.
Tackling an unfamiliar links layout can be tough, especially when the wind is gusting and blind hazards are everywhere. Using an AI-powered tool right on your phone gives your a huge advantage. From providing you with a smart tee-to-green strategy on a complicated hole, to giving on-the-spot tips for hitting out of deep fescue or a tricky pot bunker (you can even snap a photo of your lie), we built Caddie AI to be your personal course expert. It helps you make smarter decisions so you can spend less time guessing and more time enjoying golf’s greatest challenge.
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