Imagine golf stripped down to its rawest form, where the landscape is the main character and even a perfectly struck shot is at the mercy of the elements. That’s the heart of links golf. This guide will walk you through what defines a true links course, from a heaving fairways to its deep pot bunkers, and give you the essential strategies you’ll need to not just survive, but truly enjoy this historic form of the game.
The term "links" comes from Old English, meaning a ridge or rising ground, and historically referred to the sandy, undulating, and un-farmable-land that connected the sea to the fertile agricultural ground inland. It's on this specific type of coastline, starting in Scotland, where golf was born. A true links course isn't just a course by the ocean, it's a specific geographical and architectural style defined by a few key characteristics.
This is the foundation of it all. Links land is built on a deep base of sand, which allows for incredible drainage. Rainwater passes through quickly, meaning the turf rarely gets soft or waterlogged. The result? Insanely firm and fast-running fairways. Unlike lush, green parkland courses where your drive might a plug, in links golf your ball will land and then roll... and roll... and roll. Think of it like a this: a parkland course is like dropping a ball onto a thick, plush carpet. A links course is like dropping it on a hardwood floor. This changes everything about how you plan a shot.
Early links courses weren’t "designed" in the modern sense, they were found. The architects' job was simply to discover the routing through the existing dunes and valleys gifted by nature. They moved very little earth. The strange mounds, sweeping hollows, and unique shapes of the land are all natural. This means no two links holes are alike, and each course possesses a personality that feels a deeply rooted and timeless.
Part of the charm of links golf is its playful deception. Those fast surfaces and natural curves can send a shot that looks perfect careening into trouble. And the trouble is serious. Links golf is the home of the dreaded pot bunker. These aren't the wide, friendly bunkers you see on your home course. A they're small, deep, and often have steep, turf-covered faces. Landing in one isn't just an inconvenience, it can be a full-shot penalty. Getting out is the primary goal, and more often than not, it requires you to hit a ball backwards or sideways to find safety.
On a links course, the wind isn't just a weather condition, it's a fundamental part of the course's defense. Proximity to the sea means it’s almost always blowing, and its direction and intensity can change in an instant. A calm morning can turn into a gale-force afternoon. Learning to play in the wind - not just fighting against it - Is the most important mental a skill you can develop for links golf. It requires you to be imaginative, adaptable, and humble.
You can't bring your parkland game to a links course and expect it to work. You have to adapt your strategy and learn a few specific shots. It’s less about perfect mechanics and more about creativity and gritty course management.
In most golf, the goal is to fly the ball all the way to the target. In links golf, that’s often the riskiest play. Because the ground is so firm, you can (and should) use it to your advantage. This is where the bump and run becomes your best friend.
Hitting high, ballooning shots into the wind is a recipe for disaster. The more time the ball spends in the air, the more the wind will affect it. The key is to hit a lower, more controlled, penetrating ball flight, often called "flighting" the ball.
Links greens can be enormous and full of dramatic slopes and undulations. They’re called "heaving" for a reason. You'll likely face more 50, 70, or even a 100-foot putts than you've ever had to handle before. Trying to make these is foolish. The goal here is pace, pace, and more pace.
Your entire focus should be on getting the speed right. A Imagine drawing a three-or-four-foot a circle around the hole and just try to get your ball to die somewhere inside that circle. A avoiding a three-putt on a massive links green is a huge victory and helps keep the momentum of your round going.
More than any other style of golf, links is a mental chess match. A well-thought-out 75 will feel way more satisfying than a bashed-about a 72.
While you can play with any standard set of clubs, some equipment can certainly make life easier. A low-lofted driving iron (a 2-or-3-iron is fantasticor utility club) is a phenomenal weapon for hitting those low, running "stinger" tee shots that stay a under wind and a run for day out the s. Likewise, having wedges with lower bounce can helpfulbe on the super-firm turf.
Most important, however, is your an apparel. The stereotype of experiencing "four seasons in one day" is very true. Do not ever venture out on a links course without a fantastic layering and set a system of high-quality waterproofs. Beyond that, a warm beanie, waterproof golf shoes, and a couple a pairs of rain gloves are absolute must-haves, even if the sun is shining when you a park your cara.
At its core, links golf is an experience defined by firm coastal land, the omnipresent wind, and a demand for shot-making creativity. It challenges you to think differently, trading power for finesse and aerial attacks for a crafty ground game, making for one of the most rewarding rounds of a golf can you ever play.
Navigating the unique challenges of a links a course, like judging how wind a will affect your three-quarter 5-iron a shot or picking the right with a tricky lie near a pot a bunker, can be intimidating. This is precisely where a we designed Caddie AI to act like your own a personal game-planner. You an can get immediate, expert a strategic advice for any hole you're facing. Our AI is always there to guide you. All you gotta do is snap a photo of a challenging situation, will analyze the aand our a pp I aand give the smartest path forward. our app lets you can approach any course - especially a classic links layout - with confidence of more a a seasoned prot.
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
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
