Ever hear scratch golfers or TV commentators talk glowingly about ‘proper links golf’ and wonder what makes it so different? A links course isn't just any course by the sea, it's a specific style of golf that demands creativity, strategy, and a completely different set of skills. This guide will walk you through the defining features of a links course - from the firm turf to those deep pot bunkers - and give you the simple, actionable advice you need to not just survive one, but truly enjoy the experience.
First, let's clear up a common misconception. Not every course near the ocean is a links course. The term "links" refers to a specific type of land - the sandy, undulating, and windswept terrain that links the sea with the more fertile farmland inland. This strip of land was historically considered useless for agriculture, but it turned out to be perfect for golf.
Authentic links courses share a few key characteristics born from this unique environment:
In contrast, most golfers are used to playing on parkland courses. These are inland, lush, and green, with softer turf, plenty of trees, and hazards that are more visually defined. On a parkland course, the game is largely played through the air. On a links course, the ground is just as important as the air.
The single biggest adjustment for any golfer visiting a links course for the first time is the ground. It’s hard. It’s fast. And you have to use it to your advantage. A high-flying approach shot that would stop within a few feet of its pitch mark on a soft parkland green might land on a links green and bounce cleanly over the back into trouble.
Here’s how to adapt:
The low, running shot is the bread and butter of links golf. Instead of flying a high wedge or 9-iron to the flag, consider using a 7-iron or 8-iron to land the ball well short of the green and let it trundle its way toward the hole.
How to Play It:
Your landing spot becomes more important than your pin-seeking. Look for a spot 10, 20, or even 30 yards short of the green that will allow the ball to feed toward the flag.
On a links course, the closely mown areas around the greens are called "surrounds," and they are prime territory for your putter. The tight grass allows for a smooth roll, taking the risky uncertainty of a slightly mis-hit chip (like a thinned or chunked shot) completely out of play. This is often called the "Texas wedge" in the States, but on a links course, it’s just the smart play.
If you're just off the green and there’s no thick rough between you and the hole, grab the putter. It's often the highest-percentage shot you have.
On a links course, the wind isn't a surprise, it's a certainty. Learning to manage your ball flight in the wind is non-negotiable if you want to score well. The common instinct is to swing harder into the wind, but that’s the worst thing you can do. A hard swing creates more backspin, causing the ball to "balloon" up into the air and become even more vulnerable to the wind's effects.
The mantra to remember is: "When it's breezy, swing easy."
This is your go-to shot for hitting into the wind. It’s a controlled swing that produces a lower, more piercing ball flight that stays below the heavy gusts.
How to Play It:
You also need to use the wind. For a crosswind blowing from left to right, a right-handed player should aim down the left side of the fairway or green and let the wind drift the ball back towards the target.
Those small, round, deep bunkers are legendary for a reason. They are not like the shallow, sprawling sand traps you find elsewhere. They are genuine hazards where your first and only priority is to get the ball out. Forget about advancing the ball to the green, just escape.
Finally, links golf forces you to be an artist, not just a technician. You’ll rarely find a perfectly flat lie in the fairway. The ball will be above your feet, below your feet, or on an upslope or downslope. The ground doesn't just run firm, it kicks and bounces in every direction thanks to hidden humps and hollows forged by nature.
You can’t just stand there and make your "stock" swing. You need to use your imagination.
This is the fun and the challenge of links golf. It breaks you out of the repetitive cycle of "driver, wedge, putt" and forces you to see the course and the game in a whole new, more imaginative way.
The difference in a links golf course comes down to its relationship with nature. The firm ground, constant wind, deep bunkers, and natural contours demand more than just brute strength, they demand thought, creativity, and a willingness to play the game on the ground as much as through the air.
Navigating the unique challenges of a links course requires a different kind of thinking, and sometimes an expert opinion can make all the difference. This is where we designed Caddie AI to be your personal links strategist. When you're facing that howling cross-wind, looking at the treacherous face of a pot bunker, or trying to decide how a certain bounce will play out, you can get instant advice on club selection and shot strategy. We can even analyze a photo of your strange lie in a gorse bush and give you the smartest, safest way to play it, helping you avoid those big numbers and embrace the true test of links golf with more confidence.
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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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