Why Are Golf Courses Called Links?

Ever overhear someone call their local, tree-lined course a links course and feel a bit confused? You’re not alone. While the term is frequently used across the golf world, it actually refers to a very specific, and historically significant, type of golf course. This article breaks down exactly what a true links course is, where the name came from, and how playing one requires a completely different approach to your game.

The Simple Origin Story: Land Unfit for Anything Else

The story of the term "links" isn't a marketing creation, it's a simple description of the land itself. Before golf was a formal sport, it was a game played by shepherds in the coastal regions of Scotland. The word "links" is derived from the Old Scottish word hlinc, meaning "ridge" or "rising ground." It described the very specific type of land they played on.

Imagine the Scottish coastline. You have the sea, the sandy beaches, and then, further inland, you have the rich, fertile soil used for farming (known as 'arable' land). In between the beach and the farmland was a stretch of rugged, sandy, undulating terrain that was essentially useless for agriculture. The sandy soil, constant wind, and salt spray meant that only tough, wiry grasses could survive. This land - a natural link between sea and farm - was called the linksland.

It just so happened that this "useless" land was perfect for a fledgling game:

• It drained perfectly. The sandy base meant rain passed right through, keeping the ground firm and playable year-round.
• The ground was naturally shaped. The wind and sea had already carved dunes, mounds, and hollows, creating natural challenges without any need for construction.
• The grass was short. The hardy Bent and Fescue grasses that grew there were kept naturally short by the grazing of sheep and the harsh coastal conditions.

So, the first golf courses weren't "designed" so much as they were "discovered." Early golfers simply found a interesting piece of ground, dug a few rudimentary holes, and started playing. The name "links" stuck because it was simply the name of the place where they played.

The Anatomy of a True Links Course

So, what separates a genuine seaside links from an inland course with a fancy name? A true links course must have a very specific set of characteristics. Think of it as a checklist. If a course doesn't tick most of these boxes, it's technically a "links-style" course at best.

1. Location: Coastal and Sandy

This is the first and most important rule. A true links course is built on coastal linksland. Its foundation is sand, deposited by the sea over thousands of years and shaped by the wind. If the course is a hundred miles from the ocean, on clay soil, and surrounded by pine trees, it is not a links course, no matter what the sign says.

2. Topography: Natural Undulations

The fairways on a links course are rarely flat. They roll, dip, and ripple with the natural contours of the land. These humps and hollows (often called rumples) were carved by nature, not bulldozers. A great shot can catch a harsh bounce into a bad spot, while an average shot might be fed by a slope right next to the pin. This unpredictability is a defining feature.

3. Soil & Turf: Firm and Fast

Because the soil is sand-based and the grass is a hardy fescue, links courses play incredibly firm and fast. In a parkland course, you might see a drive land with a thud and stop within a few feet. On a links course, that same drive could land and then run for another 50 or 60 yards. This is arguably the biggest strategic difference. The ground is a lively participant in every shot, not just a landing pad.

4. Bunkers: Deep and Dangerous

Links bunkers are not the wide, shallow, immaculately raked traps you see on many modern courses. They are typically small, deep, steep-faced pot bunkers. Many of these bunkers were not designed but were created naturally. Sheep would huddle in small sandy hollows to escape the wind, their hooves would wear away the grass, and the wind would then blow out the sand, deepening the "bunker." Escaping one of these often requires a shot to go sideways or even backward, just to get out.

5. Vegetation: Gorse, Heather, and Almost No Trees

The constant, powerful wind from the sea makes it nearly impossible for large trees to grow on a true links. The primary hazards, besides the bunkers and the wind itself, are an integral part of the natural landscape. You’ll find thick, prickly gorse bushes and gnarly heather. If your ball finds one of these, you’re often forced to take an unplayable lie penalty stroke.

6. The Weather: A Constant Factor

You can't talk about links golf without talking about the elements. A four-club wind is common. A calm morning can turn into a gale-force afternoon. Rain can come in sideways. Success in links golf is not just about swinging well, it’s about managing the weather. It forces players to control their ball flight, think creatively, and display real mental toughness.

A Coach's Guide: How to Actually Play Links Golf

Reading about links golf is one thing, playing it is another. From a coaching perspective, the biggest mistake golfers make is trying to play their usual "aerial" parkland game on a course that demands a completely different strategy. To succeed, you have to adapt.

Step 1: Abandon High, Spinny Shots

On most golf courses, the goal is to hit a high shot that lands softly on the green. In links golf, that's often a losing strategy. A high ball is at the mercy of the wind, making distance control almost impossible. Instead, you need to learn to control your trajectory.

Actionable Tip: To hit the ball lower, play the ball slightly further back in your stance (an inch or two works for most), put about 60% of your weight on your front foot, and feel like you're finishing your swing with your hands low and in front of you. This is the classic "stinger" or punch shot that stays under the wind.

Step 2: Start Using the Ground Game

The firm, fast ground is a tool. You don't always need to fly the ball all the way to the flag. This is where the old-fashioned "bump and run" comes in. The idea is to land the ball well short of the green and let it bounce and roll its way to the hole, like a good lag putt.

Actionable Tip: Instead of grabbing your 60-degree wedge for a 30-yard shot, try taking an 8-iron or 9-iron. Stand closer to the ball, use a putting-style stroke (minimal wrist action), and focus on landing your ball 5-10 yards onto the green. Watch it release and run out. It's often a much higher-percentage shot than trying to execute a perfect high-lofted pitch in the wind.

Step 3: Rethink Your Club Selection

On a links course, a 150-yard shot is never "just a 7-iron." Is the wind helping or hurting? Is it a crosswind? Where is the trouble? Where is the best place to land the ball to let it feed toward the hole? On a downwind hole, you might hit a 9-iron 170 yards. Into a wind, that same9-iron might not even go 120. You have to start thinking about the "playing" yardage, not just the number on the sprinkler head.

Actionable Tip: Before your round, go to the range and hit a few shots with a crosswind. Notice how much a 15mph wind moves the ball. Understanding this will give you the confidence to aim 30 yards right of a green and let the wind bring it back.

Step 4: Embrace the Putter From Everywhere

The turf surrounding links greens is often mown just as tight as the green itself. This means you can often putt from 20, 30, or even 40 yards away. While it might feel strange, putting from off the green (using a "Texas Wedge") eliminates the chance of a bladed or fat chip shot - catastrophic mistakes in firm conditions.

Actionable Tip: A simple rule of thumb: if the ground an between you and the hold is smooth fairway, choose the putter. It is almost always the safer play with a much better chance of getting the ball close.

Why So Many Courses Are Incorrectly Called "Links"

Given the strict definition, why do so many inland courses in America and elsewhere use the name "links"? The answer is simple: marketing.

The term "links" is associated with the very origins of the game, with hallowed grounds like St Andrews, Royal St. George's, and Royal Portrush - all regular hosts of The Open Championship. The name evokes a sense of romance, history, and authenticity. Course developers know this and use the word to add a layer of prestige to their properties, hoping to attract players looking for that classic golf experience.

This has given rise to the term "links-style" courses. These are often excellent courses built on inland sites but designed to *mimic* features of a true links. They might feature wide, treeless fairways, fescue grasses, pot bunkers, and undulating greens. While they can be a fantastic challenge and a lot of fun to play, they lack the one non-negotiable ingredient: the coastal, sandy soil that defines what it means to be a true links.

Final Thoughts

So, the next time you hear the word "links," you'll know it's more than just a synonym for "golf course." It describes the specific, sandy, wind-swept land on the Scottish coast where our game was born, a place that requires creativity, imagination, and a completely different set of skills to conquer.

Thinking your way around different types of courses is a a huge part of shooting lower scores. Knowing when to play an aggressive aerial shot on a soft parkland course versus a clever bump-and-run on a firm links track is the kind of on-course intelligence that separates players. We've designed Caddie AI to be your personal on-course expert for exactly these situations, providing instant strategy and shot recommendations tailored to the hole you’re on, so you always feel confident you’re making the smartest play.