The term links in golf doesn't refer to a connection or a chain, but to a very specific type of land where the game was born. Originating on the sandy, wind-swept coastline of Scotland, a links course is defined by its natural seaside terrain, not by any man-made design. This article explains precisely what that terrain is, how its unique characteristics shape the game, and why understanding this history will help you play better golf, no matter where you tee it up.
At its heart, a links course is a golf course built on "linksland." Think of the strip of land that connects the sea to the fertile farmland further inland. This was often seen as useless ground by farmers - too sandy and salty for crops, left wild and exposed to the elements. This sandy soil, shaped by the wind into rolling dunes and covered in resilient seaside grasses like fescue, provided the perfect natural canvas for the earliest golfers.
So, a true links course must have several key environmental ingredients:
Essentially, the founders of golf didn't design courses, they just discovered them. They found a unique landscape and figured out how to play a game on it. This natural foundation dictates the entire strategy and feel of links golf.
The name itself comes from the Old English word "hlinc," which meant a ridge, a bank, or rising ground. In ancient Scotland, this "linksland" was public property, considered worthless for agriculture. It was a rugged, open space where locals would graze livestock and carry out other activities. It was on these gorse-covered, rabbit-scraped, and windswept pastures that a few inventive Scots started knocking a ball with a stick towards a hole in the ground.
Early golfers played around the natural obstacles. A sandy pit scraped out by a sheep huddling from the wind became a bunker. A natural ridge in the land became a strategically placed mound in the fairway. The game was played on the ground because the constant wind made hitting high, floaty shots a fool's errand. They didn't have irrigation systems_ the firm, sandy soil was a product of the environment. They didn't have tree-lined fairways, the only guardian of the course was the relentless and unpredictable coastal wind.
This historical context is important because it highlights that links golf is a game of adaptation. It’s about using creativity and imagination to play the shots the course and the weather give you, rather than trying to force a single, perfect type of swing.
Understanding what makes a links course is one thing, but knowing how to play it is another. Your typical parkland course playbook often goes right out the window. Here’s a breakdown of the key features of links golf and practical tips on how to handle them, straight from a coach's perspective.
The sandy soil on a links course drains water almost instantly, creating a playing surface that is incredibly firm and fast. Unlike a soft parkland course where your ball plugs with a thud, a well-struck drive on a links course can run for an extra 50 yards or more.
Forget the high, soft-landing 60-degree wedge shot around the greens. That's a low-percentage play on firm ground. The "bump and run" should become your go-to shot. Instead of flying the ball all the way to the hole, your goal is to land it short of the green and let it release and roll like a putt.
Wind is the defining feature of links golf. It can change direction in an instant and magnify any mistake. A gentle breeze can turn your perfect draw into a wicked hook that’s lost forever in the fescue. Learning to manage the wind is non-negotiable.
The biggest mistake golfers make in the wind is trying to swing harder to force the ball through it. This creates more backspin, which causes the ball to "balloon" up into the air and get eaten alive by the wind. The secret is to swing smoother and take more club.
Links bunkers, known as "pot bunkers," are not the wide, fluffy traps you see on the PGA Tour. They are often small, deep, with steep revetted grass faces. They are true hazards designed to punish a poor shot, not just test your sand game. The primary goal is simply to escape.
If you find your ball in a pot bunker, the first thing to disappear is your ego. Trying to hit a hero shot and advance the ball 150 yards is a recipe for disaster. The steep face will often mean your only option is to go out sideways or even slightly backward.
The same logic applies to the wispy, tangled fescue rough. Trying to muscle a long iron out of it will only result in the club twisting and the ball diving deeper into trouble. Take a wedge and get back to the fairway.
This is where a lot of confusion comes from. Today, the word "links" is often used as a marketing term for any course that is near the coast and relatively treeless. However, a course like Pebble Beach in California, while stunningly beautiful and on the coast, is not a true links course. It’s a "coastal" or "links-style" course.
The main difference is the soil. Pebble Beach is built on cliffs of compacted clay and loam, not deep sand. It doesn’t have the classic firm and fast ground game a true links course has. While it's exposed to wind, it plays more like a traditional parkland course that just happens to be on the ocean.
Examples of true links courses include The Old Course at St. Andrews, Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Royal Birkdale in England, and Bandon Dunes in Oregon (a modern course built on true linksland). Examples of famous links-style or coastal courses include Pebble Beach, Kapalua in Hawaii, and Whistling Straits in Wisconsin (which was man-made to mimic links features).
Knowing this distinction isn’t just for golf geeks. It helps you understand what to expect emotionally and strategically when you arrive at a course. If someone calls a course a "links," ask yourself: is it really on linksland, or is it just by the sea?
Golf is called "links" because the game was born on the sandy, seaside linksland of Scotland. This unique environment created a different kind of game - one played on the ground, shaped by the wind, and demanding creativity and strategy over brute force.
Understanding these unique challenges is the first step, but executing the right shot under pressure is what builds confidence. On a links course, you're constantly faced with decisions that are entirely different from your home track - judging the bounce on a bump-and-run, picking the right club to flight under a 30 mph gust, or figuring out the best way to escape a gnarly pot bunker. We designed Caddie AI to be that expert source in your pocket for exactly these moments. Imagine taking a photo of your ball in the fescue and getting instant, reliable advice on how to play the shot, or describing the wind and the hole to get a smart strategy. It’s about taking uncertainty out of the equation so you can commit to your shot and enjoy the raw, authentic experience of links golf.
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.
