Links
A links is a golf course on the coast on sandy soil — the oldest and most original course type in the sport of golf.
The term comes from Scotland and describes the wasteland between sea and farmland: sandy ground, dunes, hard grass, hardly any trees. Exactly this unfertile land became the first golf courses because it was of no use for anything else. A true links is shaped by the wind, has deep bunkers, hard fairways and greens on which the ball rolls a long way. Many regard links golf as the most original form of the game.
In practice a links demands a different game than the typical parkland course. High shots are stolen by the wind, so you play the ball low and let it run. An example: a par 4 in a strong crosswind — you deliberately hit the drive low into the wind, the ball lands short and rolls another thirty metres. Short of the green, instead of the high wedge you choose the Bump and Run with an iron and use the hard ground as your ally.
A typical misconception: every course without trees is a links. Not true. Without sandy soil, dunes and proximity to the sea it is at best an open inland course. Also wrong: links has nothing to do with the left side of the fairway. In the German-speaking region true links are rare; for the original experience you travel to the coasts of Scotland or Ireland. At your home course it is still worth training the low, running shots, because they help on any windy day.
FAQ
How do I change my game when I play on a links course?
Play the ball low and let it run instead of aiming high at the green. High shots are stolen by the wind, and the hard ground rolls the ball a long way. Short of the green the bump and run with an iron is often better than the high wedge, because it uses the wind and the hard green as allies.
Is every tree-free golf course automatically a links?
No, that is a widespread misconception. A true links needs sandy soil, dunes and proximity to the sea — without these three ingredients it is at best an open inland course. In Germany true links are therefore rare; for the original experience you travel to the coasts of Scotland or Ireland.
Why is links golf considered the most original form of the game?
The first golf courses emerged on the wasteland between sea and farmland because this sandy soil was of no use for anything else. Wind, deep bunkers and hard fairways were not a design decision but simply nature. Anyone who plays a links today experiences the conditions under which the sport originated.