Is this true links golf?

[muttleee]

I was reading about this course in Texas yesterday which claims to be as authentic a links course as you can get, apart from the glorious sunshine all year round, that is. Do you think it qualifies as a true links course? It sounds pretty appealing, I must say!

An ode to the Scottish links land - in Texas

 

[Mike_j_golf]

Hi,
I'd say yes sounds like a links and there is nothing to say they have to be in the uk or ireland.
Mike

 

[Adi2Dassler]

If Arnold Palmer reckons its a links course, then it is.

 

[muttleee]

One of the big differences though is that Newport Dunes (to quote the article) "...has no rough. Where the fairways end, the knee-high and penal native dune vegetation begins." Most links courses over here have that long wispy grass that gives you at least a fighting chance if you miss the fairway.

Still, I'd be happy to play it anytime.

 

[Herbie]

I will let you know when your 'Link' eventually gets through.

 

[Herbie]

Been to the Newport site direct and I can say I am very impressed, its a beautiful course, but is it a true Links?

It depends on what qualities you look for that make a true Links I suppose, and this course tic's almost all the boxes for me. The only two areas I would question its likeness to a true links from the info given is the general weather pattern it lives under and the vegitaion within and around it.

I would expect any american, particularly one that may benefit to rave about this course as being all that and more, its to be expected with such endorsements.

However, having said that, it certainly looks the part, I would love to play it and see what the ground and greens are like to really make an informed judgement.

It looks beautiful thats for sure, is it just like a true links? I am not totally convinced.

 

[nulassilb]

Does the wind blow a bit from time to time?

 

[USER1999]

Is it between the railway and the sea? No? Not a true links then.

 

[Ethan]

It blows in Texas, for sure.

I would say that for a US course, this is pretty linksy. There are a few links around in the US - Bandon Dunes in Oregon looks fantastic, and there are a few on Long Island which are pretty close. Even Sand Hills in landlocked Nebraska looks good.