Links Golf

[Imurg]

I will freely admit from the start of this post that I have never played Links Golf. I have been brought up on a diet of Parkland courses in the nearly 20 years I've been playing this great game. But then living as far from the coast as I do I guess its not surprising.

What I find attractive in a golf course is exactly what a links course isn't to my eyes. Basically flat, barely a tree of any size, sometimes little definition between fairway and rough, greens sometimes the size of Wales, wind howling off the sea in the middle of Summer, hitting 6 irons 220 yards because they run so much etc etc.

Now I know the traditions of the game, I know this is where Golf began and to the traditionalists the "purest form of the game" but it doesn't appeal to me in the slightest. I may change my mind once I've played links golf but I don't in all honesty feel the need to try it. I know the Open is always played on a links but to me they just look bleak. The views may be spectacular but I'll come for the golf not the mountains.

So come on all you Links Lovers. I need convincing. A mate of mine told me the other day that although he liked links, he'd never played well on one. So what's it all about? Please enlighten me because, quite frankly Gents, I don't get it.

 

[MarkS]

coming from the Southport area, guess i always assumed Links was the only form of golf worth playing.
Since i moved to Shropshire i have played much more Park courses, and i THINK that the later is more enjoyable, but the former is more challenging.

Actually there is room for both!

 

[Tommo21]

I will freely admit from the start of this post that I have never played Links Golf. I have been brought up on a diet of Parkland courses in the nearly 20 years I've been playing this great game. But then living as far from the coast as I do I guess its not surprising.

What I find attractive in a golf course is exactly what a links course isn't to my eyes. Basically flat, barely a tree of any size, sometimes little definition between fairway and rough, greens sometimes the size of Wales, wind howling off the sea in the middle of Summer, hitting 6 irons 220 yards because they run so much etc etc.

Now I know the traditions of the game, I know this is where Golf began and to the traditionalists the "purest form of the game" but it doesn't appeal to me in the slightest. I may change my mind once I've played links golf but I don't in all honesty feel the need to try it. I know the Open is always played on a links but to me they just look bleak. The views may be spectacular but I'll come for the golf not the mountains.

So come on all you Links Lovers. I need convincing. A mate of mine told me the other day that although he liked links, he'd never played well on one. So what's it all about? Please enlighten me because, quite frankly Gents, I don't get it.

You've just got to play on one first....wrong about the 6 iron, into the wind it only goes 120.

 

[Imurg]

This is the biggest problem Tommo - nothing I see appeals to me enough to want to go and play one...

 

[MarkS]

a 250 m drive with a 90 metre run makes you appreciate it.......similarly losing 5 balls in 2 holes can make you hate it.

 

[Herbie]

I will freely admit from the start of this post that I have never played Links Golf. I have been brought up on a diet of Parkland courses in the nearly 20 years I've been playing this great game. But then living as far from the coast as I do I guess its not surprising.

What I find attractive in a golf course is exactly what a links course isn't to my eyes. Basically flat, barely a tree of any size, sometimes little definition between fairway and rough, greens sometimes the size of Wales, wind howling off the sea in the middle of Summer, hitting 6 irons 220 yards because they run so much etc etc.

Now I know the traditions of the game, I know this is where Golf began and to the traditionalists the "purest form of the game" but it doesn't appeal to me in the slightest. I may change my mind once I've played links golf but I don't in all honesty feel the need to try it. I know the Open is always played on a links but to me they just look bleak. The views may be spectacular but I'll come for the golf not the mountains.

So come on all you Links Lovers. I need convincing. A mate of mine told me the other day that although he liked links, he'd never played well on one. So what's it all about? Please enlighten me because, quite frankly Gents, I don't get it.

Ha ha, Imurg, you should really get out if you can and visit a few Links courses, not all are flat, in fact some you need an iron lung to get round..and not all are treeless(though most are)and not all have massive greens.

Playing Links, you are battling the elements as well as the course difficulty, you will rarely find Links courses playing the same each day. What you gain from some Links courses from the layout and general ground, you lose on difficulty on greens, or yardage, others make you hit accurately or lose your ball, and can instil the fear of god in some. Links courses make you think about every shot, whereas some other courses with wide open clean cut fairways offer little punishment to poor drives hooked or sliced, or aproach shots where Links might make you choose a lay of land shot yet others are straight at the pin.You also have to play different kinds of shots simply due to conditions. Then there is the fresh air...mmmmm..and sometimes sheep(depending on course)...views and handy shipping forcasts.

 

[julsk10]

I am a member of a parkland course which is a more enjoyable game but once you have played a links course you can really understand the attraction. As for always having the open at one I suppose this is now just the norm, but it is what makes it so special.

Play here and you will not need to ask this question again.

It is everything they say it is.

 

[ball_basher]

sounds to me that you don't like a bit of a challenge , why dont you try something out of your comfort zone ? you never know ... id only ever played parkland courses until i moved up to the west coast of cumbria where is discovered the delights of links golf .... much more interesting and makes you have to think your way round the track , now my golf is not one dimensional

 

[Saxer2000]

I, like yourself have never played links golf, in fact, travelling to play various courses is difficult due to my work. But, I did go to the British Open at Royal St. Georges a few years back and to see the rollercoaster fairways, thick rough and undulating, slick greens made me instantly recognise the true test of links golf.

As a golf addict I think it's important to test your skill and ability (or lack of) with as many challenges as is possible. I would imagine that playing links golf would be good for anybodys game due to the various types of shot that you need to have in your arsenal.

I have to admit that my first round on a links course would probably be a high scoring affair but I would certainly welcome the opportunity with open arms to play one and really put my game to the test.

 

[RGDave]

Since I moved to Shropshire I have played much more Park courses

Any in particular? We have quite a few....

 

[HTL]

Links Golf = Bad, ugly and much to do with luck. Get a bad kick on the fairway and your in 6 foot long grass. Get on the green and like you said you have a 40 footer to deal with. Hit a green with a towering iron shot and you'll be 30 yards over the back, how is that fun? Not my cup of tee thank you.

American style parkland for me every time. Just not up and down like Firestone. I want tee shots that test your accuracy. Also tricky shots into greens, over water + bunkers etc.

 

[brendy]

Juls, I have the very course as my desktop on my laptop.

Ian, If you dont get the links thing dont worry about it. I never got Cyprus until I went there (eventually got married there after over half a dozen visits between me and the missus.)and now love it to bits.
I see golf a little like motorsport (rallying and f1), these are very different disciplines but you need core skills to be able to do either.
Personally, I enjoy all types of courses, I usually play parkland but jump at the chance to play links and heathland when it arises.

 

[RGDave]

Links Golf = Bad, ugly and much to do with luck. Get a bad kick on the fairway and your in 6 foot long grass. Get on the green and like you said you have a 40 footer to deal with. Hit a green with a towering iron shot and you'll be 30 yards over the back, how is that fun? Not my cup of tee thank you.

Dear, dear.

I know about the random kicks and agree, but the other two?? there are ways to get around these issues, that's the joy of the test.....it's also why folk who don't play links often tend to score badly (including me).
If you don't want to be 30 yards over the back, hit 30 yards less club

 

[HTL]

Links Golf = Bad, ugly and much to do with luck. Get a bad kick on the fairway and your in 6 foot long grass. Get on the green and like you said you have a 40 footer to deal with. Hit a green with a towering iron shot and you'll be 30 yards over the back, how is that fun? Not my cup of tee thank you.

If you don't want to be 30 yards over the back, hit 30 yards less club

Hit 30 yards less, get a kick and end up in bunker next to green. Flop shot out and end up again off the green. Where is the fun in that? I just don't like them, to look at or play.

Lydd has been a major contributing factor in my judgement, that was a bad golfing day in HTL's world.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

HTL is only bitter and twisted after several disturbing issues with the back nine at Lydd. I actually think they are a challenge and you have to remember for every bad bounce you get you'll eventually get a good one too. Links golf will test your shot making and perhaps more importantly and for me the fun part, it will test your imagination. You can't just pull out SC and see 130 yards and reach for the 8 iron (or whatever you hit 130). It might be a 6 iron in the wind or a low runner with a 7 iron. You might have to aim left and let the contours bring it round. All these things are a break from standard aim and fire parkland courses (from one who plays parkland every week).

I couldn't play links golf every week and I'm pretty sure its brutal in the winter and the fun and challenge may wear thin in a howling gale but I do urge all forummers who haven't tried it to at least give it a go once. It really is golf at its purest level

 

[MarkS]

Since I moved to Shropshire I have played much more Park courses

Any in particular? We have quite a few....

Patshull
Telford
The Shropshire
Hill Valley
Market Drayton (the best of the lot, a little gem)
Brookfield
Wrekin
Lannymynych
Hawkestone Park (both)
Arscott

Then back at home
Mossock
Hurlston Hall a few times

as i say quite a few....

 

[sasquatch]

I went down to devon for a week with mrs sasquatch,baby sasquatch and her mum n dad in april,before i went i was searching for golf courses in the area and blow me-if there wasn't royal north devon golf club one mile from the cottage!! This was my first taste of playing a links and i loved every minute of it! It was a beautiful sunny day but the wind was pretty strong(as usual),i found it a real test with the wind and rapid greens but hopefully going again next year so i will give it another crack,its well worth a visit if any of you are down there-great course + very freindly people.

 

[mono217]

Since I moved to Shropshire I have played much more Park courses

Any in particular? We have quite a few....

Patshull
Telford
The Shropshire
Hill Valley
Market Drayton (the best of the lot, a little gem)
Brookfield
Wrekin
Lannymynych
Hawkestone Park (both)
Arscott

Then back at home
Mossock
Hurlston Hall a few times

as i say quite a few....

Mossock and hurlston right next door to me Im joining both next year i think but defo mossock up to know.

 

[MarkS]

Mono
my brother and nephew are members of Hurlston, Michael is 15 so you will be in his age group, and Mossock Hall was built on farm land next door to where my uncle farms.
Many friends of my brother are members there.

I will warn them that a bandit is joining them!!

 

[RGDave]

Since I moved to Shropshire I have played much more Park courses

Any in particular? We have quite a few....

Patshull
Telford
The Shropshire
Hill Valley
Market Drayton (the best of the lot, a little gem)
Brookfield
Wrekin
Lannymynych
Hawkestone Park (both)
Arscott

Good list

Check out Oswestry, Henlle and Mile End when you get over to the west. I also like Drayton, Wrekin and Llanymynech.
Don't know Brookfield.
Depending on your location, TonyN and I played at a good value course (2 for 1) just into Cheshire...it'll come to me.