Blue in Munich
Crocked Professional Yeti Impersonator
Cracking course, play it enough times and you'll use every club in your bag on the 17th. I must get back there again.
Cracking course, play it enough times and you'll use every club in your bag on the 17th. I must get back there again.
srixon 1
Journeyman Pro
I love links golf and always look forward to the challenges that they give. However, I could never be a member of one as I prefer heathland type courses.
Yosser
Assistant Pro
Not for me I'm afraid. The main attraction seems to be that they are more playable in the winter. There is supposed to be an Inland Links course near me, never played it mind, but this is how they describe it:-
Bolton Old Links was designed as a traditional old style or ‘Links’ course, referring to the terrain, layout and ever present windy conditions due to it’s height above sea level, rather than a location next to the coast (yes, you’ve guessed it… the ‘Links’ bit of the name).
http://www.boltonoldlinksgolfclub.co.uk/
Bolton Old Links was designed as a traditional old style or ‘Links’ course, referring to the terrain, layout and ever present windy conditions due to it’s height above sea level, rather than a location next to the coast (yes, you’ve guessed it… the ‘Links’ bit of the name).
http://www.boltonoldlinksgolfclub.co.uk/
Links golf can be brutal if the wind blows. The courses aren't as picturesque as some parkland and heathland course...
So why am I a member at a links course? I originally joined a links golf for the year round golf - fed up of course closures at the parkland course I was a member of. However, I soon found that because of the wind it was a different challenge on an almost daily basis, and because of that I enjoy it even more.
But after nearly 30yrs membership my eyes have been straying towards a local parkland course. It easier on the eye and plays easier too. But after Friday's downpour it was closed on Saturday, as were most of the courses locally... and my course had a couple of puddles and played as well as it always does.
So why am I a member at a links course? I originally joined a links golf for the year round golf - fed up of course closures at the parkland course I was a member of. However, I soon found that because of the wind it was a different challenge on an almost daily basis, and because of that I enjoy it even more.
But after nearly 30yrs membership my eyes have been straying towards a local parkland course. It easier on the eye and plays easier too. But after Friday's downpour it was closed on Saturday, as were most of the courses locally... and my course had a couple of puddles and played as well as it always does.
Doon frae Troon
Ryder Cup Winner
Same story re Newmarket Links........best turf I have played off.
Foxholer
Blackballed
Not only that. Spring and Autumn can be very frustrating on Parkland (especially) or Moorland/Heathland etc courses too - while conditions will be fine on decent links.
The other plus point is that they are noticeably different every time you play them, even on the same day, as the change of tide, the on-shore vs offshore breeze and other weather conditions has such and effect. You neve get bored with a links course!
From a playing point of view, there are some shots that get used more than they would be on other styles. The chip and run and the 'putt' from off the green being obvious. Ben Curtis and Todd Hamilton have won Opens by adapting their game to using those shots effectively. The occasional unlucky bounce also means that straight hitters aren't always hitting from the fairway either, so recovery shorts have to be learnt as well - tending to make a more complete player, though trees take bit of getting used to for links guys!
Wayman
Tour Winner
Saltburn... not overly long, and maybe more suited to my aging game.
harpo_72
Journeyman Pro
I learnt my game on what was called a links course, although some of the purists on here would pooh pooh it. To be honest I don't really know the definition of links golf, all I know is that if you can play it and get low doing it, the parkland courses are easy. I have played a few around the Kent coast, in particular Princes and on occasions when the rain was horizontal. I love all the little manufactured chip and runs, getting those right is great fun.
Wayman
Tour Winner
bozza
Journeyman Pro
I've played a couple of decent links courses, Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, Goswick and played Silloth on the first time on Monday in a open and enjoyed it apart from the first couple of holes, perfect drive up the middle left me with around 167 yards to the pin with a blind approach to the green, hit a good 6 iron straight at the maker post behind the green.
Walk up to the green and theres no ball in sight, spent 5 mins searching and still didnt find it.
2nd hole i hit a PW into the green and pull it left by about 5 yards into the rough and don't find that ball after 4 of us searching for 5 mins.
For me this is a little too penal for what i thought was a good shot and one that was slightly pulled
Also they can be a little rough at times, Silloth had a lot of sections of fairways that were GUR or we in pretty poor condition which was a little dissapointing as i was expecting a little more.
I do still like links courses but i'd take a parkland course over them anyday.
Walk up to the green and theres no ball in sight, spent 5 mins searching and still didnt find it.
2nd hole i hit a PW into the green and pull it left by about 5 yards into the rough and don't find that ball after 4 of us searching for 5 mins.
For me this is a little too penal for what i thought was a good shot and one that was slightly pulled
Also they can be a little rough at times, Silloth had a lot of sections of fairways that were GUR or we in pretty poor condition which was a little dissapointing as i was expecting a little more.
I do still like links courses but i'd take a parkland course over them anyday.
