Links or parkland ???

[MashieNiblick]

I am a member of a parkland course and don't have a lot of links experience. Other things being equal (e.g courses of similar quality) the biggest differences for me in terms of actually playing are around the challenges on a links of negotiating the terrain and dealing with the elements.

As indicated on another thread aesthetic considerations are entirely a matter of individual taste. I like trees and I like the sea, so no issues for me in that respect.

 

[Vardon11LDN]

Parkland for me, personally I feel that links courses are for better players who can manipulate ball flight.

 

[USER1999]

Another for heathland here. Seems to offer the best of everything, without the drawbacks of either of the other choices.

 

[Snelly]

Another for heathland here. Seems to offer the best of everything, without the drawbacks of either of the other choices.

Very well put.

I love heathland courses and links courses too. Parkland is a very distant third.

If if any of you prefer the latter, you probably haven't played enough golf on the former two and should consider doing so perhaps.

Play Ganton = love heathland. 😉

 

[need_my_wedge]

I like playing all types of golf courses myself, I don't think of liking one over another based on the type of course it is. When I think of courses I like most, it usually comes down to how the course looks, not so much as how it played when I played it (because that may just be down to me). I like undulating fairways, I like dunes with wispy grass (even though I struggle to play from it). I like undulating greens with multiple tiers. I like sandy bases more than clay. I like heather, gorse, pines, tall oaks and rhododendrons. I like seeing the see, or playing by lakes and rivers. Any combination of these with a blue sky and the sun works for me.

 

[patricks148]

parkland:rofl::rofl::rofl:

 

[NWJocko]

I enjoy playing all types of courses really.

We're spoiled in the NW in that we've some great links and inland courses. I prefer playing Links but probably because that's what I grew up with, however the likes of Manchester, Pleasington, Preston etc are parkland (I guess) and are some of the courses I enjoy playing most on a fairly regular basis.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

There are some stunning Parkland courses around

Woburn has three alone

Thankfully most can see that there is good and beauty in all three and it will always come down to personal choice with no "right" or "wrong" answer

 

[Spear-Chucker]

There are very good examples of each (incl. heathland of course) dotted around these fair isles, for which we should be grateful, although I would choose links every time.

 

[gregbwfc]

I enjoy playing all types of courses really.

We're spoiled in the NW in that we've some great links and inland courses. I prefer playing Links but probably because that's what I grew up with, however the likes of Manchester, Pleasington, Preston etc are parkland (I guess) and are some of the courses I enjoy playing most on a fairly regular basis.

We really are lucky round here aren't we ?

There are some stunning Parkland courses around

Woburn has three alone

Thankfully most can see that there is good and beauty in all three and it will always come down to personal choice with no "right" or "wrong" answer

Agree with this, I'm sure there are good,bad and ugly examples of all.
I'd really like to test out the heathland option though as I haven't played many (does Alwoodley count?).
Only admired via websites - some look stunning.

 

[Hobbit]

I enjoy playing all types of courses really.

We're spoiled in the NW in that we've some great links and inland courses. I prefer playing Links but probably because that's what I grew up with, however the likes of Manchester, Pleasington, Preston etc are parkland (I guess) and are some of the courses I enjoy playing most on a fairly regular basis.

This typifies how subjective opinions can be. Pleasington is well renowned, has recently been an Open Qualifier course and hosted many top amateur and local PGA comps... I've played it on a number of occasions, and just can't say it appeals.

I know that with so many glowing reviews, it has got to be me that just doesn't get it.

 

[Tommo21]

As below....both, lucky me.

 

[NWJocko]

We really are lucky round here aren't we ?

.

Yep, spoiled for choice both links on the Southport and (to a lesser degree) Fylde coast and then from Preston all down the M61 corridor to Manchester GC there are some really good parkland/moorland courses (Bolton Old Links, Bolton GC, Chorley, Pleasington, Manchester etc etc)

I'm a bit of a hypocrite really as I prefer links but haven't joined the Links course down the road from me!!! :rofl:

 

[NWJocko]

This typifies how subjective opinions can be. Pleasington is well renowned, has recently been an Open Qualifier course and hosted many top amateur and local PGA comps... I've played it on a number of occasions, and just can't say it appeals.

I know that with so many glowing reviews, it has got to be me that just doesn't get it.

I must say I never think too deeply about courses, I just enjoy playing round Pleasington, a lovely spot to have a wander and a laugh with a good mix of holes. That's pretty much all I get out of it there as I can't seem to play well round the bleeding course!!! :rofl:

 

[bluewolf]

This typifies how subjective opinions can be. Pleasington is well renowned, has recently been an Open Qualifier course and hosted many top amateur and local PGA comps... I've played it on a number of occasions, and just can't say it appeals.

I know that with so many glowing reviews, it has got to be me that just doesn't get it.

Have you played it since the course changes? I much prefer it now. The whole course flows better IMO. I still prefer Manchester GC though. And Chorley is a real gem.

With regards to the OP.
Links
Heathland





















Parkland.

Just about sums it up.

 

[Fyldewhite]

Have you played it since the course changes? I much prefer it now. The whole course flows better IMO. I still prefer Manchester GC though. And Chorley is a real gem.

Yep, I'd certainly endorse that. One of my favourite clubs in the area, good clubhouse, friendly, not expensive and as you say a really good course. Clitheroe is another favourite along with Lancaster. As for OP, not being drawn on which kind of course I prefer .....but all the best ones seem to be on the coast Seriously though I do enjoy Parkland too.

 

[Garush34]

I currently play parkland but get a few games a year on a links course. I prefer playing links and given the choice if I lived closer I would join a links. I tend to enjoy playing links more but maybe that would ware off if I played it all the time, but I like that with links there are many different ways to play a shot, that sometimes you don't get with parkland just due to the conditions.

 

[Deleted member 1147]

I really enjoy good examples of parkland, links & heathland. To be fair, I enjoy most golf courses.
What I don't enjoy playing so much, these days, is what I call "resort courses". Places like Carden, Breadsall, Hawkstone etc - some good courses but always let down by something (probably slow play/society novices).

I must play more links & heathland however, being from Derby most of my golf has been on parklands.

 

[TheJezster]

I don't really know the differences properly if I'm honest. I just like to play golf. As long as it's a nice course I'm fine, not really bothered if it's one of the 3 types. Not sure whether Wimbledon would be classed as parkland or heathland but that's where I play mostly. Possibly the nicest course I've played Ardglass? In northern Ireland. I think that's a links?

 

[Foxholer]

...
My favourite is whichever I am playing at the time. :thup:

This!

I've played a lot of links golf and one of the benefits is that it's never the same! Another is the ability to play pretty much all-year round - and the growth or flattening of the rough makes the course tougher or friendlier at just the right times! A Parkland course can get a bit 'samey' if played often and Winter Golf is often unpleasantly marginal. The scenery/environment is normally great whichever format. Of them all, I prefer the feel of the turf on Heathland courses.

There is also a Moorland style that is great too! Similar bouncy turf of Heathland, but not so many trees. Lanark and West Linton are examples.