TonyN
Money List Winner
Links Golf is just fantastic, I have only played 2 rounds both at Goswick and I fully intend to play alot more. I dont know what I prefere but Links is a welcome change.
Links v Parkland
- Thread starter TRS30
- Start date
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
I've never played links but judging by what the links players say and watching the Open I think it would take a long time to get to grips with the different style of play. As a result, if I ever get to play links I shall not treat it as a mission to play to my handicap - that's just not going to happen - its going to be a lets play this game and see what happens type of round.
I'm never going to play enough links golf to get to the standard I am on a parkland course.
I'm never going to play enough links golf to get to the standard I am on a parkland course.
AlchemyGolf
Head Pro
Im probably a bit biased having been brought up on the golf coast of Southport.
During my mid to late teens as a junior I played for the mens scratch team and regulary played Birkdale,Formby,Hillside in matches as well as my home course Southport and Ainsdale.This brought my game on in spades with the challenge of these courses and playing against men.
When I played at county level the links guys were much more complete players with far more shots in there locker than the parkland guys especially around the greens.
I play at a parkland now and TO ME the ball seems to sit up on grassy spongy lies all the time in the summer because I was brought up on hard pan tight lies.Short game is a lot easier as well with a lob wedge being used most of the time on to a softer green.
Links golf makes you a better player and is ultimately the purest style of golf.
During my mid to late teens as a junior I played for the mens scratch team and regulary played Birkdale,Formby,Hillside in matches as well as my home course Southport and Ainsdale.This brought my game on in spades with the challenge of these courses and playing against men.
When I played at county level the links guys were much more complete players with far more shots in there locker than the parkland guys especially around the greens.
I play at a parkland now and TO ME the ball seems to sit up on grassy spongy lies all the time in the summer because I was brought up on hard pan tight lies.Short game is a lot easier as well with a lob wedge being used most of the time on to a softer green.
Links golf makes you a better player and is ultimately the purest style of golf.
OldWindy
Q-School Graduate
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- Apr 2, 2008
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Ah, well, what you need to do is play another couple of rounds to get used to it. Once you start getting the measure of the course you will understand what it is you need to do, by course management and/or shot-making. You will surprise yourself.
rgs
Tour Rookie
Both pose different tests for the golfer.
I enjoy both options, a day playing golf on links or parkland is better than a day at the desk.
I enjoy both options, a day playing golf on links or parkland is better than a day at the desk.
nicksampo
Assistant Pro
Even though I've not had much experience of other clubs (except for some cheap pay and play around Reading) I'm told that my course is about as links as it gets! Sometimes I do dream of those parkland fairway lies where the balls is held up like a trophy, but the challenges that my course is throwing at me as novice to the game is I'm sure going to put me in good stead. So for me its links...... unless its windy 
viscount17
Money List Winner
My links experience is Goswick and I want to go back - that answer the question?
That said there are lots of places to get into trouble on any type of course - if you have a shotgun approach as I do.
As to the faster greens, those at the Hertfordshire on Friday were faster than Goswick, what they'll be like when they dry out in the summer I hate to think.
That said there are lots of places to get into trouble on any type of course - if you have a shotgun approach as I do.
As to the faster greens, those at the Hertfordshire on Friday were faster than Goswick, what they'll be like when they dry out in the summer I hate to think.
D
Deleted member 1740
Guest
I've only ever played a links once, Leasowe GC and it was very windy, cold and very tough.
Although i had a nightmare round i would like to play links a lot more as i feel it is the hardest type of track to play with much tougher weather conditions.
Although i had a nightmare round i would like to play links a lot more as i feel it is the hardest type of track to play with much tougher weather conditions.
shagster
Head Pro
i have been lucky enough to play links golf a couple of times, and its tricky, but as i play downland golf, and on a clear day can see about 30 miles each way, it can get windy, this is as close as you can get. several holes wear the fairways are shorter the most parkland greens. exciting golf, lots of bump and run, or landing short, and rolling on. if you havent played downland coarses give them ago.
RGDave
Money List Winner
I love playing on Links courses.
If it's windy....forget it! (hats off to those guys that can do the playing in the wind thing).
Otherwise, I like the game more.
no. 1 my drives seem to go further!
no. 2 my super-7-iron chip and runs can be played from almost any distance. ( I can't pitch between 20-50 yards!)
OK, so the greens can be scary, but I tend to putt better when I can actually "see" the break. I don't like silly "almost-flat" greens......my eyesight isn't good enough to read a thing. Give me a whopping hill anyday!!!
If it's windy....forget it! (hats off to those guys that can do the playing in the wind thing).
Otherwise, I like the game more.
no. 1 my drives seem to go further!
no. 2 my super-7-iron chip and runs can be played from almost any distance. ( I can't pitch between 20-50 yards!)
OK, so the greens can be scary, but I tend to putt better when I can actually "see" the break. I don't like silly "almost-flat" greens......my eyesight isn't good enough to read a thing. Give me a whopping hill anyday!!!
HarryMonk
Challenge Tour Pro
Most of my local coures are links, and they are much more challenging aspeically when the wind is blowing.
It is nice sometimes to go inland, play a parkland course and have a chat on the way round without having to shout and also see your drive go straight and true with no wind blowing it off course or taking yards off.
It is nice sometimes to go inland, play a parkland course and have a chat on the way round without having to shout and also see your drive go straight and true with no wind blowing it off course or taking yards off.
Herbie
Tour Winner
There are different challenges on different courses, I find Links courses offer the biggest challenge when its windy. I have played a number of Links courses that completely change when old windy comes out to play, but I found most of them were of a different challenge when its calm. Ive also played a couple that were only a challenge when windy.
Fenland or inland courses can be just as challenging as Links when its windy too.
Parkland or Woodland courses can be a real challenge anytime just as some can be quite easy, it depends on the course.
I think a lot of golfers favour parkland because its less windy and often more things to look at and there is often shelter from the elements especially the wet.
Fenland or inland courses can be just as challenging as Links when its windy too.
Parkland or Woodland courses can be a real challenge anytime just as some can be quite easy, it depends on the course.
I think a lot of golfers favour parkland because its less windy and often more things to look at and there is often shelter from the elements especially the wet.
fastmover2
Assistant Pro
I love to play true links but having said that it can do your head in at times. No moaning about "unfair" bounces pleas ,who said golf was suposed to be fair anyway?
As others have said it is a different game and you do need to be much more creative and ,yes,patient!
I much prefer the tighter fairway lies on links.
You have to remember that in tough conditions anything sub-80 (nett) can be a very very good round of golf.
As others have said it is a different game and you do need to be much more creative and ,yes,patient!
I much prefer the tighter fairway lies on links.
You have to remember that in tough conditions anything sub-80 (nett) can be a very very good round of golf.
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
I quite like heathland, which to my mind is a good combination of both.
Adi_Dassler
Club Champion
I'm born and raised Edinburgh and having so many wonderful links courses close at hand is a joy.Gullane being top of the pile in my area( I include Muirfield in that assesment too btw)They look like a golf course should look, since Leith links through Musselburgh racecourse and onwards.If the wind is blowing ( as it usually does in East Lothian) the game is harder, and as a 20 handicapper it can destroy you, but thats the nature of golf.
Parkland is great, I just prefer Links.Gullane,Dornoch,Troon,Carnoustie,Machrahanish,Portrush,county Down, the names go on, but on a sunny day with a slight breeze god could not improve the setting.
Parkland is great, I just prefer Links.Gullane,Dornoch,Troon,Carnoustie,Machrahanish,Portrush,county Down, the names go on, but on a sunny day with a slight breeze god could not improve the setting.
freddielong
Tour Winner
Both are really enjoyable but there is nothing like hitting a long iron of a really tight links fairway into an undulating green - brilliant
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
Or a hybrid. 
freddielong
Tour Winner
love it - nice shot Murph
KeefG
Journeyman Pro
Never played a links course yet, would very much like to when i'm a bit more consistent off the tee though.
Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
The fairways at Crowborough Beacon have a very "linksy" feel to them. Nice short grass that you can really nip the ball off of, and dodgy bounces that could take your ball one way and then the other.
God I miss it
God I miss it
