Parmo
Tour Winner
What are they? What is the difference between them and other courses?
Please can someone educate me on them.
Please can someone educate me on them.
Question regarding Links course?
- Thread starter Parmo
- Start date
HTL
Tour Winner
Links is golf in its true form.
Tommo21
Tour Winner
For me it’s fairly simple really, a course with part of it’s boundaries that hugs the coast line. In other words, a great big natural bunker lining one side of the fairway would be the norm on many holes.
It usually means more wind……at times, much more wind.
It usually means more wind……at times, much more wind.
stevelockie
Head Pro
All correct, usually lots of pot-holed bunkers. Lots of undulations on the fairway, it's possible for a perfect drive up the middle to bounce off into the rough. Large greens, with lots of slopes, difficult to read.
Lies are usually tight, due to the sandy nature of the soil.
The best part of links golf is the type of shot you have to play. It's very rare for you to play high shots into greens due to the wind and the reluctance of the ball to bite on the green. Bump and runs, punches etc are the order of the day.
The last links course I played was St Andrews Bay Devlin, last October and it was around the 14th hole before I was able to play a "normal" iron shot.
the other benefit of links golf is the greens are usually excellent all year round, course never floods and doesn't suffer from frost due to the proximity to the sea.
Parmo
Tour Winner
So Old St Andrews would not be classed as Links? I ask because I have a pc wallpaper of it and it says "old st Andrews links 2007" on it.
So you are saying any course with natural obstacles is a links, say sand dunes or maybe thick heather?
So you are saying any course with natural obstacles is a links, say sand dunes or maybe thick heather?
frasting
Club Champion
Links comes from the links land that is between the sea and the "inner" land... if you know what I mean.
The course's are usually very firm and sand based with the fairways and greens often shaped around the natural land.
The ball bounds on and its often windy so you need to hit knock down shots.
the courses are often marked with pot hole bunkers, blind tee shots and you can put from off the green a lot.
Great fun, but hard work!
The course's are usually very firm and sand based with the fairways and greens often shaped around the natural land.
The ball bounds on and its often windy so you need to hit knock down shots.
the courses are often marked with pot hole bunkers, blind tee shots and you can put from off the green a lot.
Great fun, but hard work!
Parmo
Tour Winner
Great cheers fellas, so its usually a sandy soil on the coast, so I take it you have to be of a decent ability to play and enjoy them?
St Andrews Bay is and never will be a Links course!It may be bordered by the sea but I am afraid it is as much links as the Belfry...and it floods regular although they are trying to address this issue.
Links golf is played on land akin to that of St Andrews,Royal Troon,Royal Dornoch,Hoylake,Ballybunion and my own Goswick to name but a few,hard fast running fairways and to an extent greens,rough made up of seaside grasses,soil that is sandy and drains easily are just a few of the characteristics.I am sure I read somewhere that in despite numerous courses claiming to be 'Links' there are only in fact around 200 in the world that are.
Links golf is played on land akin to that of St Andrews,Royal Troon,Royal Dornoch,Hoylake,Ballybunion and my own Goswick to name but a few,hard fast running fairways and to an extent greens,rough made up of seaside grasses,soil that is sandy and drains easily are just a few of the characteristics.I am sure I read somewhere that in despite numerous courses claiming to be 'Links' there are only in fact around 200 in the world that are.
Parmo
Tour Winner
So old St andrews would be classed as links?
old course is most def links....off to play it next Friday and despite this being my 12th time I simply cannot wait,the feeling as you peg it up at the 1st is superb,last year my pal was with us and it was his 1st time and he took 3 attempts to peg it up and keep the ball on the tee as his hands were shaking so much....you live for that,that is what it does to you.
viscount17
Money List Winner
I don't think you need be of decent ability to enjoy them. To compete with them and do well, yes, but to enjoy?
I once played a links course (no, <u>the</u> links course, St Andrews) but long ago and in another time when I had no appreciation of where I was (that I couldn't play at all may also have had a bearing). I <u>will</u> play a links course again!
I once played a links course (no, <u>the</u> links course, St Andrews) but long ago and in another time when I had no appreciation of where I was (that I couldn't play at all may also have had a bearing). I <u>will</u> play a links course again!
Tommo21
Tour Winner
What a cracking course Goswick is. Played there a few times many moons ago. Wouldn't mind another shot round there.
Any time you and any of your pals fancy PM me and I will play with you (and get you a great deal),Open Qualifying status this year for a minimum 5 years is recognition on what a great track it is.
Tommo21
Tour Winner
Goswick, £414 per year, that is superb value. 
or 12 quid with a member weekends or 8 quid weekdays!
Parmo
Tour Winner
Bloody hell thats cheaper than my muni and its a 9 holer!! I was thinking of moving to Spain but it seems north of the boarder has got the better deals going on.
toonarmy
Q-School Graduate
Erm, isn't one of the defining characteristics of links golf that the course is meant to go out in a straight-ish sequence of nine then turn round and come back in another line of nine? I know this is not definitive, but it is the true original concept, hence the courses being tight to shorelines and you're at your furthest point from the clubhouse on the 9th green/10th tee.
Also, a natural use of the land rather than excessive shaping and contouring is normal, as is a lack of water hazards other than natural burns/creeks etc. You don't get many trees usually either and the rough is almost always a bitch!
An absolute joy to play is also one of the natural consequences of true links golf. Love it, me.
Also, a natural use of the land rather than excessive shaping and contouring is normal, as is a lack of water hazards other than natural burns/creeks etc. You don't get many trees usually either and the rough is almost always a bitch!
An absolute joy to play is also one of the natural consequences of true links golf. Love it, me.
pjaz
Assistant Pro
Parmo
Links courses are just fantastic. If you have this months mag just look at the picture for Trevone (?) in Devon/Cronwall area and imagine how you will feel playing your approach into that green with the sea crashing in just a few feet behind the green and 40 mile per hour wind blowing directly in your line of play - decision time!!!!!
Also, you won't have to go far to get a taste of links golf - just go the east coast and try Flamborough, Bridlington, Skegness etc. We play Flamborough every year as the show piece of our socitey days - full english and 18 holes for £15.
Links courses are just fantastic. If you have this months mag just look at the picture for Trevone (?) in Devon/Cronwall area and imagine how you will feel playing your approach into that green with the sea crashing in just a few feet behind the green and 40 mile per hour wind blowing directly in your line of play - decision time!!!!!
Also, you won't have to go far to get a taste of links golf - just go the east coast and try Flamborough, Bridlington, Skegness etc. We play Flamborough every year as the show piece of our socitey days - full english and 18 holes for £15.
Parmo
Tour Winner
Thats a bonus, I wouldnt mind playing, I just looked at weekend breaks for St Andrews in a 5 star hotel and 3 rounds only £800 each lol
Tommo21
Tour Winner
I might just take you up on that offer Dodger. By the way, how many groundstaff look after Goswick?
