Deke
Journeyman Pro
Hi guys,I am soon to play my first round on the links,and I need to know how to prepare for it.Hitting into the wind I am fairly well prepared for,but what other skills do I need? (shotmaking,club choice,etc) Cheers!
Skills needed to play links?
- Thread starter Deke
- Start date
Parmo
Tour Winner
Punch shot and chip and runs 
Mike_j_golf
Q-School Graduate
keep the ball as low as possiable and keep out of the rough and bunkers it best to putt off the green so u will have long putts from off the green
Mike
Mike
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
None, just play it normally, and see how you go. If you start trying things out, that you don't normally play, you will play badly, and not enjoy it.
TRS30
Head Pro
Agree with all the above. Try and play your natural game where possible, this will give you the best chance of playing well. However certain shots are better like punch shots, chip n runs, texas wedge etc.
Robobum
Money List Winner
Thought this list would be never ending judging by the amount of people who think you need more types of shots to play on a links??
HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
Totally agree with the comments to date. Play your normal game especially if you're not use to links golf. Trying different things will only make it harder. You won't enjoy it and you'll confuse yourself as to what shot you need. If you can master the chip and run from around 30-40 yards that'll probably be your biggest friend. If the wind is blowing don't try and manufacture shots. Just club up and use your shots
Fyldewhite
Tour Winner
Although I'm a links fan it isn't a "different game". Just play as you would on any windy day at your own course. Course management is key though. Pot bunkers are no fun especially if you find one from the tee as they will usually cost you a shot every time. There isn't much scope for getting (say) a 7/8 iron to just short of the green and scrambling a par, you will be lucky to advance the ball more than 20-30 yards.
richart
Major Champion
Assuming the wind is blowing i would practice keeping the ball lower.Into the wind hit longer clubs with shorter smooth swing to keep the ball down.Allow for plenty of run,and accept the odd bad bounce!
I have played a fair bit of links golf at La Moye in Jersey,and found teeing the ball lower with the driver was helpful.Keep swing wide and don't hit down too much otherwise ball just pops up.
Good idea to practice these shots before you stand on the first tee.Also be prepared to play nearly every hole into the wind !
Otherwise take your normal game and enjoy !
I have played a fair bit of links golf at La Moye in Jersey,and found teeing the ball lower with the driver was helpful.Keep swing wide and don't hit down too much otherwise ball just pops up.
Good idea to practice these shots before you stand on the first tee.Also be prepared to play nearly every hole into the wind !
Otherwise take your normal game and enjoy !
B
birdieman
Guest
Hard bounces and faster greens than inland courses usually.
Your short game tends to get tested harder at the seaside I find. As Homer says just club up into the wind to stop spinning the ball too hard. The modern ball copes far better in the wind than the balls of yesteryear.
Links golf is ace, gotta take the bad breaks as part and parcel, you'll get some good ones too!
Your short game tends to get tested harder at the seaside I find. As Homer says just club up into the wind to stop spinning the ball too hard. The modern ball copes far better in the wind than the balls of yesteryear.
Links golf is ace, gotta take the bad breaks as part and parcel, you'll get some good ones too!
HogansAlley
Assistant Pro
Completely agree with many of the comments. The way some folk go on you'd think links golf was a totally different game - it's not. Don't fall into the trap of playing differently. Yes, you might get some uneven bounces but basically a good shot is a good shot no matter where you are playing.
bobmac
Major Champion
On the whole, parkland golf courses have flatter fairways and are softer than links courses.
I've played links courses like Saunton and Hunstanton where I didnt get a flat lie all day. It was always above your feet, below uphill downhill. You need to learn how to play those shots. Im not saying all parkland courses are like billiard tables but you do get more variations on links courses.
And as for trying to land a 3 iron on a links green in July and get it to stop that's a very difficult thing to do. On a soft parkland course it would be much easier.
Just two examples of how links and parkland golf differ.
I've played links courses like Saunton and Hunstanton where I didnt get a flat lie all day. It was always above your feet, below uphill downhill. You need to learn how to play those shots. Im not saying all parkland courses are like billiard tables but you do get more variations on links courses.
And as for trying to land a 3 iron on a links green in July and get it to stop that's a very difficult thing to do. On a soft parkland course it would be much easier.
Just two examples of how links and parkland golf differ.
pokerjoke
Money List Winner
If someone said to me go and play your normal game on a links course having never played links before it would not work.Usually links is windy or very windy not always but generally,lets say its windy.Firstly driving,this shot has to be kept low if it gets in the air its gone.A normal drive wouldnt be low.Secondly irons if you take your normal club for a certain distance into the wind i can guarantee you will be short,windy conditions you will be definatley be using more club as you will be keeping it low and using punch shots.Even putting can be different you may need a stronger stance to stop being blown about.Also the wind will effect the putt,so summing up i wouldnt suggest playing your normal game Links and Parkland are two different forms of golf.
T
thecraw
Guest
Playing links, best tip is
IMAGINATION!
IMAGINATION!
stevek1969
Money List Winner
Patience
Deke
Journeyman Pro
Thanks for all replies,much appreciated,keep em coming!
Hi guys,I am soon to play my first round on the links,and I need to know how to prepare for it.
at this time of year you'll need :
Thermals
Trousers
Waterproof Overtrousers
Socks
Change of socks
Vest
Shirt
Windproof jumper
Waterproofs
Hat
Spare hat
Winter gloves
Mitts
Handwarmer
Bumwarmer
A buggy, and someone to drive you round in it, coz you wont be able to move with all that gear on, let alone grip the club and take a swing.
Good luck you mad, impetuous fool.
DCB
Well-known member
The answers given previously, Imagination and Patience can be added to with Commitment. When you decide what shot to play, commit fully to it.
Screwback
Tour Rookie
Spot on advice, use your imagination and you will enjoy the course a lot more.
HRC99
Journeyman Pro
It isn't that different. I wouldn't think about changing your game too much unless it is really windy. As others have said, just play your normal game just be mindful of the wind as it can make a massive difference to club selection.
I remember playing a par 3 on a links course on two consecutive days. It was only 150 yards and I hit a wedge on the first day and a 3 iron on the second. I also had to aim about thirty yards out to sea which requires quite a bit of commitment to the shot.
I guess my extra word to add to this thread is commitment.
But enjoy it, its great fun.
I remember playing a par 3 on a links course on two consecutive days. It was only 150 yards and I hit a wedge on the first day and a 3 iron on the second. I also had to aim about thirty yards out to sea which requires quite a bit of commitment to the shot.
I guess my extra word to add to this thread is commitment.
But enjoy it, its great fun.
