Simbo
Tour Rookie
I personally agree with you mate, I don't see the huge attraction in links golf, with the exception that the course is playable year round, I'd prefer to play Augusta over St. Andrews aswell.
Top 100 Courses Lists (links dominated..)
- Thread starter Stuart_Wales
- Start date
Blue in Munich
Crocked Professional Yeti Impersonator
+1. There is a reason why the Open is the best major on the circuit and that reason is because it is played on the type of course that tests your ability to hit every shot under every condition imaginable; a links course. if it were possible I would never play a parkland course again and confine all my golf to links or heathland courses.
Liverbirdie
Ryder Cup Winner
I played pakland courses for the first 15 years of my golfing life, and was more than happy with them.
Ive played 20+ very good/great links courses and have seen the light, as to the attraction, over the last 7-8 years.
I think you have to play them first, with I'm guessing, your parkland game. Then see the difference. Then learn to play the links courses, and learn the special shots required. They may not initially be the feast on the eye, that a great parkland course is, but over time the links great holes are also as stunning, especially at sunset,with the sea in the background.
Links courses bare any weaknesses in your game, more than your average parkland. I think you can go through your bag more and also get more creative with shot types.
Overall, I think one of the big reasons that links courses dominate the top 100 in the UK, is some of the following:-
1. We are an island nation with more golf courses than most, and apart from the Midlands, 90% of golfers will live within an hour of one. Unlike America.
2. The open is held on links courses only, so elevating them as must-play courses, especially amongst Brits.
I wouldn't start at Royal Porthcawl, as a bad day on the links could put you of them for life. I would start on other, cheaper options first, then if you feel your game is up to it, build up to the better and more expensive links courses.
I love parkland, heathland,links,moorland golf and relish all of them with their different challenges.
I could only liken it to tennis. Ivan lendl was the game's superior player in the mid eighties, but at Wimbledon he just couldn't win. I can only presume he couldn't transfer his clay court game to grass. Clay court tennis is more of a patient game than serve and volley tennis on grass.
Ive played 20+ very good/great links courses and have seen the light, as to the attraction, over the last 7-8 years.
I think you have to play them first, with I'm guessing, your parkland game. Then see the difference. Then learn to play the links courses, and learn the special shots required. They may not initially be the feast on the eye, that a great parkland course is, but over time the links great holes are also as stunning, especially at sunset,with the sea in the background.
Links courses bare any weaknesses in your game, more than your average parkland. I think you can go through your bag more and also get more creative with shot types.
Overall, I think one of the big reasons that links courses dominate the top 100 in the UK, is some of the following:-
1. We are an island nation with more golf courses than most, and apart from the Midlands, 90% of golfers will live within an hour of one. Unlike America.
2. The open is held on links courses only, so elevating them as must-play courses, especially amongst Brits.
I wouldn't start at Royal Porthcawl, as a bad day on the links could put you of them for life. I would start on other, cheaper options first, then if you feel your game is up to it, build up to the better and more expensive links courses.
I love parkland, heathland,links,moorland golf and relish all of them with their different challenges.
I could only liken it to tennis. Ivan lendl was the game's superior player in the mid eighties, but at Wimbledon he just couldn't win. I can only presume he couldn't transfer his clay court game to grass. Clay court tennis is more of a patient game than serve and volley tennis on grass.
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richart
Major Champion
I totally agree.:thup: Saunton East one of the finest courses in the UK, and would happily play there every year. No two rounds ever the same.
Really looking forward to trip to St Andrews in October. I have a feeling the Old Course will get it's revenge on me, for being calm and fast, and allowing me to play well.
scratch
Q-School Graduate
Without looking at any top 100 list, I'm guessing there are no more than 20 parkland courses in there, all the rest being links and heathland. There is a reason for that. Parkland courses are not as challenging as links. If your ball lands on a parkland fairway, chances are it will stay on the fairway, likewise the same on the green. On a links you can land on the fairway or green but not necessarily stay on it and you then face a tougher test for your next shot. Factor in wind and deep pot bunkers, long rough and a bit of heather and gorse and overall you have a much more interesting and testing game in front of you.
Close to Porthcawl you have Ashburnham and Tenby which are both better courses than P&K if you want to play a links. Pennard also plays like a links although technically it isn't.
Close to Porthcawl you have Ashburnham and Tenby which are both better courses than P&K if you want to play a links. Pennard also plays like a links although technically it isn't.
Hooper
Head Pro
Some very thoughtful and measured responses to the OP. Links golf has never really appealed to me either but after reading some of these responses I will give it a go. Well done and thanks
garyinderry
Ryder Cup Winner
i really like the challenge a links course throws at you. it can bring you to your knees some days when the weather is rough.
Stuart_Wales
Assistant Pro
Totally agree with this. I started this thread to get my arm twisted, and it has been! I'll be checking out a links asap. Thanks all!
Having now experienced Saunton West & East along with West Lancs, I just love the links experience and wished I lived closer to links courses as you wouldn't get me off them.
I also loved my first Heathland experience at Blackmoor which can be just as punishing if you don't hit the fairways but you don't experience four seasons of weather in a single round like on a links.
I also loved my first Heathland experience at Blackmoor which can be just as punishing if you don't hit the fairways but you don't experience four seasons of weather in a single round like on a links.
I enjoy links golf but live as far away as possible to decent links courses so rarely get to enjoy the unique challenges they offer. I can't see how the OP can dismiss what historically was the only type of course and then go on to say he'd rather play Augusta. Think there is more chance of playing and enjoying a links course.
cookelad
Tour Winner
A big +1 from me Rich, if I was within reasonable driving distance of a links or 2 I wouldn't see the need to travel inland! Maybe one day the missus'll let me head to the west coast of Scotland before I'm old enough to live in Southport!
Wayman
Tour Winner
links golf kicks parklands ass all day i think
give me a links track to play all year round
play parklands 10months at best
give me a links track to play all year round
play parklands 10months at best
Jdb2005
Challenge Tour Pro
I am a member of both links and parkland. Having just joined the links it took me a while to get into it but now I can't get enough,doubt I will get my memberships worth at the parkland
Foxholer
Blackballed
I frequently play at a 'top 20' and frequently at a couple of other highly ranked parkland ones. I was actually a little shocked to think to myself "I'm a little bored with this course" the other day! That would never happen on a links course - like I used to play, 3-6 times a week, a while back!
You can play 2 rounds a day for a month on a links course and the conditions, so challenge, would never be the same!
Get yourself along to some reasonably priced ones and experience it. And the scenery is generally fabulous too!
I'm off to play a couple of Heathland ones today though - should be fun too!
You can play 2 rounds a day for a month on a links course and the conditions, so challenge, would never be the same!
Get yourself along to some reasonably priced ones and experience it. And the scenery is generally fabulous too!
I'm off to play a couple of Heathland ones today though - should be fun too!
MashieNiblick
Tour Winner
Another parkland member who loves links golf.
First introduction was at Princes, which was pretty challenging, but got so jealous looking across at Royal St George's I got myself a game on there too. Wow. Made me think all my golf up til then had been the equivalent of playing tiddly winks!
Have since played a few more including the New and Jubilee at St Andrews, Westward Ho! and Saunton East.
I too wish I lived nearer the seaside and could indulge in this golfing treat a bit more often.
First introduction was at Princes, which was pretty challenging, but got so jealous looking across at Royal St George's I got myself a game on there too. Wow. Made me think all my golf up til then had been the equivalent of playing tiddly winks!
Have since played a few more including the New and Jubilee at St Andrews, Westward Ho! and Saunton East.
I too wish I lived nearer the seaside and could indulge in this golfing treat a bit more often.
damos13
Hacker
I play mainly inland courses and my home course is sea side parkland but I love links its just different and definitely worth trying
I play pretty much all my golf at links courses.
Last year I played at a parkland once maybe twice at most. I’ve been a member at a Parkland and started my golf on a parkland. But… Links is better and makes you a better player to boot. You have to have a range of shots and be able play in all conditions as a Links course can play differntly from day to day and you rarly have the same conditions from round to round.
I can pretty much take my game to any course and get round to my handicap more or less. We get guys come up and play from parkland courses and struggle with the wind, tight lies, along with the odd bad bounce
Go and try a few Links and let us know if you feel the same then.
Last year I played at a parkland once maybe twice at most. I’ve been a member at a Parkland and started my golf on a parkland. But… Links is better and makes you a better player to boot. You have to have a range of shots and be able play in all conditions as a Links course can play differntly from day to day and you rarly have the same conditions from round to round.
I can pretty much take my game to any course and get round to my handicap more or less. We get guys come up and play from parkland courses and struggle with the wind, tight lies, along with the odd bad bounce
Go and try a few Links and let us know if you feel the same then.
Region3
Ryder Cup Winner
I am happy to concede that there may be something wrong with me.
I've only every played 2 rounds (one course) of links golf - on supposedly quite a good one - and I wouldn't be sad if I never set foot on another links course again.
Barren, bleak, post apocalyptical wastelands. Augusta over St. Andrews? I'd take Sherwood Forest over St. Andrews.
Ethan - If the man himself is to be believed the story is true, also made worse by the fact that the man he made the comment to was a Duke!
I've only every played 2 rounds (one course) of links golf - on supposedly quite a good one - and I wouldn't be sad if I never set foot on another links course again.
Barren, bleak, post apocalyptical wastelands. Augusta over St. Andrews? I'd take Sherwood Forest over St. Andrews.
Ethan - If the man himself is to be believed the story is true, also made worse by the fact that the man he made the comment to was a Duke!
Akie
Head Pro
Haven't played enough links courses to form a proper judgement but not sure I'd want to join one to play week in, week out unless I fell in love with a certain course (which would probably be out of my price range).
Jdb2005
Challenge Tour Pro
£460 for my links course number 28/100 in Scotland . Great value for links and the course is excellent
