What Is Links Golf?

Often referred to as golf in its purest form, links golf is as unique as it gets. That's why the oldest major championship in golf, The Open, is played on a true links course every year.

If you don't know what links golf is, the following article will dive deep into the history of links golf courses and explain why you need to get yourself to the coast and experience golf in its truest form.

A links golf course is typically found either on a coast, or very near one. They can only be described as artistically painted and crafted into the landscape that Mother Nature provided.

In contrast, modern golf course architects will design the course they want to build - rather than the course that suits the terrain. This is why modern course design is very artificial with man-made bunkers and water hazards.

Links courses are found in areas where the land is incredibly undulating, sandy underfoot, and surrounded by dunes. Not to forget other characteristics such as extreme winds, the sound of seagulls, and the taste of salt in the air!

Notably, these conditions make it extremely difficult for tree growth and therefore links tracks are home to more native grasses and sand dunes. However, despite the lack of trees, this doesn't make them any easier, as links courses have Mother Nature and her strong winds to defend them!

If you've ever watched The Open Championship, you might have heard the term "wrong side of the draw" thrown about. This refers to the golfers who found themselves, unfortunately, starting their round of golf when the wind and rain were strongest. Naturally, this makes their round of golf considerably more difficult compared to the golfers who teed off at other times.

Links golf adds an additional layer of complexity because of the surrounding weather conditions when playing, meaning that players might need to invest in either men's waterproofs or women's waterproofs.

The Old Course at St Andrews - The Home of Golf

Golf is such a fun and beautiful game, however not an easy one, and this couldn't be more true than when you are playing on links golf courses!

Playing links golf requires a completely different style of play compared to when playing either parkland or desert courses. The strong winds require golfers to flight their ball lower and use all the apron areas - it is extremely difficult to stop a ball on a green when there's a 30mph tailwind!

Playing on true links courses requires you to carefully consider which club to use before taking a swing. For example, if you're 150 yards away from the green on either a parkland or desert course, you may only have to hit a 7 iron. On the other hand, on a links-style golf course, one day 150 yards downwind could be a 9 iron then later on the same day be a 4 iron into the wind!

Golf originated on the northeastern coast of Scotland. St Andrews is regarded as the home of golf and, without a doubt, our top recommendation when referring golfers to a true links golf course.

However, although St Andrews will always have a place in our hearts due to its history, the course itself isn't regarded as the best links-style course out there.

There are many true links golf clubs across the country. A links golf club will be found near the coast, so you will never be far from one living in the UK!

The main reason links are so special is undoubtedly their history. It goes without saying that the experience of stepping foot on the sandy ground, with the sound of the birds chirping and the taste of the salt from the sea in the air, is unique.

However, knowing you're playing a golf course that is flooded with history and walking along the same fairways that some of the game's greats have walked is a pretty special feeling.

Famous Links courses

Playing on links will, without a doubt, be one of the most fun rounds of golf you will ever have. Links-style courses require a unique approach and the coastal location along with the natural terrain make for some of the most memorable experiences for all golf fans, no matter their ability.

The way course designers shape golf holes into the terrain just makes playing links a completely different experience to inland courses.

Naturally, different courses will require different types of golf clothing, so make sure to checkout our ranges of both men’s golf clothing and women’s golf clothing.



Royal County Down Ireland’s top links golf course