These rare courses are widely considered the best in the world and a true test of a golfer’s ability. We are happy to say that the overwhelming majority of links courses are in the UK with over 85% being located in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
So, what actually is a links course?
The word ‘links’ comes from the Old English word ‘hlinc’ meaning rising ground, (ridge) and refers to an area of costal sand dunes, a key feature in defining a course as a links course.
There are a few features that define a true links course. Firstly, and most importantly, links courses are completely natural; they are not man-made as the course follows the natural shape of the land. This is because, as links courses are the oldest style of courses, any earth moving had to be done by hand when many were constructed. Therefore, the course was made to fit the lay of the land, rather than the other way round.
Secondly, it’s crucial to mention the sandy soil; this type of soil is often found on the coast. This soil drains remarkably well ensuring the ground is kept firm making it the ideal conditions to play golf, generally this means the ball will roll further than on a normal course. When the game was founded, this was very important, and the sandy soil became a key feature in early golf courses.
Thirdly, Links Courses are along the coast, usually either within sight, or up to a mile from the sea. These costal courses have little to no trees, meaning there is not much protection from the elements. As they are very exposed to the wind, this often makes them difficult to play on. Due to said windy conditions, the bunkers on links courses are often deeper (known as pot bunkers), to ensure the sand does not get blown away.
The final feature of a true links course is the layout of the holes. Typically, they use the traditional ‘OUT’ and ‘IN’ routing; this means the first 9 holes go out to the furthest point from the clubhouse, and the last 9 bring you back in, before finishing with the 18th green which is often directly in front of the clubhouse.
Where are links courses
Over time, the exact definition of what makes a links course has been developed and altered. This has resulted in a lot of debate over what specifically counts as a links course, and which courses are included under this title. According to The Links Association, there are 247 true links courses in the world, of which 211 are in the British Isles. This is split with Scotland having the most (85), followed by Ireland (58), England (53) and Wales (15).
The other 36 courses are dotted around the world - there are 14 in continental Europe and 16 in Australia and New Zealand combined. America has only 5 courses and Africa just 1. This is one of the reasons links courses are so popular; they are incredibly rare, especially for golfers that are based outside the UK. It’s so difficult for many to get the opportunity to play on one of these amazing courses, so it’s certainly a life highlight for so many.
Why do people travel all the way to Scotland to play?
Not only does Scotland have the most Links Courses in the world, but it is also the birthplace of golf. This makes it a very desirable destination for many golfers who are looking to play on some of the most prestigious courses in the world.
One of the most notable Links Courses in Scotland is The Old Course, also known as the home of golf. It is the oldest golf course in the world, with the earliest documented games of golf dating back to 1552. It is a course known throughout golf, with the 150th Open being played there in 2022.
Other highly rated courses are those administered by the St. Andrews Links Trust, a collection of 7 courses: Old Course, The Castle Course, New Course, Jubilee Course, Eden Course, Strathtyrum Course and Balgove Course. These are beautiful costal courses that truly test a golfer’s ability, with rolling fairways and sloped greens. Without doubt, they pose a challenge to even the greatest in the sport.
Find out more about how you can play on these amazing courses here.
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