What is a links golf course?

The essence of a links golf course has been a subject of ongoing debate among golfers, many of whom see it as the purest embodiment of the sport. Annually hosting The Open, golf's oldest major, links courses are often regarded as the ultimate proving ground in professional tournaments. This reputation stems from numerous elements, including the unpredictable weather conditions and the diverse challenges a links course presents to players throughout a championship.

During a discussion on the NCG Top 100s podcast, golf experts Tom Irwin and Dan Murphy delved into the characteristics that define a links course. Murphy humorously conceded, "We don’t know, that’s the problem." He elaborated, "Almost every time you come up with something you’re happy to hang your hat on, you realise there’s an exception. It’s a really British thing." He summarized the challenge by saying, "It’s one of those things where I can’t describe it but if I see it, I know it."

Defining Features of a Links Golf Course: A Rulebook Full of Exceptions

A common belief is that links courses must be situated by the coast. However, as Murphy pointed out, even this fundamental aspect can be challenged when examining the full spectrum of courses designated as links. He clarified, "I guess what we are originally talking about with those courses is that they are close to the sea, are on this infertile ground – between the beach and fields and land that could be used for cattle and agriculture." He added that this specific type of land "was only useful for this game of golf that was created." While this provides a foundational understanding, Murphy noted that "at every turn, we will find exceptions" to any characteristic one might associate with a links course. For instance, while many assume a links course offers ocean views, Royal Lytham & St Annes stands as a prominent exception, defying this visual expectation.

The type of grass is another frequently cited defining feature. Although many associate links courses with fescue, Murphy clarified that this isn't universally true, as various grass types are found on links courses. He noted, "Very few are pure fescue, and pure fescue is often unsustainable. It’s not possible to keep the surfaces right over a period of time." Similarly, while sandy soil is characteristic, exceptions exist, with some courses built on materials like gravel; Hayling Golf Club is a notable example, undeniably considered a links course despite this. The presence of trees is another common misconception, as many links courses, including some with renowned trees, challenge the idea of treeless landscapes. Finally, Murphy highlighted the variability even within a single course: "The land changes from one end of a golf course to another." He explained that a course might contain sections that are unmistakably links, while other parts, perhaps separated by a road, transition into different golfing environments, creating "a mixture of things."

The 'Holy Grail' of Golf

Despite the definitional ambiguities, Tom Irwin firmly believes in the allure of links golf, calling it the 'holy grail' of the sport. He emphasized the characteristics that, in his view, significantly enhance the game's enjoyment: "The types of things that define what you would view to be a links course [are] the ball moving on the ground, the wind exposed, firm turf, by the sea." Irwin concluded that "These are all the things that make golf infinitely more interesting and a much, much better game to play."