Criteria for “Links” Come from Long-Ago. Especially in the U.S., the term “links” is frequently misapplied. “Links” refers to a very specific type of course. But nowadays it is common for any golf course that is relatively treeless to call itself a links course. Some golfers have not played a true links until they play an Irish or Scotish golf links courses. The British Golf Museum says that “links” are coastal strips of land between the beaches and the inland agricultural areas. This term, in its purest sense, applies specifically to seaside areas in Scotland. So “links land” is land where seaside transitions into farmland. Links land has sandy soil, making it unsuited for crops. The land, in fact, was thought to be worthless because it was not arable for crops. But back in the mists of Scotland, someone got the bright idea to put a golf course on that land. What else where they going to do with it? And Irish golf links courses emerged. Because they were close to the beach, lots of sand traps were a natural (the soil was very sandy, after all). But the traps had to be deeply recessed to prevent sand from being blown away by the constant wind. Because the soil was of a poor quality and constantly buffeted by the seaside winds, not much would grow on it – mostly just tall, reedy grasses, and certainly no trees. So a true links course is not any course that is treeless. The term “links” historically applies specifically to strips of land in seaside areas that feature sandy soil, dunes and undulating topography, and where the land is not conducive to cultivated vegetation or trees. Because they were built on narrow strips of land, links courses often followed an “out and back” routing. The front nine went out from the clubhouse, one hole stringed after another, until reaching the 9th green, which was the point on the golf course farthest from the clubhouse. The golfers would then turn around on the 10th tee, with the back nine holes leading straight back to the clubhouse. In modern terms, a “links course” is more broadly defined by Ron Whitten, the great writer on golf course architecture for Golf Digest, to include golf courses built on sandy soil (whether seaside or not) and that are buffeted by winds. Whitten says a links course must play firm and fast, with sometimes crusty fairways and greens that feature many knolls and knobs to create odd bounces and angles. And, of course, a links course, in Whitten’s definition, needs to be relatively treeless with a native rough that is tall and thick.
Starting your golfing vacation in Ireland could not be easier! For the West and South West fly direct to Shannon International Airport which gets you into the heart of the Shannon Region and the West of Ireland. There are scheduled flights daily, on a year round basis to and from major cities in North America, Canada and Europe. For the East or for connections to all regional airports fly to Dublin, for Northern Ireland or Donegal fly to Belfast International. Henry Golf Tours will help you arrange the most suitable flight itinerary, we can meet you at the airport to ensure your arrival is as easy as possible.
Golfers Guide to Ireland – A Useful guide to golfing Ireland.
Golfing Union of Ireland –The oldest golfing union worldwide.
Golf Daylight hours –Golf daylight hours in Ireland.
Currency Converter– Calculate your currency.
Menu
