"Paul:
Kidd's no. 7 course ain't links. "
Jeff, I assume you consider Kingsbarns not a links for the same reason.
Kingsbarns ain't a genuine links either, no.
Am I wrong, Ian?
I hope no. 7 plays like a links. But it's not a links. Links ain't the course, it's the land upon which the course is laid out.
This is a subject very dear to my heart. I guess I probably know Kingsbarns better than any other GCAer and have looked upon it with the eyes of a user, as an employee and as a designer of landscapes. I feel therefore best-qualified around here to discuss it's 'linksness'.
I have said before that KB is not a links "in the traditional sense". What it is, is the finest piece of faux-links DESIGN, with a capital D-E-S-I-G-N, this side of the pond/planet/border.
The ground it's built upon is/was NEVER of linksy, sandy, duney topography. It was flat, agricultural ground of the dullest variety. However, the DESIGNER did a stellar job in transforming the terrain - which, given the underlying geology - actually turned out to be Linksland-in-waiting.
As a Scottish golfing 'experience', it stands amongst the best. Don't miss it...
No. 7 is a clifftop golf course. Not links, but as close as it's geographically possible to be...
FBD.