True Links

[RSLivingston_III]

Would anyone having the book care to quote the definition they decided on?

[Richard Choi]

Sven, it really depends on the time of the year.

In winter, it is pretty common to see 10 to 15 mph steady breeze and many wind storms where you see gusts upto 45 or 50 mph (it has been like that since Sat). In summer, things are much calmer and you are probably not going to see much more than 5 to 10 mph.

Based on my experience, the chance of you experiencing more than 5 mph is probably about 50/50. It is certainly not as windy as it is at Bandon.

[Jim Eder]

RS,

The exact quote on Chambers? Or the criteria for a true links course?

[Adam Lawrence]

It isn't a definition so much as a chapter. They say it depends on terrain, turf and weather, and then explain each of those factors in detail.

[Forrest Richardson]

I went round and round with them on what constitutes a links. Not sure what ended up in the book, but my take has always been that you need to focus on the origin of the word "links".

A seaside golf course constructed on a natural sandy landscape that has been shaped by the wind and receding tides. From the Old English “lincas”, meaning the plural of a ridge, a Scottish term to mean the undulating sandy ground near a shore.


From my conversations it appeared that they were tending to including such attributes as wind and the style of a course, not just the geography. Wind certainly has a place, but it alone does not make for "links" as you must have the tidal effect. At least that is my position.

[Jim Eder]

Forrest,

I think they really do a very good job describing the history of the meaning of links. They give a number of examples as to what others have viewed it as and they talk about strict definitions. They take into account the terrain, the turf and the weather. They ask a number of questions under these categories though a yes to all the questions is not necessary. And proximity to the see is important.  Their original list had close to 400 courses and that was whittled down to 246. Bayonne was excluded because it is too "man-made". Kingsbarns is a links despite it being very man-made. They do a nice job of discussing how purists and tradionalists take the definition of the British Musuem to be too broad. There is a lot there that really deserves a few reads. Personally, I think they do a very good job of pointing out a lot of views and they try to advance the discussion nicely. This is definitely more art than science but it does a very good job of encouraging great debate. It seems that you did a very good job in advising them on the definition.

[Forrest Richardson]

Well, they are good authors so it is no surprise that it is a good read. I recall one discussion where they were leaning toward including no warm weather turfgrass locales — that I disagree with because I do not think the Scots or anyone else ever thought the definition of linksland was tied to a particular turfgrass. It may be argued that linksland should be only land on which turfgrass might grow naturally (without artificial irrigation), but even this is a stretch. Land formed with dunes formed by tidal action and wind (my view) is still linksland and the Scots, whether seeing dunes land along a coast in China, Mexico or Tuvalu would certainly have considered it links(land), even though perhaps not suited for golf because it was dry.

[Jim Eder]

Forrest,

Very intersting. I never really thought of it in that depth of terms. Thank you for helping me think more about this. Good point.

[Matthew Mollica]

Any New Zealand courses make the list?

Surely Nelson, Oreti Sands and several others such as Paraparumu Beach are worthy of inclusion.

MM

[Jim Eder]

Matthew,

You are correct with the courses you mentioned. Also included are Chisholm Park, Hokitika, Karamea, Otakou, Takaka, and Westport.

[Richard Phinney]

Donal,

Gweedore is listed on pg 292 as one of the 246.  I do not see a write-up or any picture but they do include it. They do list Achill and Bushfoot etc so it is really encompasssing. 26 9 hole layouts and 2 twelve hole layouts (Shiskine and Rosslare Burrows)

Thank you Jim. Listing an obscure course like Gweedore is a good sign that the authors have done some research. I honestly didn't expect any writeup on this course as it's a very basic - but pretty - little course. It would have been worth sending the photographer over to take a few snaps, as the setting is wonderful.

Hmm...we are getting quite technical here, but I would be inclined to consider Gweedore a clifftop course built largely on farmland not linksland.

And they do seem to have missed Spanish Point, a very legitimate 9 hole links in Ireland.

But that is all fine print stuff....

[Shane Wright]

I did finally get my copy on Thursday.

As has already been said, the pictures are fantastic.  The write ups are short, but then again, I didn't purchase the book to get more information on the famous links courses.  The info and write ups on many of the lesser known links courses is what I'm excited to read and learn from.

They list 246 true links courses with only 5 being in North America.

I will share more info as I get further into the book, but I won't make it a contest with you Jim to see who can read the fastest    I look forward to your feedback as well.

When I first got the book, I flipped thru every page looking at the fantastic photos.  But have since been reading it daily from the front cover on.  I have found the information fascinating.  I have learned a ton in the first section of the book and I would think that most in the Treehouse would find the book very useful.  It gives a great history summary of some of the greatest architects and their origins.  It is definitely a great value at $27 with the information it provides along with photography.  I personally love the maps with locations of the 246.  They are definitely apologetic in their approach to the exclusion of a few which I happen to appreciate.   I can envision several more trips across the pond just to experience many of the "unknown" links.  I have no doubt the lesser known courses will benefit as a result of this book.