[Adam Clayman]

It sounded like they chose a panel of GCA mavens and made their own definition of Links Golf. IMO, its based on an archaic definition precluding many fine examples of courses that play similarly, if not better, than some, that qualify for their definition. I.e. Fischers and the new crop of Prairie Links.

[Ronald Montesano]

Adam, not sure that I agree completely with that statement. I know that you're basing your supposition on heresay (one of my favorite tactics) but I think that they made some good choices.

To me that there are two statuses (stati?): linksland and seaside course.  The Koehlers, Fishers, Pebbles, Maidstones and Kiawahs in the USA have the latter, while Sand Hills, Prairie Dunes, et al., have the former. Neither qualified into this book. Many will object to Kinsbarns' inclusion into the book.  A cynical parcel will suggest that there's economics afoot here; else, why include the Keiser Coterie of BDx3, Cabot and the Tasmanian Devils, at the exclusion of the sandbelt courses near Melbourne?

I think it's important to not take the book too seriously. It is the opinion of two men with enormous publishing clout and connections and is probably 90% accurate.  Since lives are not at stake, that's a decent percentage. Ultimately, the duo decided on three qualifiers for inclusion:  terrain, turf and weather (subdividing each into final qualifying points.)  They narrowed their choice nearly in half, from the 400s to around 250.

By the way, one space or two after periods these days?  Anyone?

[Jud_T]

Ron,

I was always taught 2 but my kids tell me it's 1 now.

[Adam Clayman]

Ol' Tricks. Its hard to type on these dern fangled cell phones.  I hope I cleaned it up to your satisfaction once I got back to my puter.
Not sure what you disagree with. The fact that they had a panel, or my opinion? I have no issue with what they have done. I just disagree with their definition. Others obviously do too.

The notion that a body of water is part of the criteria seems to be the glaring subjectivity. Since this planet was once all water, and many ancient oceans and glacial lakes, come and go, the fact that there's water adjacent at this time, is the limiting factor.

[Colin Macqueen]

Kevin,

Your post mentions "Some would suggest Barnbougle, Lost Farm and perhaps Port Fairy are the "true links" in Australia.  I thought that Barwon Heads was honoured as being a true links course in that it was estuarine. Am I being misled? I always thought its geological beginnings were true to form and its feel reminds me of the smaller links courses around the Tay estuary in Scotland.

Cheers Colin

[Paul Jones]

Perhaps I am missing something here, and I will ask you for some forgiveness in advance. It has been a long week. But...

Doesn't "linksland" mean that the golf course is the link from the sea to farmland? By that definition there are very few true links courses even though they may look liek the general perception of them.

I always figured they used that land to build a golf course since it was useless to farm and it was also the land people use to walk linking one place to another.  I do see more poeple using the term "links-style" golf courses - which usually means no trees.

[Robert Thompson]

Haven't heard from Donnie -- and don't know about Aussie courses -- but I'd say the day I played Fishers (last week) it played and looked like a links throughout. The first hole was wide and firm, the third hole looked and played like it was in Scotland, as did the fourth. The seventh through 12th all looked and played like a links. Now the marshland cape hole (not my fave there), didn't play like a links, but the following holes all did. So colour me confused.

As for the book, I had a read through it yesterday. The discussion of the Old Course was nice and it was cool to see links I've never heard of. As for the standard links, there was no new info there. I guess it is a nice collection, but I have other books that cover the same territory.

[Sean_A]

Proper links in the main is characterised by

1. sandy turf near the sea (not necessarily on an estuary)
2. grasses dominated by bents and fescues
3. firm (relative to inland courses) playing conditions virtually all year long


The number of bunkers has nothing in the least to do with links - that is an architectural question. 

The relative elevation change or bumpy VS flat terrain is all part and parcel of links.

Ciao

[Scott Warren]

The trouble with this discussion whenever it comes up is that people seem to want to shoehorn courses into a list of Links that just do not belong there.

Linksland is a particular combination of playing features and geology. I am sure plenty of great, wonderful, exceptional courses in the US and elsewhere might possess some of the characteristics of a Links course some or all of the time, but fast/firm surfaces and some sand underneath does not necessarily make them a Links.

I'm not sure why people can't accept their great courses as being what they are instead of trying to argue they are something they're not.

------

Ronald Montesano:

A cynical parcel will suggest that there's economics afoot here; else, why include the Keiser Coterie of BDx3, Cabot and the Tasmanian Devils, at the exclusion of the sandbelt courses near Melbourne?

Que? Which courses in Melbourne did you have in mind as links courses?

[Ronald Montesano]

Adam,

The point on the geology of the planet is an excellent one.  If the origins made the soils sandy, then the presence or absence of water is clearly an aesthetic one.  Aesthetics have not played a part in links accreditation, to the best of my knowledge.

Scott,

As pointed out in other threads, my lack of any experience on the Aussie Sandbelt courses forces me to depend on the writings of others.  Would you say that the MS courses are more similar to a Cypress Point (not on the list of USA links)  than to a St. Andrews?  If so, then I retract the insinuation.

[Kevin Pallier]

Kevin,

Your post mentions "Some would suggest Barnbougle, Lost Farm and perhaps Port Fairy are the "true links" in Australia.  I thought that Barwon Heads was honoured as being a true links course in that it was estuarine. Am I being misled? I always thought its geological beginnings were true to form and its feel reminds me of the smaller links courses around the Tay estuary in Scotland.

Cheers Colin

Colin

I have often heard Barwon Heads listed as a links course. Ultimately - it comes down to each person's definition and playing characteristics, turf type, and proximity to the shore for mine all play a part.

If I recall aren't it's fairways mainly introduced couch ?

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