Definition of a traditional golf course?

[Bruce Simons]

Can someone define what a traditional golf course is? To me, it should be by definition something like Prestwick with blind shots, quirky bounces, nature leading the way, etc. As we move away from those original links courses, we move away from "traditional" golf design. What we should call it, I have no idea but I do believe traditional is flat out wrong.

[Ran Morrissett]

I suppose you have to break courses out according to their type: traditional heathland, traditional parkland, traditional links, etc. Doing that, Prestwick certainly qualifies as "the" traditional links. I know what you are saying though - some people would call Muirfield a traditional links and nothing could be further from the truth.

[Dean Paolucci]

Just for fun I went back to the first page I could get too and looked at what was being talked about on page 815 over 8 years ago.  With all of the knowledge that has been accumulated from this informed group would "traditional' have different meaning in the US than abroad?  Discuss!