General Survey – Have you played a Links Course?

[Melvyn Morrow]

How many of GCA.com members have NOT played a Links Course

I prefer Links courses period and given the opportunity I would always try to play the links courses first. So I would be interested to know why you have not as yet played a Links Course.

Melvyn

[John Kavanaugh]

I love links golf so much that I joined Dismal River.

[Ally Mcintosh]

I've played one or two, Melvyn... I've played one or two Heathlands too...

But I haven't played a single one of those top-rated Parkland courses in The States so mark me down as one of those unable to compare and contrast...

[Melvyn Morrow]

Ally

No question of comparing, just to get a feel of how many have experienced a Links course

Melvyn

[Bill_McBride]

I have played more than a few in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, and prefer playing links courses.

Does any of the golf at Bandon Dunes really qualify as links?  Parts of all four courses certainly play like links golf, even in the rain!

[Richard Choi]

This is a trick question, right? Whatever I say, if it is not in Scotland and not built over 200 years ago, you are going to be like..

[Gary Slatter]

Love real links courses, where ever they are!  Happy to have played many in Scotland, Ireland, England, Denmark and Wales.

[Carl Nichols]

I've played about 15 links courses.

[Melvyn Morrow]

Richard

This is not a trick question - have you played a links course?

Melvyn

[John Kavanaugh]

Melvyn,

I do not know anyone on this board who has not played a links course.

[Melvyn Morrow]

John

Lets wait and see

Melvyn

[mike_beene]

love links courses and they are my favorite(particularly the Old Course) but I like other golf too and wouldn't get to play at home if I couldn't handle some mud and Bermuda.

[Ben Sims]

I've played two really good ones in southeast Texas and northeast Colorado.

[Adam Clayman]

Melvyn, Would you limit the definition of what a links course is, or would you have a more liberal definition?

According to some, I've never played a links course.

[Ian Andrew]

Played 32 that make the book - not sure what that does for ya'

[Melvyn Morrow]

Rather than enter into another debate let’s define a Links course for the purpose of this question in the following general format
a)   The course is built along the seaside;
b) The soil is sandy and drains easily;
c) The course is laid out naturally, so that unusual bumps and slopes in the fairways and greens remain, rather than being smoothed over;
d) The rough features natural seaside grasses;
e) Bunkers are numerous, very small and very deep (to keep the seaside breezes from blowing the sand away)
f) Fairways are rarely watered and play firm and fast;
g) Links courses usually have few if any trees if any;
h) The course routes out and back. The No. 1 hole begins at the clubhouse and the front nine plays straight out so that No. 9 is farthest hole from the clubhouse; the direction turns back in at No. 10 and the course ends with No. 18 back at the clubhouse.

Melvyn


PS Ian - You show off 

[Brent Hutto]

Yes, several. Liked all of them. Then again, I like most of the parkland courses I've played. I'm easy.

I can't imagine passing up any opportunity for a round on links turf, especially since for me living in the USA and not traveling much such opportunities are infrequent and hard to come by.

[Ronald Montesano]

Jaka...I know at least one dude who has not played a links.

Personally, ST. A old and new, the Bandons (not EIEIO), the faux links at Koehler... decided early on to put family and education ahead of golf travel.

Would I choose a links over a course like Ballyhack or Kinloch or Pete Dye GC or Old Town?  If I had not played it, perhaps.  I love what links golf offers but, raised on earthy soil, I'm also partial to mountain courses and farmland courses.

[Matt Kardash]

Do you consider Highlands Links to be a links course? If not, then no, I have never played a links course.

[Melvyn Morrow]

Matt

A links course for the sake of this exercise to reflect either TOC, Askernish, Prestwick, Tain Royal Dornoch, Moray, Cullen Cruden Bay and on and on as defined in my earlier reply.

Names are names but that on/off shore winds will define it as a links course which must be adjacent the sea. I'll leave it to you to decide.

Melvyn   

[Ally Mcintosh]

Melvyn,

I'd knock out (e) and (h) if I were you. Including them undermines what you are asking.

Ally

[Melvyn Morrow]

Ally

They seem fine to me as a basic example of a links course.

Melvyn

[Bill Gayne]

I think George Peper and Malcolm Campbell did a complete and rational job of defining and identifying the universe of links course in their excellent book "True Links." I've played several links courses on multiple vists to Ireland and Scotland.

[Melvyn Morrow]

A Pot (deep) Bunker



A Links Course Out & Back



Melvyn

[mike_beene]

Melvyn,I take it Murfield is not a links by your definition?Also,courses like Carnoustie don't really play out and back.