Does anyone prefer Heathlands over Links courses

[Thomas Dai]

There is a very good reason a high percentage of Surrey/Berkshire heathland club members have an additional membership at Rye, Deal or Sandwich......winter golf.

Depth of their pockets would presumably be another reason?
atb

[Matt MacIver]

The reason the best heaths aren't mentioned in the top echelons of the World Top-100 (I think that's what you are asking?) is perhaps because they are not good enough. Generally speaking this is down to a dearth of any great sets of greens and a lack of scale and boldness that you get in many golden age American courses. Also - if truth be told - they haven't held major championships and don't capture the imagination for visiting golfers / raters in the same way a links does. This could be the biggest reason.

Thanks Ally - guess that's the real answer.  But wow they photograph so well!  Still on my bucket list but it's a big bucket. 

[Paul Jones]

I like both - I booked a trip to Scotland and excited I got a booking at Loch Lomond to get a break from all the great links golf.  it is like most things, you can have too much and variety is the key.

Loch Lomond is in no sense a heath course.

Adam,


How would you describe Loch Lomond? It is not a links course? I haven't played it yet, but did see if on TV a few times.

[Duncan Cheslett]

How would you describe Loch Lomond? It is not a links course? I haven't played it yet, but did see if on TV a few times.

Lowland Heathland is a very specific category of landscape, typified by nutrient-poor soil, low shrubby plants such as heather and gorse, and hardy grasses. It is generally the product of forest clearance centuries ago and has since been maintained by the grazing of animals such as sheep and deer. Much Lowland Heathland is sand-based and drains well, making it ideally suited to golf courses.


We also have Upland Heathland, more commonly known as Moorland.


In contrast, the golf course at Loch Lomond was built on a wooded site by the side of a lake.

[Adam Lawrence]

Loch Lomond is parkland in the truest sense of the word, as it occupies the former park set around Rossdhu House, now the clubhouse but formerly the home of the chieftains of Clan Colquhoun. It's also one of the wettest courses you'll ever come across -- the lake didn't appear there by accident!

[Tim Martin]

Lots of Golfers who have growth up on lush inland courses have won Open Championships.  Not so much the other way around??

But what's the ratio between links course and non-links courses in the world!?

I guess that's my question - and taking it up a level - Great links vs heathland?  Why aren't the best heathland courses listed amongst the best links, or non-links (Merion, Oakmont, etc).

Matt-Merion and Oakmont are parkland courses and as such wouldn't be included in that category based on soil and native flora conditions at least as I understand it. I would be interested to know what if anything garners a "heathland" moniker in the U.S.

[James Brown]

Lots of Golfers who have growth up on lush inland courses have won Open Championships.  Not so much the other way around??

But what's the ratio between links course and non-links courses in the world!?

I guess that's my question - and taking it up a level - Great links vs heathland?  Why aren't the best heathland courses listed amongst the best links, or non-links (Merion, Oakmont, etc).

Matt-Merion and Oakmont are parkland courses and as such wouldn't be included in that category based on soil and native flora conditions at least as I understand it. I would be interested to know what if anything garners a "heathland" moniker in the U.S.

Would Sand Hills or other US courses build on inland sandy dunescapes be considered "inland links?"  Or must we classify them something else?   Seems to me the only US courses that would come close to being classified heathland are on Long Island.  Maybe. 

[BCowan]

Would consider Kingsley as close to a heathland.  Sand Hills haven't played but more of a prairie course (new classification)

[Ally Mcintosh]

Would consider Kingsley as close to a heathland.  Sand Hills haven't played but more of a prairie course (new classification)

"Prairie" is a classification I've been using for a while now. Seems to fit like a glove.

[Tim Passalacqua]

How about Bandon Trails as a US heathland?  I know it has a few holes through the dunes, but the holes through the meadow and forest area look similar to pics from Sunningdale or Swinley.

[Tim Martin]

Lots of Golfers who have growth up on lush inland courses have won Open Championships.  Not so much the other way around??

But what's the ratio between links course and non-links courses in the world!?

I guess that's my question - and taking it up a level - Great links vs heathland?  Why aren't the best heathland courses listed amongst the best links, or non-links (Merion, Oakmont, etc).

Matt-Merion and Oakmont are parkland courses and as such wouldn't be included in that category based on soil and native flora conditions at least as I understand it. I would be interested to know what if anything garners a "heathland" moniker in the U.S.

Would Sand Hills or other US courses build on inland sandy dunescapes be considered "inland links?"  Or must we classify them something else?   Seems to me the only US courses that would come close to being classified heathland are on Long Island.  Maybe.

James-I like that term "inland links" as the sandy soil part of the equation is satisfied. My understanding of the terrain in that part of Nebraska is that the vegetation is certainly low lying but someone else that has been there would be better informed on the comparison.

[Steve Lang]

Why choose when you can go to Formby and have both?

or Why choose when you can go to Bandon!


Personally I've had no transition issues playing links, anyone that can exercise some grey matter should be able to make that transition,,, perhaps that's asking too much for even Joe-Six-pack, but i think not if they'd take just a little advice... I found TOC was a blast on only play... shot a 77 with simple suffering from two 3-putt greens... 


I think I'd love to be a member at Ganton more than Ballyneal...and my host there really liked playing ay my WCC courses in the north Houston woodlands.. he adjusted to bermuda very easily...


My $0.02, I don't buy the generalizations.   I'll play anywhere, links or heathlands or woodlands, and since I'd like to have something big to aim at, put me more onshore.



Kingsley?  Its Pure Michigan

[Dan Herrmann]

Why choose?   Bandon has become ridiculously expensive.
But then again, Bandon is among the very few links in USA.     

[David Davis]

I will go with links every time. The course may be ideal in winter but it’s still a different game than summer.And then there's wind.  Every game is more interesting with some.
With no trees around the holes, wind can affect the ball in ways you just don’t get inland.
Inland I've added 3 clubs to hit straight into a wind but I've never hit 4 clubs less when playing straight down wind, as I’ve have on a links. That's because the wind is also a big factor close to the ground. Even on putts.
It's also something you have to get used to.  The incessant battering your ears receive can be hard to take if you’re not used to it. The sound of silence as you step into the clubhouse is often very loud. No trees to rest behind, full on for 3 or more hours. It affects your thinking and comfort. I thnk this is the reason why I've often seen Scots wearing ski hats covering their ears in summer.    Oh and then you have to swing/chip/putt while trying to stay upright whilst ignoring you bag crashing over during your backswing.
 
As others have said, real golf.
 
 
 
 
 
PS David Davis admits to getting tired of being beaten up! Whatever next? Mayweather goes blow for blow with McGregor?  Is such a thing possible?

Tony,


You know me all too well. Patience says hi! I wrote that on a day we had a back tee stroke play match. The winner a +2 hcp shot 79 and won by 5 shots. Lots of good players, 100+ entries, lots of bad scores. Course is extremely hard at 7000+ yds.


I'm a linksman as you know just been getting beaten up a lot at home course this year. Not good enough.


the wind wasn't even that bad, just coming from a strange direction. A links like Deal or Royal St. Georges I play daily forever. :-)

[Tommy Williamsen]

I'm not sure I prefer one of the other but when I go to England I make certain I schedule tees times at both heathland and links. Both kinds are so different from what I play in the states. It is difficult to convince those who are going the first time to play some heathland courses, however. They know the links courses better. The first trips I suggest folks play links golf with only a couple heathland courses. I usually suggest Sunningdale and Walton Heath as the best representative of heathland courses.

[John Kavanaugh]

Why choose?   Bandon has become ridiculously expensive.
But then again, Bandon is among the very few links in USA.     

Why choose. Exactly. Go to Bandon and hang out with a gaggle of Californians in the bowels of Coos Bay. Or...London at the very heart of the world stage. Tough choice indeed.

[Tim Martin]

Why choose?   Bandon has become ridiculously expensive.
But then again, Bandon is among the very few links in USA.     

Why choose. Exactly. Go to Bandon and hang out with a gaggle of Californians in the bowels of Coos Bay. Or...London at the very heart of the world stage. Tough choice indeed.

Is the Dismal Devil's passport in order?

[John Kavanaugh]

If you want to avoid the Devil, lend him money. It's been a while.

[Kalen Braley]

So whats a great example of a heathland course?   While I've got a pretty clear picture of links in my head, I'm struggling a bit to think of an example that really shouts "I'm a fair dinkum heathland".


P.S.  If Loch Lomond isn't a Parkland course, I don't what is...

[Tim Martin]

If you want to avoid the Devil, lend him money. It's been a while.

 

[Peter Pallotta]

If you weren't a golfer, would your preference change?
Can you prefer links golf while preferring a heathland picnic?
Does your experience of the game outweigh your appreciation  of the environs?
For me: if I didn't play golf, I wouldn't want to bring a picnic lunch to Carnoustie.

[Tony_Muldoon]

Why choose?   Bandon has become ridiculously expensive.
But then again, Bandon is among the very few links in USA.     

 Or...London at the very heart of the world stage.

I'm so happy when the fiddler learns a new tune...