What Is a Links Golf Course? A London Golfer's Guide

What Is a Links Golf Course?

A links golf course is a naturally shaped course, traditionally built on sandy coastal terrain and exposed to wind. Its defining features include firm fairways, dunes, pot bunkers, fescue rough, few trees and fast, undulating greens.

Links golf rewards a different approach to the game. Instead of relying solely on high, soft shots, you often need to use the ground, control trajectory and plan around the wind.

For London golfers, you don't need to book a flight to Scotland to experience the principles of links golf. Grip Golf's indoor Trackman bays let you play famous courses virtually at Tower Bridge and Deptford Park, whatever the weather.

The Origins of Links Golf

Historical roots in Scotland

The word links has roots in the Old English word hlinc, meaning rising ground or ridge. The term became associated with the sandy, undulating land found along Scotland's coastline.

These areas were often unsuitable for intensive farming but provided natural terrain for golf. Rather than reshaping the landscape, early courses worked with it.

The Old Course at St Andrews is the most famous example. It remains one of the world's best-known links courses and is closely associated with the history of golf.

This relationship with the natural landscape is one of the key things that separates links golf from more heavily landscaped course types.

What Are the Characteristics of a Links Golf Course?

If you're trying to identify a links course, look for a combination of natural terrain, firm ground and exposure to the elements.

Coastal, sandy terrain

Traditional links courses are found close to the sea, often on sandy land shaped by wind and water.

The ground tends to be free-draining, helping courses remain firm and playable in wet conditions. That firm surface changes how the ball behaves after it lands.

Dunes and natural contours

Links courses generally make use of the land that was already there.

You'll often find:

• Undulating fairways
• Natural dunes
• Sandy soil
• Fescue grasses
• Thick rough
• Few trees
• Uneven lies
• Firm, fast-running ground

The result is a course that can feel quite different from a manicured parkland layout.

Pot bunkers

Bunkers are another defining feature.

Links courses are known for deep, rugged bunkers, including the classic pot bunker. Their steep faces can make recovery difficult, particularly when the flag is positioned close to the hazard.

You don't always need to hit the ball further on a links course. Sometimes the smarter play is simply to avoid the bunker.

Firm and fast surfaces

Links golf is strongly associated with firm fairways and running approaches.

That creates opportunities for the bump and run, where a lower shot lands short of the green and rolls towards the target rather than flying all the way there.

It's a useful shot to have in your game, particularly when the ground is firm and there is room to let the ball run.

Why Is Links Golf So Challenging?

Wind changes everything

Wind is one of the defining challenges.

On an exposed links course, conditions can change the strategy for a hole considerably. A shot that might normally require a mid-iron could demand a completely different club or trajectory into a strong wind.

Good links golf therefore involves more than making a technically sound swing. You need to read the conditions and make sensible decisions before you hit.

The ground is part of the challenge

Firm ground creates unpredictable bounces and encourages golfers to think about where the ball will finish, not just where it lands.

A well-struck shot doesn't always need to fly directly at the target. Sometimes the best route is to land short and use the contours of the course.

Thick rough punishes inaccuracy

Fescue and long rough can make an errant drive difficult to recover.

The obvious lesson is simple: keeping the ball in play matters. A slightly shorter shot from the fairway can be much more useful than an ambitious drive that leaves you searching for your ball.

Greens demand pace control

Links greens can be firm and undulating. Putting well therefore requires good pace control and an understanding of the slopes.

The same principle applies to approaches. You need to think about the bounce and roll as well as the initial flight.

Links Golf vs Parkland Golf

The easiest way to understand links golf is to compare it with the type of course many golfers play regularly.

Links golf courses typically feature:

• Coastal or near-coastal terrain
• Sandy, free-draining soil
• Firm fairways
• Dunes and natural contours
• Fewer trees
• Deep or pot bunkers
• More exposure to wind
• Greater emphasis on ground play

Parkland golf courses typically feature:

• Inland locations
• More mature trees
• More heavily landscaped terrain
• Softer playing surfaces
• Water hazards and shaped bunkers
• Greater separation between holes

Neither style is inherently better. They simply ask different questions of your game.

A parkland course might reward a precise approach through a corridor of trees. A links course might give you several ways to attack the same hole depending on the wind, pin position and available ground.

Understanding that difference can improve your course management wherever you play.

Famous Links Golf Courses

St Andrews, Scotland

The Old Course at St Andrews is perhaps the world's most recognisable links course.

Its wide fairways, deep bunkers, natural contours and famous double greens have influenced golf course design for generations.

It is also one of the courses that has helped make links golf such an important part of the game's history.

Royal County Down, Northern Ireland

Royal County Down sits beside the Irish Sea and is framed by the Mourne Mountains.

Its dunes, narrow fairways, deep bunkers and demanding approach shots create the type of strategic test associated with classic links golf.

Royal Birkdale, England

Royal Birkdale is one of England's best-known links courses and has hosted multiple Open Championships.

Its rolling fairways, dunes and deep bunkers provide a classic test of links golf, particularly when the wind is up.

Ballybunion, Ireland

Ballybunion is known for its dramatic dunes and exposed coastal setting.

Like many great links courses, it rewards imagination. The ideal shot isn't always the highest or longest one.

Links Golf and The Open Championship

Links golf has a special relationship with The Open Championship.

The tournament is played on a rota of historic links courses, including St Andrews, Royal St George's and Carnoustie. That gives the world's best players a very different test from many of the courses they encounter elsewhere.

Carnoustie is particularly famous for its difficulty and has produced some of the most memorable moments in Open history.

The conditions are a major part of the challenge. Firm fairways, demanding bunkers, difficult rough and changing wind can turn a seemingly straightforward hole into a serious test.

How to Play Links Golf Better

You don't need to change your entire swing to become better at links golf. Start with your decision-making.

Control trajectory

A lower ball flight can be useful in strong wind. It can also help you take advantage of firm ground and allow the ball to run towards the target.

Learn the bump and run

Around firm links greens, a bump-and-run can be more reliable than trying to fly a wedge all the way to the hole.

Pick a landing spot, allow for the roll and commit to the shot.

Think about your miss

Links golf rewards golfers who think one shot ahead.

Before hitting an approach, consider where a missed shot leaves you. A sensible target can take a dangerous bunker or patch of rough out of play.

Use the ground

Don't automatically try to carry everything.

If the fairway slopes towards the green, or there is plenty of space short of the target, a running shot can be a better option.

This is one of the biggest lessons links golf can teach: the best shot isn't always the most impressive shot.

Can You Experience Links Golf in London?

You don't need to wait for a trip to Scotland or Ireland to experience the strategic challenges of links golf.

At Grip Golf, Trackman 4 is installed in every bay across the Tower Bridge and Deptford Park studios. You can play virtual golf on famous courses, including links layouts, while seeing the data behind every shot.

That means you can work on the parts of your game that matter for links golf without worrying about rain, wind or a four-hour journey.

At Tower Bridge, the studio is in St Katharine Docks and offers 24/7 member access. Deptford Park in SE8 is the home of Grip's coaching and offers Trackman bays alongside dedicated practice facilities.

It's particularly useful if you're preparing for a links trip. You can practise controlling trajectory, managing club selection and understanding how different shots behave before you arrive at the course.

And because Trackman measures your shots, you can work on the numbers as well as the feel.

If you're looking to improve your game rather than simply play a virtual round, Grip also offers professional golf coaching in London at both studios. Coaching is available separately from membership.

For groups, links-style golf can also work well as a different kind of London golf experience. Grip's corporate golf experiences include team away days, client entertainment and staff wellbeing sessions across the studios.

Why Links Golf Is Worth Playing

Links golf is interesting because it changes the questions you have to answer.

You have to consider the wind before choosing a club. You have to think about where the ball will bounce. You need to decide whether to attack a pin or use the safer side of the green.

That makes links golf as much about strategy as technique.

For a golfer used to parkland courses, the first round can feel unfamiliar. That's part of the appeal. You start seeing the course differently, and you begin to understand why bump-and-runs, low shots, careful club selection and creative recovery shots are such important parts of the game.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the characteristics of a links golf course?

A links golf course is traditionally built on sandy coastal terrain and shaped by the natural landscape. Typical characteristics include firm, fast fairways, dunes, fescue rough, pot bunkers, few trees, undulating greens and exposure to wind.

What is the difference between a links and parkland course?

Links courses are traditionally coastal, sandy and exposed, with firm surfaces, dunes and relatively few trees. Parkland courses are usually inland, more heavily landscaped, and characterised by softer ground, mature trees and more defined hazards.

Why is it called a links course?

The word links has roots in the Old English word hlinc, meaning rising ground or ridge. The term became associated with the sandy, undulating coastal land where early golf developed.

Can you play links golf in London?

Yes. Grip Golf's Trackman bays at Tower Bridge and Deptford Park let golfers experience virtual links courses indoors, year-round. It's a practical way to practise links-style shots and course management without travelling to the coast.

Is links golf harder than parkland golf?

It can be, but the challenge is different rather than simply harder. Wind, firm ground, uneven lies, deep bunkers and unpredictable bounces can make links golf particularly demanding and place more emphasis on strategy and creativity.

Ready to Play Links Golf in London?

Links golf is one of the best ways to test the complete game. It asks you to control your ball, read the conditions and make better decisions rather than simply hit the ball harder.

You can experience that style of golf without leaving London.

Book a session at Grip Golf and play on Trackman at Tower Bridge or Deptford Park. You can practise year-round, work on your game and experience famous golf courses from an indoor studio.