What is “links” golf?
Criteria for “Links” Come from Long-Ago. Especially in the U.S., the term “links” is frequently misapplied. “Links” refers to a very specific type of course. But nowadays it is common for any golf course that is relatively treeless to call itself a links course. And that’s not accurate. But in America, they get away with it. Most American golfers have never had a chance to play a true links until they travel to Ireland or Scotland. The British Golf Museum says that “links” are coastal strips of land between the beaches and the inland agricultural areas. This term, in its purest sense, applies specifically to seaside areas in Scotland. So “links land” is land where seaside transitions into farmland. Links land has sandy soil, making it unsuited for crops. The land, in fact, was thought to be worthless because it was not arable for crops. But back in the mists of Scotland, someone got the bright idea to put a golf course on that land. What else where they going to do with it? And links g
Original golf courses in Scotland and Ireland were commonly built on the wind swept terrain between towns and farmland and the rough ocean. This “no man’s land” essentially linked the two land regions, thus the term Links. Wayward shots today at Indian River Golf Links may feel like you are indeed in no man’s land, but rest assured our terrain is beautiful rolling grassland created to honor the links style and tradition.
Over 500 years ago, golf’s humble beginnings arose on a spit of sandy windswept dunes between the North Sea and the fertile farmlands near the Town of St. Andrews. The land upon which the game began has been described as Linksland — meaning the link between the sea and the farmland or some believe, the link between the sea and the town. Throughout the British isles, links golf is played on similar landscapes. Many golfers use “links” and “golf course” interchangeably. But the term “links” is actually a specific type of golf course.
