The heritage and history of Links Golf

There are over 200 true links courses in existence today. A small percentage by any standard in the context of the thousands of courses throughout the world. So it’s understandable why links courses are the most coveted and revered  among the golfing community.

“Links” derives from the Old English hlinc, meaning lean. It was known a thousand years ago as comparative level ground or undulating sandy ground near a seashore, covered with turf and coarse grass. Such land was called hlinces in a land charter of 931. What sets links apart from the lush inland variety of courses is the unmistakable desolate (or lean) appearance throughout the terrain.

Many links are located in tranquil coastal areas, on sandy soil, often amid dunes, with few water hazards and few if any trees. This reflects both the nature and  ruggedness  of the landscape where the sport happened to originate, and the fact that only limited resources were available to golf course architects at the time, and any earth moving had to be done by hand.Therefore soil disturbance was kept to  a minimum.

In the early days, links terrain was ideal for golf enjoyment for several reasons. The land was naturally undulating and extensive but of little agricultural value and therefore very suitable for this kind of use. It was said that bunkers originated from striking balls that continuously landed in the same area in the dunes.