Many people believe that the word ‘links’ refers to the way the end of one golf hole defines the beginning of the next – rather like the links of a chain.
This is not so but it actually comes from the Old English word ‘hlinc’ meaning a stretch of flat ground along the seashore. And that is exactly what it is like. Sea on one side, land on the other (often the houses on the edge of the town form the boundary). It is a naturally occurring terrain usually on a well drained sandy soil.
The parkland course on the other hand is ‘purpose built’ and is often much more hilly and varied in terrain than the links course. Also, the presence of trees offers a different kind of hazard from those found on a links. Each course has its own type of problems and challenges but the links course probably calls for rather more ‘invention’ or ‘adaptation’ in the way the shots are played.
Parkland courses are mostly set in an area not infrequently wooded to some degree and often with heather, gorse, sand bunkers and sometimes water in the form of ponds or lakes. However, the main and striking difference between links and parkland is that the latter is much more obviously manufactured. This is not said by way of criticism since inland courses by definition have to be manufactured. The quality of the course though is more to do with the skill of the designer and how much this “manufactured-ness” shows. The optimum use of the space available and the incorporation of existing natural features – woods, trees, water, ups and downs – are where the architect can bring his creative powers to bear.
A links course on the other hand is usually a much more rugged proposition. It’s a completely natural setting – too ‘natural’ for some people – where the wind from the sea plays a much more prominent part in the game. The nature of the terrain forces you to adapt your shots to the prevailing conditions and the lie of the land. One great advantage though is that being on sandy soil it does tend to drain well and very quickly so the surface remains firm and playable all year round.
Nevertheless it is no place for the complaint ‘It’s not fair’. Life isn’t fair on a links and you have to brace yourself for that. You could hit a perfect drive straight up the fairway only to have it finish up on a hanging lie with three huge bunkers between you and the green two hundred yards away.
The distances on your scorecard will be accurate but useless. I have played at Turnberry where one of the par threes is an eight iron in the morning but a three wood in the afternoon – and it was nothing to do with the port at lunch.
Playing out of the rough is a different game; the whins and other grasses can twist your clubhead and make the ball behave in quite a different way when trying to chip on to the green from the rough.
Obviously conditions can get pretty wild at times as you are right out in the open with very little place to shelter if it does turn nasty. It helps to be resilient in your outlook as you are about to go head to head with nature – especially as nature is constantly changing which adds that extra demand on your skill and ingenuity. Some shots regularly used on parkland courses are used only sparingly on a links – for example, the lofted wedge to the green. It can be a lot safer to keep the ball under the wind. On links courses conditions have to be weighed up carefully before every shot – yes, including the putts.
Parkland courses on the other hand being that little further away from the sea are not usually quite so bracing. But they offer a different sort of challenge. An experienced designer will preferably also be an experienced golfer who will therefore understand how to pose problems and rewards for golfers looking for that challenge. The skill of the parkland course designer is also to give the course the appearance of being naturally formed; thus adding to the aesthetic appeal of the parkland course.
All in all it probably comes down to a question of personal preference – or where you have been brought up. Both types of course have their various challenges and pleasures so try them both and feel the difference for yourself.
Good golfing!