
via Imago
Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler Image credits: IMAGO

via Imago
Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler Image credits: IMAGO
Ever wonder why golf feels so different at links courses? While modern golf courses spend millions creating ‘championship conditions,’ the world’s greatest golf challenges were carved by wind and waves thousands of years ago. It’s crazy when you think about it. Today’s perfectly manicured layouts rely on artificial beauty and predictable conditions, yet links courses remain golf’s truest test—raw, unforgiving, and utterly honest.
Golf originated on these coastal strips of land centuries ago. However, modern course design has moved away from this natural foundation. Notably, the Open Championship is exclusively played on links courses, recognizing their status as golf’s ultimate examination. Consequently, we’ve created a fascinating divide that reveals three fundamental truths about what makes golf truly challenging.
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Nature isn’t trimmed—it’s respected
Links courses embrace the land exactly as nature created it. These layouts feature rolling dunes, native grasses, and unpredictable lies, all without any artificial manipulation. Moreover, the sandy soil drains naturally, creating firm conditions that change daily in response to weather patterns.
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Parkland courses tell a completely different story. They require extensive irrigation systems, manicured rough, and constant maintenance to achieve their pristine appearance. Furthermore, these courses often cost between $556,613 – $1,083,647 annually to maintain, while links courses operate with minimal intervention.
The difference becomes obvious during play. Links courses feel alive and responsive to natural elements. Each round presents unique challenges as wind patterns shift and ground conditions evolve. Playing golf on a course that’s been shaped by the forces of nature creates an authentic experience that no amount of landscaping can replicate.
The elements are always in play
Wind dominates every decision on links courses. Players must flight their shots lower, account for gusts, and constantly adapt their strategy. Additionally, firm ground conditions mean balls react unpredictably, bouncing and rolling in ways that demand creativity over power.
Smart players make equipment adjustments accordingly. Tour professionals reduce driver loft to achieve lower launch angles with less spin, while switching to lower-compression balls that penetrate wind better than high-flying alternatives.
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Do links courses separate the true champions from the power hitters? What's your take?
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Traditional courses offer controlled environments instead. They feature tree-lined fairways that block wind, soft conditions that stop balls quickly, and predictable bounces. However, this protection comes at the cost of authentic challenge.
The statistics prove this point dramatically. During the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, 30mph winds turned elite professionals into struggling amateurs. Phil Mickelson shot 77, Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth both posted 78s, while Rory McIlroy carded an 80. These conditions separate true champions from merely talented players.
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Strategy over power
Links golf punishes mindless aggression ruthlessly. Deep pot bunkers like those at St. Andrews—including the infamous Hell Bunker that’s 10 feet deep—swallow wayward shots completely. Players often face sideways or backward recovery shots, making course management paramount.
The best links players prioritize different skills entirely. While approach play typically dominates modern golf success, links courses reward superior putting and around-the-green performance, particularly when greens run firm and fast, demanding precise distance control over aerial precision.
Modern power players consistently struggle with this reality. Bryson DeChambeau, despite his bombing drives, gains only 0.1 shots per round on windy days compared to 1+ shots on calm conditions. His towering ball flight becomes a liability rather than an advantage.
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Recent Open champions consistently prove this pattern. Shane Lowry, Francesco Molinari, Jordan Spieth, and Henrik Stenson aren’t particularly long drivers. Instead, they excel at reading conditions, managing risks, and executing precise shots under pressure.
Links courses reward patience, creativity, and mental toughness over raw distance. They demand players think three shots ahead while adapting to constantly changing conditions. In our modern era of launch monitors and distance obsession, links golf remains golf’s soul, raw, real, and relentlessly honest. These courses strip away artificial advantages and reveal who truly understands the game’s deepest challenges.
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Do links courses separate the true champions from the power hitters? What's your take?