How to Play Links Golf Like a Pro

How To Play Links Golf?

Links golf is a unique and challenging form of golf that is played on courses that are situated on open land, often near the sea. The links are characterized by their sandy soil, rolling terrain, and unpredictable weather conditions. As a result, links golf requires a different set of skills and strategies than other types of golf.

In this article, we will discuss the basics of links golf, including the equipment you need, the rules of the game, and the different strategies you can use to play successfully. We will also provide tips on how to overcome the challenges of links golf and enjoy the game to the fullest.

So if you’re ready to take on the challenge of links golf, read on!

Skill	Description	Tips
Ball Position	Play the ball further back in your stance than you would on a course with shorter grass.	This will help you to get the ball up in the air and avoid hitting it into the rough.
Swing	Take a shorter, more compact swing.	This will help you to control the ball and avoid hitting it too far.
Course Management	Choose your targets carefully and avoid the rough.	It’s better to play a safe shot and end up in the fairway than to try to hit a hero shot and end up in the rough.

Equipment

In order to play links golf, you will need to have the proper equipment. This includes clubs, balls, shoes, and clothing.

Clubs

The clubs you use for links golf will be different from the clubs you use for other types of golf. Links courses are typically open and exposed, so you will need clubs that are designed for hitting the ball long and straight.

For your driver, you will want a club with a lot of loft. This will help you get the ball up in the air and over the rough. For your irons, you will want clubs that are forgiving and easy to hit. You will also want a few wedges in your bag, as you will need to be able to hit the ball close to the green from a variety of lies.

Balls

The balls you use for links golf should be designed for low spin. This will help you keep the ball in the air and avoid the rough. You will also want a ball that is durable, as you will be hitting it on hard ground.

Shoes

The shoes you wear for links golf should be comfortable and provide good traction. You will be walking a lot on the course, so you want shoes that won’t make your feet sore. You also want shoes that will grip the ground well, as you will be playing in wet and windy conditions.

Clothing

The clothing you wear for links golf should be comfortable and weather-appropriate. You will want to wear layers, so you can adjust your clothing as the weather changes. You will also want to wear a hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun.

Course Conditions

The course conditions on a links golf course can vary greatly from day to day. You will need to be prepared for wind, rough, bunkers, and water hazards.

Wind

The wind is a major factor on links courses. It can affect the way the ball flies, so you will need to adjust your swing accordingly. You will also need to be careful not to hit the ball into the wind, as it will be difficult to control.

Rough

The rough on links courses is typically thick and long. This can make it difficult to find your ball and make a good shot. You will need to be careful not to hit your ball into the rough, as it will be difficult to get out.

Bunkers

The bunkers on links courses are typically deep and sandy. This can make it difficult to get the ball out. You will need to be careful not to hit your ball into the bunker, as it will be difficult to get out.

Water hazards

The water hazards on links courses can be dangerous. You will need to be careful not to hit your ball into the water, as it will be difficult to get out. You will also need to be careful not to get your feet wet, as the ground can be slippery.

Links golf is a challenging but rewarding game. By following these tips, you can improve your game and enjoy playing on links courses.

Strategy

When playing links golf, it is important to have a strategy in place. This will help you to make the best decisions on the course and to avoid making costly mistakes.

Course management

The first step in developing a strategy is to understand the course. Take note of the hazards, the bunkers, and the green complexes. Also, consider the weather conditions and how they will affect your play.

Once you have a good understanding of the course, you can start to develop a strategy for each hole. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Play to your strengths. If you are a long hitter, you may want to take on more risks and try to hit the ball as far as you can. If you are a shorter hitter, you may want to play more conservatively and avoid taking on too many risks.
• Be aware of the hazards. Don’t get too aggressive if you know that you are not good at hitting out of bunkers or water hazards.
• Manage your expectations. Links golf is a challenging game, and you are not going to hit every shot perfectly. Don’t get discouraged if you make a few mistakes. Just focus on playing your best and having fun.

Shot selection

The next step in developing a strategy is to choose the right shots for each hole. This will depend on the conditions of the course, the wind, and your own playing ability.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing your shots:

• The wind is a major factor in links golf. It can affect the flight of your ball, so you need to take it into account when choosing your clubs.
• The lie of the ball is also important. If the ball is in a bad lie, you may need to choose a different club or play a different shot.
• Your own playing ability is also a factor. If you are not confident in your ability to hit a certain shot, don’t try it. Play a shot that you know you can execute.

Putting

Putting is one of the most important aspects of links golf. The greens are often fast and undulating, so it is important to have a good putting stroke and to be able to read the greens.

Here are a few tips for putting on links courses:

• Take your time. Don’t rush your putts. Take a few practice strokes and read the green carefully before you putt.
• Be confident. Don’t let the fast greens intimidate you. Trust your stroke and take your putts with confidence.
• Use the right equipment. A good putter will help you to make more putts. Make sure that you have a putter that you are comfortable with and that you can control.

Mental Game

The mental game is just as important as the physical game in links golf. If you are not mentally prepared, you will not be able to perform your best.

Staying focused

It is easy to get distracted on links courses. There are often people watching, the weather can be unpredictable, and the course can be challenging. It is important to stay focused on your game and to not let anything distract you.

Here are a few tips for staying focused on links courses:

• Breathe deeply. Taking deep breaths can help you to relax and focus on your game.
• Visualize your shot. Before you hit the ball, take a few seconds to visualize the shot you want to hit. This will help you to stay focused and to make a good swing.
• Ignore the distractions. There will be a lot of distractions on links courses, but it is important to ignore them and to focus on your game.

Managing your emotions

It is also important to manage your emotions on links courses. If you get too angry or frustrated, it will affect your play.

Here are a few tips for managing your emotions on links courses:

• Don’t take it too seriously. Links golf is a game, and it is meant to be fun. Don’t get too caught up in the results and just enjoy yourself.
• Learn to laugh at yourself. Everyone makes mistakes, and it is important to be able to laugh at yourself when you do. This will help you to stay relaxed and to keep your emotions in check.
• Take a break if you need to. If you are starting to get frustrated, take a break and clear your head. This will help you to come back to your game refreshed and ready to play.

Dealing with adversity

Links courses are challenging, and you are going to make mistakes. It is important to be able to deal with adversity and to keep

How do I play links golf?

Links golf is a type of golf played on courses that are located on coastal dunes. The terrain is typically sandy and the fairways are often wide and open. The greens are often small and undulating, and the rough is thick and unforgiving.

Here are some tips for playing links golf:

• Hit your tee shots down the middle of the fairway. The fairways on links courses are typically wide, but they are also very hard. If you miss the fairway, you will likely have a difficult time getting your ball back into play.
• Take advantage of the wind. The wind is a major factor in links golf. It can affect the flight of your ball, so you need to be prepared to adjust your shot accordingly.
• Play for the center of the green. The greens on links courses are often small and difficult to hit. If you miss the green, you will likely have a difficult time getting up and down.
• Be patient. Links golf is a challenging game, but it is also a very rewarding one. If you stay patient and keep working on your game, you will eventually improve.

What are the most important things to consider when choosing a club for links golf?

The most important things to consider when choosing a club for links golf are the length of the course, the wind conditions, and your own playing ability.

• Length of the course: If the course is long, you will need clubs that are long enough to reach the greens.
• Wind conditions: The wind is a major factor in links golf, so you need to choose clubs that are forgiving in the wind.
• Your own playing ability: You need to choose clubs that are appropriate for your own skill level. If you are a beginner, you will need clubs that are easier to hit.

Here are some specific club recommendations for links golf:

• Driver: A driver with a low loft (9-10 degrees) is ideal for links golf. This will help you get the ball up in the air and carry it over the rough.
• Fairway woods: A 3-wood and a 5-wood are good options for links golf. These clubs will help you hit long, accurate shots into the greens.
• Irons: A set of irons with a variety of lofts (from 3-iron to 9-iron) is essential for links golf. You will need clubs that you can hit both from the fairway and from the rough.
• Wedges: A pitching wedge, a sand wedge, and a lob wedge are all good options for links golf. These clubs will help you get the ball close to the hole from around the green.
• Putter: A putter is a must-have for any golfer, regardless of the type of course you are playing.

What are some common mistakes that beginners make when playing links golf?

There are a number of common mistakes that beginners make when playing links golf. Here are a few of the most common ones:

• Hitting the ball too hard. The fairways on links courses are typically hard, so you don’t need to hit the ball as hard as you would on a regular course. This will help you avoid hitting the ball into the rough.
• Not taking enough club. The greens on links courses are often small and difficult to hit. If you take too much club, you will likely end up overshooting the green.
• Not playing for the wind. The wind is a major factor in links golf. If you don’t take the wind into account, you will likely have a difficult time hitting the ball where you want it to go.
• Not being patient. Links golf is a challenging game, but it is also a very rewarding one. If you stay patient and keep working on your game, you will eventually improve.

Here are some tips for avoiding these common mistakes:

• Practice on a links-style course. This will help you get used to the terrain and the conditions.
• Take lessons from a qualified instructor. An instructor can help you develop a swing that is suited for links golf.
• Watch professional golfers play links golf. This will give you a good idea of how to play the game.
• Be patient. Links golf is a challenging game, but it is also a very rewarding one. If you stay patient and keep working on your game, you will eventually improve.

What are some tips for playing links golf in windy conditions?

The wind is a major factor in links golf, so it is important to know how to play in windy conditions. Here are a few

links golf is a unique and challenging experience that can be enjoyed by golfers of all skill levels. By following the tips in this article, you can improve your game and have more fun on the links.

Here are the key takeaways:

• Links golf is played on courses that are built on natural terrain, often with sand dunes and rough.
• The weather can play a significant role in links golf, so it’s important to be prepared for all conditions.
• The ball travels farther on links courses due to the firm ground and wind, so club selection is important.
• Links golf is a strategic game that requires golfers to think about their shots carefully.
• By following these tips, you can improve your links golf game and have more fun on the links.