Understanding Links Golf: The Essence of The Open Championship
This week, the golf world turns its eyes to the coastlines of the UK for the 2025 Open Championship—better known to many as The British Open. While every major has its own character, The Open stands apart because of one defining feature: links golf.
Whether you are a lifelong fan or a curious newcomer, understanding what links golf truly is—and how it differs from the style of golf we are used to seeing week-in and week-out—is essential to appreciating and playing it well.
⛳ What Is Links Golf?
At its core, links golf refers to the original form of the game, born centuries ago on the windswept dunes of Scotland. The term "links" comes from the Old English word hlinc, meaning "rising ground" or "ridge." These courses are almost always:
Located along the coast
Built on sandy, firm soil
Characterized by natural undulations and few trees
Shaped more by nature than by man
In contrast to lush parkland courses in the U.S., links courses are raw, rugged, and unpredictable.
Famous examples include:
St Andrews (Old Course)
Royal Liverpool
Royal Portrush
Royal Troon (host for the 2025 Open)
🌬️ What Makes Links Golf So Unique?
1. The Wind Factor
Wind is the ever-present 15th club in your bag during The Open. One hole might require a 7-iron one day and a 3-wood the next. Controlling your ball flight and keeping the ball under the wind are essential.
2. Firm and Fast Fairways
Unlike many American courses that rely on carry distance, links courses reward creativity with the ground game. Expect your drives to roll out 30+ yards—or bounce sideways into a pot bunker.
3. Pot Bunkers and Natural Hazards
Links bunkers are deep and punishing. They're not just hazards—they’re often a guaranteed one-shot penalty. Avoid them at all costs, especially around the greens.
4. Uneven Lies and Quirky Bounces
With few level lies and a lot of exposed turf, players must embrace the randomness and learn to play the ball as it lies—no matter how awkward.
🧠 How to Play Links Golf (Or Watch It Smarter)
Whether you are teeing it up on a seaside course or watching The Open this weekend, here are some mental and physical adjustments to make:
✔️ Lower Your Trajectory
Forget towering wedges. Use knock-down shots and play with less loft to control spin and ball flight.
✔️ Master the Bump-and-Run
The most effective short game shot on links turf is often a hybrid or 7-iron bump that releases toward the flag.
✔️ Embrace Creativity
There is rarely a “perfect” shot in links golf. It is all about adapting, feeling the wind, and reading the ground.
✔️ Stay Mentally Tough
You will get bad bounces. Everyone does. The winner this week will likely be the player who handles adversity the best.
🏆 Why The Open Is So Special
The Open is not just a golf tournament—it is a celebration of golf's origins. It rewards artistry, patience, and imagination. Watching players like Rory, Rahm, or young stars adapt their games to links golf offers a refreshing contrast to the modern bomb-and-gouge style.
For golf fans and players alike, it is a chance to remember that golf is not just about power—it is about precision, resilience, and embracing nature’s unpredictability.
Final Thoughts
As you watch (or maybe dream of playing) The Open this week, pay attention to the strategy, the shot shapes, and the bounce of the ball along those fescue-covered fairways. Links golf is not just another style—it is golf in its purest form.
And that is why The Open remains one of the greatest championships in sport.