Lusting for Links

I am hungover.  I am in a links golf hangover.  It was such a joy this summer to see the best players in the world take on all those beautiful links with strategy and creativity. For about a month long stretch, we were treated to the Scottish Open (Castle Stuart), Open Championship (Muirfield), Senior Open Championship (Royal Birkdale), and Women's US and British Open (Old Course and Sebonack).  Since then, with few exceptions, the one dimensional parkland style course which has played the canvas for so many professional events has resulted in a serious lack of interest on my part.

Playing golf during this time of year also makes me yearn for links golf.  Whether it is the firmer and faster conditions, the cold breezes, or the seemingly less claustrophobic trees, golf at this time of year reminds me of the most superior form of golf - links golf.  Here's why:

• Fewer hazards.  With less water and out of bounds there are less penalty shots, resulting in faster rounds and greater enjoyment.   
• Wider fairways, less rough, slower greens.  All three combine for speedier play, creative shotmaking and a seemingly endless variety of ways to play the same hole, all resulting in more fun.
• Fewer trees.  Less trees, or no trees, means less water required, less dead turf, less leaves, less maintenance.   

All of the above elements allow for faster rounds, more enjoyment, and lower maintenance costs. And there is little argument that golf could use more of all three.

Throwback architects such as Doak and Coore/Crenshaw are doing their best to develop links style courses here in North America, and are drawing rave reviews.  Courses such as Bandon Dunes, Cabot Links, Streamsong Resort - to name a few - were built with the ideals of links golf at heart.  This style of golf has typically only existed on the links style courses of the UK, but is growing here in North America.  Kudos to those architects and the developers for having the courage to create such courses.

Golf is golf.  It's fun whether you are playing a local tree lined muni or one of the best links in the world. But links golf embodies the true essence of the game and we need more of it in this great game.  The firm and fast turf requires creative shotmaking, and when the wind blows (as it so often does in links golf) one needs to shape their shots to effectively control the ball against the wind and the firm ground.  It is something that cannot be fully explained without experiencing links golf on a windy day.  Speaking of, I'm off for one more round of autumn golf...a great remedy for my hangover.

Hit 'em well.
MG