#1. Why Every Golfer Should Play Links at Least Once in Their Life
Image - Perranporth Golf Club
For most golfers, the game means tree-lined fairways, emerald-green grass, and a soft landing for approach shots. But that’s only half the story of golf. The other half—the original half—is links golf. Rugged, windswept, unpredictable, and utterly thrilling, links golf is where the game began over 600 years ago.
If you’ve never set foot on a true links course, you owe it to yourself to make the trip. Here’s why links golf is something every golfer should experience at least once in their life.
Links Golf Is Golf at Its Purest
Links courses weren’t built with bulldozers and blueprints. They were discovered. Early golfers in Scotland and England found the strips of land that connected farmland to the sea and realized they were perfect for play. The sandy soil drained well, natural dunes created ready-made hazards, and the ever-present wind ensured no two rounds were ever the same.
Playing links golf connects you directly with the history of the game. Every bump, hollow, and pot bunker has been shaped by centuries of wind and weather, not architects and irrigation systems. It’s golf stripped back to its essence.
It Forces You to Play Creatively
On a parkland course in the U.S, most golfers can get away with the same aerial game every time: driver, wedge, putt. On a links course, that approach will chew you up. Firm turf means balls release and run forever. Gusting winds can knock a high shot 30 yards offline. Pot bunkers are deep enough to make you rethink your club choice.
The beauty of links golf is that it demands creativity. You’ll find yourself hitting bump-and-runs, putting from 40 yards off the green, and shaping shots to ride the wind instead of fighting it. It’s not just about power, it’s about imagination.
The Weather Is Part of the Challenge
On links, you don’t just play the course, you play the elements. Sunshine and calm skies can turn to sideways rain and 30 mph winds in the span of a few holes. That unpredictability is part of what makes links golf so addictive.
You’ll quickly learn the value of flighting the ball down, staying patient, and laughing at the occasional gust that sends your ball places you never intended. Once you embrace the weather as part of the experience, you’ll never look at “bad golf conditions” the same way again.
The Scenery Is Unmatched
Links golf also delivers some of the most dramatic views in the sport. Clifftop holes overlooking the Atlantic, fairways weaving through towering sand dunes, and greens perched on rugged headlands, it’s golf and nature working in harmony.
In Cornwall and Devon, courses like Trevose, Perranporth, and Saunton are as stunning as they are challenging. Even on your worst scoring day, the landscapes make every round memorable.
It’s a Rite of Passage for Serious Golfers
Ask any golfer who’s made the trip to play links and you’ll hear the same thing: it changes the way you see the game. Links golf is humbling, exhilarating, and unforgettable. It’s a reminder that golf isn’t just about hitting perfect shots, it’s about adapting, creating, and enjoying the ride.
For many, that first links experience becomes the highlight of their golfing life. It’s not about the scorecard, it’s about the story you bring home.
How to Plan Your First Links Experience
If you’re based in the U.S., you don’t need to cross the Atlantic to find a links-inspired course, but nothing compares to the real thing. Scotland and Ireland are famous for links golf, but England’s southwest, Cornwall and Devon, offers an equally authentic (and often less crowded) experience.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
Pack for the weather: Layers, waterproofs, and a solid pair of shoes are essential.
Play the ground game: Practice bump-and-runs and low shots before you go.
Travel with friends: Links golf is best enjoyed with a group. The camaraderie is as memorable as the golf.
Mix golf with culture: Explore the towns, pubs, and coastlines between rounds. It makes the trip richer.
Why Fresh Tracks Golf Exists
At Fresh Tracks Golf, we started with one mission: to bring U.S. golfers to Cornwall and Devon to experience links golf at its finest. These aren’t cookie-cutter courses, they’re living landscapes where history, culture, and challenge come together.
Our trips combine world-class golf with the chance to explore seaside towns, enjoy the best of Cornish hospitality, and experience the camaraderie that makes golf travel unforgettable. Whether it’s six rounds with your best golf buddies or a bespoke itinerary built for your group, we make links golf accessible without the stress of planning.
Final Thoughts
Links golf is more than a style of course, it’s the game in its purest form. Every bounce, gust, and roll is part of the story. For U.S. golfers, it’s a chance to reconnect with golf’s roots, test your creativity, and experience landscapes unlike anywhere else.
If you haven’t yet played a true links, it’s time to put it on your list. Trust us, you’ll never see the game the same way again.
Ready to play links golf for yourself? Start planning your trip with Fresh Tracks Golf.