Links golf is one of the purest, most exhilarating forms of the game—wind sweeping across rolling dunes, firm turf under your feet, and creativity required on every shot. If you’re heading to a traditional links course or want to sharpen your skills on the ground game, here are key tips to help you score better and enjoy the unique challenge.

Wind is the ever-present opponent on a links course. The higher you hit the ball, the more the breeze can push it off line or sap distance.

• Play more knockdowns by taking an extra club and swinging shorter.
• Choose lower-spinning shots, especially into the wind—half-shots, punch shots, and even little “bump-and-run” approaches.
• Use the ground. Don’t try to fly the ball all the way to the target. On firm turf, a running shot is often more reliable than a high one.
• Avoid the bunkers. Deep riveted traps are true hazards in links golf—sometimes costing a full shot or more—so play conservative lines when necessary.

Keeping the ball down and away from trouble is your best defence against the elements.

Links golf rewards creativity more than raw power. You’ll face tight lies, unpredictable bounces, firm fairways, and enormous greens with dramatic contours.

• Visualize how the ball will run after it lands. Often the smartest play feeds the ball in from the side or uses a slope.
• Putts and hybrids from off the green are your friends. When the ground is smooth and fast, putting instead of chipping can save strokes and eliminate mishits.
• Lean into the ground game. Long bump-and-runs, low skidders, and crafty little nudges all become essential tools.
• Play away from danger. Intelligent shot-shaping and conservative targets keep you out of the punishing bunkers.

Think of every shot like a puzzle—how can you use the course, rather than fight it?

The harder you swing, the more spin you generate—exactly what you don’t want in wind or on firm surfaces.

• Make smooth, controlled swings to produce a flatter, more predictable trajectory.
• Focus on clean contact, not speed. That reduces unwanted spin and keeps the ball on its intended line.
• Trust the turf. A gentle, lower-flight shot that lands early and releases often works far better than a high, spinning attack.

By swinging easy and embracing simplicity, you gain control—and control is everything on a links.

Playing well on a links course isn’t about overpowering it—it’s about adapting to it. Keep it low, use the ground, avoid the bunkers, and stay creative. Putt from off the green when it makes sense, embrace the wind, and use the firm turf to your advantage.

Do that, and you’ll discover why so many golfers consider links the purest and most rewarding form of the game.