6 Tips for Playing Links Golf at Cleveland Golf Club – Be Ready for Anything

There's nothing quite like links golf—firm fairways, coastal views, and the ever-present challenge of the wind. At Cleveland Golf Club, you'll quickly discover that playing by the coast is a different game altogether. And here's the golden rule: just because it's calm and sunny inland doesn't mean the same conditions are waiting for you on the first tee.

Whether you're heading to a traditional links course or want to sharpen your ground game, here are six essential tips to help you score well and enjoy every moment.

1. Keep the Ball Low

High, floating shots might look great on parkland courses, but on a links layout they're at the mercy of the breeze. The higher you hit the ball, the more the wind can push it off line or sap distance. Focus on controlled, lower ball flights—think punch shots and knockdowns. Keeping the ball under the wind will give you far more control and consistency.

• Play more knockdowns by taking an extra club and swinging shorter.
• Choose lower-spinning shots, especially into the wind—half-shots, punch shots, and little bump-and-run approaches.

2. Get Creative

On parkland courses, you can often fly the ball straight at the flag and stop it quickly. Links golf doesn't always allow that. With the wind and firm, fast turf at play, you've got licence to think differently. A 100-yard shot isn't necessarily a sand wedge—a 5-iron bump-and-run might be the smarter option. Use the ground, work with the natural contours, and don't be afraid to play low, running shots instead of always taking the aerial route over hazards.

• Visualise 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.

3. Accept the Unexpected

Bad bounces happen—sometimes spectacularly so. A well-struck shot can kick sideways, while a mishit might roll perfectly into position. That's all part of links golf. Stay patient, keep your sense of humour, and focus on the next shot rather than the last.

4. Avoid the Bunkers

This might sound obvious—but on a links course, it's critical. Pot bunkers are designed to punish wayward shots, and escaping them often costs you a stroke (or more). At Cleveland, our newly refurbished riveted-faced bunkers are as striking as they are challenging. The best strategy? Stay out of them. Play smart off the tee, favour safer lines, and treat bunkers as hazards to be avoided—not challenged.

5. Always Plan for the Wind (Even If You Can't Feel It Yet)

Links golf is defined by the wind. It can turn a straightforward hole into a real test within minutes. Check the forecast—but don't rely on it entirely. Bring an extra layer, and be prepared to adjust your club selection constantly. A two-club wind is not uncommon here.

6. Swing Easy to Take the Spin Off

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.

Enjoy the Challenge

Playing links golf at Cleveland is about more than just score—it's about adapting, thinking creatively, and embracing the elements. 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. Every round is different, and that's what keeps players coming back time and time again.

So come prepared, stay flexible, and enjoy one of golf's purest experiences right here on the coast.