Links is the oldest style of golf course, first developed in Scotland. The word "links" refers to rising ground, ridge" and refers to an area of coastal sand dunes and sometimes to open parkland. Land in which links courses are built is often unsuitable for building houses due to its sandy nature and salt content of the turf.

Links courses tend to be near a coast, often amid dunes, with few water hazards and few if any trees. This reflects both the nature of the scenery where the sport happened to originate, and the fact that only limited resources were available to golf course architects at the time, and any earth moving had to be done by hand, so it was kept to a minimum. Links courses remain most common in Ireland and Scotland.

The style of play on a links golf course is considerably different from the style of play on other types of courses. The challenges of links golf fall into two categories:

1. Nature of the courses characterized by uneven fairways, thick rough and small deep bunkers known as "pot bunkers";

2. Coastal location and lack of trees, many links courses are frequently windy. This affects the style of play required, favoring players who are able to play low accurate shots. As many links courses consist literally of an "outward" nine in one direction along the coast, and an "inward" nine which returns in the opposite direction, players often have to cope with opposite wind patterns in each half of their round.

Pebble Beach Golf Links: Golf Course at Pebble Beach Resorts

Pebble Beach Golf Links, host of the 2010 U.S. Open, is America's greatest public golf course and a true Scottish-style links course--one of the most ecologically sensitive courses in the world. pebblebeach.com

The Links at Spanish Bay Pebble Beach

The Links at Spanish Bay is a true links course that challenges golfers, pebblebeach.com The Links Course at Bodega Harbor

The Links at Bodega Harbour is one of Northern California's most impressive and affordable coastal golf courses. Perched along the spectacular Sonoma County California Coast, the Links at Bodega Harbour combines breathtaking natural beauty with a recently remodeled Robert Trent Jones II design. Located in beautiful Bodega Bay, just an hour's drive from San Francisco and a two hour drive from Sacramento, The Links at Bodega Harbour makes for an ideal golf getaway. bodegaharbourgolf.comOlivas Links Golf Course in Ventura, CA
Olivas Links is an award-winning 18-hole championship golf facility owned by the City of Ventura, olivaslinks.com

Half Moon Bay Golf Links

"Best of the Best" Travel + Leisure Golf Magazine describes Half Moon Bay Golf Links as a World's Best Golf Resort, halfmoonbaygolf.com

Links at Summerly - Lake Elsinore, CA
Links at Summerly, located just minutes from Temecula in Lake Elsinore, California is a stunning par 72 golf course, featuring weddings, events, discounts, linksatsummerly.com

Monarch Beach Golf Links
along the dramatic bluffs of Southern California, master architect, Robert Trent. monarchbeachgolf.com

Metropolitan Golf Links

Metropolitan Golf Links is a Fred Bliss and Johnny Miller designed links course in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area. This Oakland, CA public play Golf course, playmetro.com

Sevillano Links in Corning, Calif. Northern California Golf Resort | Rolling Hills Casino

Sevillano Links, Rolling Hills Casino's John Daly Signature, 18 hole championship golf course is the perfect Northern California golf vacation getaway in Corning, sevillanolinks.com

The Links at Victoria Golf Course - Long Beach Golf

The Links at Victoria Golf Course - best Long Beach golf, located 15 minutes from Long Beach, CA. Features great Long Beach golf, Long Beach events

Micke Grove Golf Links

Micke Grove Golf Links is a links style golf course located in California's Central Valley in Lodi, California, mickegrove.com

The Links at RiverLakes Ranch

Win Free Golf. Scottish Links Style Is Right At Home In San Joaquin Valley. Tucked into the southern end of California's San Joaquin Valley in Bakersfield , riverlakesgc.com

Mountain View Golf - Shoreline Golf Links

Silicon Valley at its Finest - Shoreline Golf Links. With a gorgeous view is located at 2940 N. Shoreline Blvd | Mountain View, shorelinelinks.com


The Links at Terranea

is a dramatic 9-hole par 3 Southern California oceanfront golf course, with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island. terranea.com/california-golf-resorts.

Luxury Resort Accommodations in Pebble Beach ($600 & up)

The Lodge at Pebble Beach

The Inn at Spanish Bay

Casa Palmero at Pebble Beach

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