Links golf????

[Bigwill]

I can understand the guy not preferring links golf. He hits the ball a mile in the air. I'm sure that as time goes on he'll figure out how to get more comfortable with that kind of play. Or maybe not.

That said, what's wrong with not liking a certain kind of course or style of play? You'll hear or read about some media golf guys getting bothered when a player says "I don't like this" or "I don't like that". I suppose they need something to write or talk about, but I think that's silly. Who likes everything?

 

[eric54]

Nothing wrong with having a preferred style of play but he is a professional golfer who should be able to adapt instead of having a little tantrum because it was wet and windy. All the greats adapted and just got on with it and its not as if links golf is new to Rory. Has been playing it most of his life. Hopefully as he gets older he will understand that there will be times when he needs to adapt his game and relish the challenge. If he does he can win plenty of Opens

 

[dbl]

Originally Posted by conkanen
huh?
Europeans are largely anti Rory

As well in 2011 RM said he didn't like the Open much (as in didn't think he'd win) and said he preferred the US style game, though the air.

ETA - Oh! I see this aspect has been covered...great going guys.

 

[Jared Willerson]

Actually eric54, Holywood GC in N. Ireland is about as parkland as you can get. He did not grow up on links. He didn't like it when he was younger and the feeling hasn't changed. I like tree lined bermuda courses, someone from up north or out west probably won't like that style of course, but it is what it is.

 

[faux_maestro]

Nothing wrong with having a preferred style of play but he is a professional golfer who should be able to adapt instead of having a little tantrum because it was wet and windy. All the greats adapted and just got on with it and its not as if links golf is new to Rory. Has been playing it most of his life. Hopefully as he gets older he will understand that there will be times when he needs to adapt his game and relish the challenge. If he does he can win plenty of Opens

I am not anti Rory. Just dont think he currently has the game to play links or wind and wasnt impressed by his childish reaction to the weather last year at The Open. With his ability he should be able to deal with tough conditions not cry about them.

I think we need to remember that he's just 23. 23 year olds can still say some dumb, childish, "speak before you think" kinds of things. I remember reading or hearing that Tom Watson didn't fully embrace Open Championship conditions and style of play until after he had won 1-2 of them.

 

[eric54]

Actually eric54, Holywood GC in N. Ireland is about as parkland as you can get. He did not grow up on links. He didn't like it when he was younger and the feeling hasn't changed. I like tree lined bermuda courses, someone from up north or out west probably won't like that style of course, but it is what it is.

I wasnt talking about his home course but the courses he would have played as an amateur

 

[Keefer]

For me "Links" means a course that is built by the sea with all the natural surroundings of that type landscape. Originally golf courses were built near the sea because the land was unsuitable for farming and the holes were linked going out and coming back in. IMO it meets enough of the criteria to be called a "Links" course.

 

[Tball88]

I agree with the comment about Rory being 23, give him a break, so he doesn't like links golf, and needs some time to figure it out. Seems to me that he's got a good head on his shoulders especially given his age.

Also, kudo's to the Ocean Course, I thought it played very fairly rewarded good shots and punished bad ones. Now, if they decide to play the US Open there, they'll narrow the fairways down ten yards, grow up another cut of rough and not water the course for months, winning score will be plus 7..

I actually think it's neat that it's not a links course, I think it gives the course some individual charisma and is a different kind of challenge than almost any other course.

 

[conkanen]

"Even though I won the Open in 1975 and 1977, I still didn't like the way the game had to be played on links courses because I was so conditioned to play the ball high in the air."

--Tom Watson

 

[faux_maestro]

"Even though I won the Open in 1975 and 1977, I still didn't like the way the game had to be played on links courses because I was so conditioned to play the ball high in the air."

--Tom Watson

That was the quote I was thinking of but was too lazy to look up.

 

[BrendanC]

: Links courses can have water hazards, raised greens and trees. On some courses, you can't even see the sea. The key to what is/isn't a links is the ground itself. It is literally the 'links' land between the beach and the useful agricultural land on the other side.

The best links terrain is taut and firm but also springy: a joy to hit off.

Personally, my favourite links holes are the ones shaped like canyons; with walls on either side. Compared to parkland, these are like playing golf on the moon.

: Good amateur level links players ALL hit the ball low and dead straight, but it's not only because of the wind.

Basically, by keeping it low you take advantage of the natural run in the fairway. And you won't lose half as many balls.....

: We have had five very wet summers in UK/Ireland, and the rough on links courses has been extremely tough as a result of v.strong growth.

It means you HAVE to be in the fairway to score - worth noting that Tiger's last win on a Links course was Hoylake in 2006 - which had hard and fast fairways with light and wispy rough.