courses name difference

[jcbenefiel]

so ive always wonder what is the difference in a course being called a "links" or "municiple" or just a course? ive always wondered and figured even if it is a atupid question ill never know unless i ask haha.

[Grumpter]

Municipal courses are owned by a government entity (like the local township). Links are a style of course which you will probably get a better explanation of from just doing an internet search for 'links course'.

[stealthduffer]

Links is a term that refers to a seaside course in particular the sandy area "linking" the mainland to the sea.  Generally was considered scrub or unusable land (until the genius that we know as golf came along!).

Municipal generally refers to a public golf course - probably has roots in the local or town owned course.  At some time that probably spread as a short name for any public course since it's easier to call it a "muni" than a "public golf course".

A Country Club at one time would have referred to a club located out of the city.  When the term came into vogue most rich people still lived in town but escaped the city for the summer (e.g. the Hamptons) or the weekend to their club in the country.  Seems like I heard that many country clubs began as hunting, polo or other sports clubs but when golf caught on they converted land for that use.