The Death of "links style" as an Adjective

[iacas]

I like playing "links style" course, but I hate calling them that. Most "links style" courses aren't near a body of water, they don't have stacked-sod pot bunkers, little "burns," double greens, etc. They're just typical American golf courses with a little tall grass and less trees than normal.

So, rather than call these courses "links style" (a term that's waaaaaaay overused), what would you call them? What names can you come up with, or what names have you heard used that apply more than "links style"?

[Everardo]

I think the term "Links Style" is over used as well. The term for us here is "Desert Course" and courses will use that even if they only have once cactus on the course, lol.

US courses are like US wine, they are named after the particular grape with little regards to the % of content. I'd like to see there be a little more structure and enforcement to what style a course is.

[Big Lex]

I agree that "links" is over used and ambiguous...it is a confusing term.

I never thought of alternatives, but here are some off the top of my head:

1. For those which in fact are near the ocean, I like "Seaside."

2. For inland courses in the US in non-treed areas, I like either "Farmland", "Grassland," or "Prairie."

[Everardo]

2. For inland courses in the US in non-treed areas, I like either "Farmland", "Grassland," or "Prairie."

I like this idea, similar to what European wine makers do (Yeah, I've got wine on the mind, is it 5 yet?), by naming it after the region. The only problem I see with that is many states (mine included) can have a wide array of terrain, so would people be more or less confused?

[CG031]

Lol, I hate these type of courses, though. I seem to always play them really bad.

[lamebums]

Lol, I hate these type of courses, though. I seem to always play them really bad.

And I play my best on those. My best round ever came at one of those down at Myrtle Beach. And the greens were aerated and had holes all over them, and I still shot good.

For someone who sprays his mishits into the wrong area code, "links style" golf courses are your friend. But, I think "Links style" is fine. I can't think of anything else to call it - at least not anything that would stick.

[Dyna]

Sure Links may be overused but I still like it, sounds kind of classy.
We have a few of those style courses in the area but I have only played one of them so far & I enjoyed it a lot. My playing partner did not enjoy it, especially the back 9, I lost count of how many balls he lost.

I am all for keeping the name, although I do like these as well "Farmland", "Grassland,".

[J_Bone]

I think the term "Links Style" is over used as well. The term for us here is "Desert Course" and courses will use that even if they only have once cactus on the course, lol.

Deserts don't have to have a cactus to be a desert. I like the name of "desert course" here in the Valley though. It's something different than the "Links style course" that is mentioned every where else.

[Dent]

I love these types of courses, and calling the Grassland courses is the right term.

[laconic517]

agree with this

IMO we should call them new ugly courses without trees. They never play like links courses anyway, the ball never runs up properly and you cant hit a variety of shots like you could on a true links course. To me most courses that advertise "links style" are only that way because they are new and dont have mature trees yet.