Links golf is the game in its purest form — raw, historic, exposed to the elements and deeply rooted in the traditions of the sport. Nowhere captures this spirit better than England’s Golf Coast, home to some of the world’s most celebrated links courses, stretching between Liverpool, Formby, Southport and the Fylde coast near Blackpool.
For golfers seeking a challenge shaped by wind, dunes and timeless landscapes, this is as authentic as the game gets.
What Are Links Courses?
A true links course is built on a specific type of land — the sandy, undulating stretch between the sea and the farmland. This terrain produces:
- Natural dunes
- Rolling, firm fairways
- Pot bunkers with steep faces
- Wide, open landscapes with almost no trees
- Tight lies and fast-running ground
Links golf demands creativity. Instead of flying the ball high into soft greens, players learn to work with the ground, the bounce and the contours. In many ways, it is golf as it was originally intended: shaped by nature, not engineered against it.
Playing With the Elements
On England’s Golf Coast, the wind is always part of the round — sometimes your ally, sometimes your greatest obstacle.
The key is to use the wind, not fight it. Golfers often rely on:
- Punch shots to keep the ball low
- Controlled swings rather than forcing power
- Ball position adjustments to stay beneath the gusts
Links golf is less about towering shots and more about decision-making. Every hole asks you to think, adapt and respect the weather.
The Ground Game
Unlike soft parkland fairways, links turf is tight and fast, making the ground game essential.
Rather than flying everything to the flag, golfers learn to:
- Land the ball short
- Let it release toward the target
- Use natural slopes and run-offs
- Commit to low, running approaches
It’s a style of play that rewards patience and imagination.
Bunker Play on the Links
Pot bunkers are a signature feature of links golf — deep, steep and unforgiving.
- To escape them:
- Use a high-lofted club
- Commit to a full follow-through
- Keep wrists firm
- Focus on making crisp contact with the sand
Sometimes the smart play is simply to get out sideways and avoid turning a tough situation into a disastrous one.
Putting and Chipping
Links greens tend to be large, undulating and exposed to the wind.
Success comes from:
- Strong lag putting
- Reading subtle contours
- Using the bump-and-run from tight fringes
- The putter or a low-lofted club often becomes your best friend just off the green.
Historic Courses, Living Heritage
Some of the greatest championship venues in the world are found along England’s Golf Coast. Courses such as Royal Birkdale, Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) and Royal Lytham & St Annes have hosted countless Opens and are steeped in the heritage of the game.
Walking these fairways is as much about experiencing golf history as it is about playing the course in front of you.
Final Thoughts
Links golf teaches you to think differently. It asks you to read the land, adapt to the elements and play with patience and creativity. Whether you’re a seasoned player or visiting the links for the first time, England’s Golf Coast offers an unforgettable journey into the heart of the sport.
The wind, the dunes and the fast-running fairways will test you like nowhere else — and reward you with some of the most memorable rounds you’ll ever play.
Created by Southport Golf Tours, the leading specialist in Luxury Bespoke Golf Trips to England’s Golf Coast. When you’re ready to plan your next golf adventure, reach out — we’ll build a trip you’ll never forget.
About the Author
This blog was put together by Peter Griffiths, our Director of Golf here at Southport Golf Tours. Peter’s a lifelong member of one of the area’s most prestigious clubs, and he’s spent most of his golfing life playing the incredible links along England’s Golf Coast.
While this stretch of coastline is very much his home turf, he’s also teed it up at many of the UK’s top courses — and plenty overseas too. Peter loves sharing his experience, local insight, and passion for great golf, both in the tours he helps design and in the blogs he writes.
