The months of July and August are host to two of the most iconic Majors held in the UK within the Men’s and Women’s game.

I thought it may be interesting to provide a few of my personal insights and considerations of the skills  required to play a Links golf course.

Skills To Play A Links Golf Course

It was my first visit to Royal Troon for The Open this year, what a truly magnificent venue. I spent time during the practice days surveying the course layout and Tournament set up. I was surprised at the severity of the rough, undulations with pin point accuracy absolutely key.

My Top Considerations when heading to the Links

1. An appreciation of how to hit the ball low with control into the wind, in addition how this ball flight affects the overall distance. A key difference between a parkland course requiring a “drop and stop” ball flight. This change certainly takes time to adjust and perfect.
2. Widen your stance width when putting in breezy conditions lightly resting the putter on the green.
3. Creativity is key so why not try to build in a variety of shots prior to your visit. This is particular necessary for the short game where negotiating contours is a challenge requiring a degree of visualisation and some good fortune.
4. Managing Expectations and Acceptance levels. Links golf can be extremely hard but incredibly fun with patience a critical component.
5. Practice long pace putting which is never more evident than the multitude of shared greens at St Andrews. An errant approach shot or incorrect club selection can leave a putt of 80 yards or more.
6. Practice hitting from steep bunkers or consider booking a lesson with your chosen PGA Teaching Professional. I recall hitting a shot from my knees outside the area of the bunker. In line with bullet point number 4 it is quite plausible to play away from the flag (greenside bunker) or backwards from a fairway bunker. “Don’t try the Mission Impossible shot”

The Postage Stamp at Royal Troon well guarded

7. Keep the ball in play, this may sound obvious but the undulations on the fairway can kick the ball right angles into the waiting thick fescue. An area of absolute avoidance.
8. Do you know how to hit out of this thick wispy rough? If not why not head to my Instagram account SarahBennettPGA where I have just posted a reel how to tackle the Links defence.

I hope watching the dramas of Links golf has encouraged you to test some new found skills with life long experiences.