Not all golf courses are created equal. The land a course is built on shapes everything: how the ball bounces, how the wind behaves, how the turf feels under your feet and which shots you need to score well. A 150-yard approach on a firm seaside links might call for a low punch that lands 30 yards short of the green. The same distance on a soft, tree-lined parkland course calls for a high shot that lands next to the flag and stops.
Understanding course types makes you a smarter player and a better-informed golf traveller. It helps you choose the right shots, the right equipment and even the right destination for your next golf holiday.
Links courses
Links is the original form of golf, born on the coasts of Scotland. The word comes from the Old English hlinc, meaning rising ground, and describes the sandy strip between the sea and farmland. This land was poor for farming but perfect for golf: sandy soil that drained quickly, fine grasses cropped by grazing animals and natural hollows that became bunkers.
What to expect:
- Firm, fast-running fairways on sandy soil.
- Few or no trees, and wind as a constant factor.
- Deep pot bunkers, rolling dunes and natural undulations.
- Fescue grasses and greens that are often approachable along the ground.
- Unpredictable bounces — part of the charm.
How to play it: keep the ball low. The bump-and-run is your best friend, and putting from well off the green is often the smart choice. Plan for the ball to run 20–40 yards after landing on firm ground. Avoid pot bunkers at all costs, even if it means playing away from the flag, and accept that wind will dictate club selection on every shot.
A true links — and "links-style"
Strictly speaking, a links must sit on coastal, sandy land linking the sea and the inland. Many courses described as "links-style" are inland layouts designed to look and play like links, with mounds, fescue and few trees. They can be excellent, but they rarely play quite as firm or as windy as genuine seaside links.
To experience true links golf, consider a trip to the birthplace of the game. See our guides to golf in Scotland and golf in Ireland.
Parkland courses
Parkland courses are built inland on fertile, often rolling land, with lush turf and mature trees lining the fairways. Many of the world's most photographed inland courses are parkland layouts, with manicured fairways, colourful planting and water features.
What to expect:
- Soft, well-watered fairways where the ball stops quickly.
- Tree-lined holes that punish wayward tee shots.
- Water hazards and well-defined bunkers.
- Greens that hold high, spinning approach shots.
- Thicker rough than most links or heathland courses.
How to play it: fly the ball to the target. Carry distance matters more than roll, so know your carry yardages, and be prepared to punch out of the trees rather than attempt heroic recoveries. Because fairways are soft, the course may play longer than its yardage suggests, especially in wet conditions.
Heathland courses
Heathland courses sit on sandy inland soil covered with heather, gorse and pine. They are especially common in the south of England and parts of northern Europe, and many golfers consider them among the most beautiful places to play.
What to expect:
- Firm, well-draining turf that plays well all year round.
- Heather-lined fairways that can swallow a ball.
- A blend of links-style ground game and parkland-style aerial golf.
- Pine and birch trees framing holes, with open, sandy areas.
- Colourful scenery, especially when heather blooms in late summer.
How to play it: accuracy off the tee is crucial; heather is unforgiving. Expect some run on the fairways but greens that still accept a well-struck approach. If you find heather, take a lofted club and get back to the fairway — trying to advance the ball a long way usually fails.
Desert courses
Desert courses feature lush green fairways threaded through natural desert. Miss the turf and you will be playing from sand, rocks and cacti, often under a penalty-area rule.
What to expect:
- Dramatic contrast between green fairways and arid surroundings.
- Firm, fast conditions and plenty of sunshine.
- Penalty areas marking the desert, so missing the fairway is costly.
- Elevation changes and spectacular views.
- Hot temperatures, especially in the afternoon.
How to play it: prioritise finding the fairway — a fairway wood or hybrid off the tee is often wiser than a driver. The ball flies further in heat and at altitude, so expect to club down. Play early in the day in summer, drink plenty of water and use plenty of sun protection.
For desert golf destinations, see warm-weather golf destinations in the USA.
Other course types
Mountain courses
Mountain courses bring dramatic elevation changes and views. The ball flies further at altitude, so expect to club down — sometimes by one club or more at high elevations. Uphill and downhill shots need further adjustment. Sloping lies are common.
Clifftop and coastal courses
Clifftop and coastal courses that are not true links offer spectacular sea views but often play more like parkland, with softer turf and more trees. Wind can still be a major factor.
Downland courses
Downland courses are built on chalky, rolling hills, common in parts of southern England. They drain well, play firm and are often exposed to the wind, with wide views and few trees.
Moorland courses
Moorland courses sit on upland heath, often at higher elevation with heather, bracken and exposed terrain. Weather can change quickly.
Resort and stadium courses
Modern resort courses are often designed for spectacle and enjoyment, with wide fairways, multiple tee options and memorable signature holes. Stadium courses are built with spectator mounds for tournament galleries. See how to choose a golf resort.
At a glance
| Type | Ground | Trees | Key shot | Where you find them |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Links | Firm, sandy, fast | Few or none | Low bump-and-run | Coastal Scotland, Ireland, England |
| Parkland | Soft, lush | Many | High approach | Inland regions worldwide |
| Heathland | Firm, sandy | Pine & heather | Accurate tee shot | Southern England, northern Europe |
| Desert | Lush fairways in sand | Few | Fairway-finder | Arizona, Nevada, the Middle East |
| Mountain | Varied | Varied | Elevation-adjusted approach | Alpine regions, Rocky Mountains |
| Downland | Firm, chalky | Few | Wind-cheating approach | Southern England |
How to adapt your game to each course type
Club selection
| Course type | Typical adjustment |
|---|---|
| Links in wind | One to three extra clubs into the wind, fewer downwind; plan for run |
| Soft parkland | Possibly one more club, because the ball stops quickly and flies less in damp air |
| Heathland | Club for accuracy off the tee; normal approach clubs |
| Desert and altitude | One less club in heat and thin air |
For more on adjusting club selection to conditions, read playing golf in bad weather.
Around the greens
- Links and heathland: use the putter or a low-running chip whenever possible. See how to chip in golf.
- Parkland: expect softer greens that grab the ball, and thicker rough around the greens. A lofted pitch is often needed. See wedge play.
- Desert: firm greens and tight lies; chip with a less lofted club.
Bunkers
- Pot bunkers on links are deep and steep-faced. The priority is getting out — sideways or backwards if necessary.
- Parkland bunkers usually have softer sand and shallower faces.
- Heathland bunkers often have natural, rugged edges.
For technique, see how to hit bunker shots.
Equipment tips
- Links: a low-spinning ball, a driving iron or hybrid for low tee shots, and good waterproofs.
- Parkland: a higher-spinning ball for stopping power, and a lob wedge for soft greens.
- Heathland: a reliable fairway finder off the tee.
- Desert: sun protection, a hat and plenty of water.
See how to choose the right golf ball and essential golf accessories for more.
Which course type is best?
There is no single best type. Each offers a different kind of enjoyment:
- Links suit golfers who love creativity, history and the challenge of the elements.
- Parkland suits golfers who enjoy target golf, beautiful scenery and predictable conditions.
- Heathland suits golfers who want firm, all-year turf with natural beauty.
- Desert suits golfers seeking winter sunshine and dramatic landscapes.
For more on what separates a good course from a great one, read what makes a great golf course.
Planning a golf trip by course type
Choosing a destination by course type is a great way to plan a memorable trip:
- For a links adventure, look to the coasts of Scotland, Ireland and parts of England and northern Europe, ideally in late spring or summer when days are long.
- For parkland golf, many inland regions around the world offer manicured courses within easy reach of cities and airports.
- For heathland golf, the south of England and parts of northern Europe offer firm, playable courses for much of the year.
- For desert golf, winter and early spring offer the most comfortable temperatures.
Mixing course types on a single trip — a few links rounds followed by a parkland or heathland course — is a great way to test every part of your game. For planning help, read how to plan the perfect golf trip.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between links and parkland golf?
Links courses are coastal, sandy, firm and largely treeless, with wind and ground-game shots as major factors. Parkland courses are inland, lush and tree-lined, rewarding high shots that fly to the target and stop quickly.
Are links courses harder than parkland courses?
They are different rather than harder. Links can be very difficult in strong winds, while parkland courses punish wayward shots with trees and water. Many golfers find links golf harder at first because it requires unfamiliar shots.
Why is it called "links"?
The word comes from the Old English hlinc, meaning rising ground or ridge, describing the sandy land linking the sea shore and the farmland behind it.
Do I need different clubs for links golf?
No, but some golfers add a driving iron or low-lofted hybrid for low tee shots and remove a lob wedge, since the ground game is more useful. A good set of waterproofs is more important than any club.
What is a heathland golf course?
A heathland course is built on sandy inland soil with heather, gorse and pine, combining the firm turf of links with the tree-lined beauty of parkland.
The bottom line
Every course type offers a different test. Links rewards the low, running ball and imagination in the wind; parkland rewards high, accurate approaches; heathland demands accuracy off the tee; desert and mountain courses demand respect for the boundaries and the conditions. Learn to read the land, adapt your club selection and short game, and you will score better wherever you play. The best way to grow as a golfer? Play as many types of course as you can.