The quick read
What to know
- Traditional links golf developed on sandy coastal land; parkland usually describes a more tree-lined setting.
- Course style suggests the questions to ask, but weather, tees and daily conditions determine the actual challenge.
- Lykia, Montgomerie and Carya offer a useful local comparison of links-style, parkland and heathland-inspired design.
The difference between a links and a parkland golf course is more than the view from the first tee. It can change how a player chooses a landing area, judges wind and approaches a green. Understanding the terms helps when building a golf holiday: two courses with similar length and par may ask very different questions.
These labels describe broad characteristics, not fixed difficulty levels. A links course is not automatically harder, and a parkland course is not automatically sheltered or forgiving. The most useful comparison combines the design, the tees a visitor will actually play and the conditions expected on the day.
What makes a links course?
Traditional links golf developed on sandy coastal ground. The R&A's history of golf's spread connects the game's beginnings with this naturally draining land before courses expanded onto inland sites. Open terrain and exposure to changing weather are central to the classic links experience. The Open's own description emphasises how wind can make the same hole present a different problem from one day to the next.
In firmer conditions, the ball's behaviour after landing becomes especially important. A player may consider a lower approach that runs towards the target, provided there is a suitable route and enough room. The relevant distance is then partly a landing decision: where can the ball touch down, and what lies between that point and the hole? A beach view alone does not answer these questions or make every coastal resort course a traditional links.
What does parkland mean?
Parkland commonly describes courses with a more enclosed, tree-lined landscape. Trees, fairway corridors, lakes and bunkers can frame the intended route. The golfer may face a clear choice between playing towards a preferred angle and taking on a more demanding carry. The shape of the hole can be easier to see than on an open landscape, but that does not make the shot easier to execute.
Avoid assuming the surface will always be soft or the air still. A dry parkland course can run quickly, and wind remains part of the calculation. Similarly, an exposed links course after rain may not produce the bounce a visitor expected. Look at the actual landing area and ask about conditions before making a club decision from the course label.
Compare the decisions, not just the scenery
These are useful tendencies to think about during planning and practice, rather than promises about every course or round.
Swipe to read the full table
| Question | On an open links-style layout | On a tree-lined parkland layout |
|---|---|---|
| Where should the ball finish? | Allow for slopes, bounce and wind | Consider the next shot's angle around trees and hazards |
| How will the approach arrive? | A running route may be useful when the ground allows it | A carry may be needed where bunkers or water guard the front |
| What should I practise? | Distance control and alternative trajectories | Reliable carry distances and choosing conservative targets |
| How do I compare difficulty? | Check tees, forced carries and current conditions | Check tees, forced carries and current conditions |
Three contrasting examples around Belek
Lykia World describes Lykia Links as a links-style course on natural sandy terrain shaped by coastal winds. It sits in Denizyaka, outside central Belek, so include the journey when comparing a day there with a round beside the hotel. It is a useful option to investigate for travellers who want a coastal contrast within a Turkish golf itinerary.
Montgomerie Maxx Royal describes its setting as seaside parkland forest. This is a helpful reminder that being near the Mediterranean does not erase the importance of trees and routing. Carya, meanwhile, describes itself as a heathland course set in pine forest and draws inspiration from Surrey's heathland courses. It should not be squeezed into a links-versus-parkland comparison without acknowledging that different design tradition.
Choose a varied itinerary that suits your game
Before booking, describe your normal game honestly: typical carry distance, comfort over water, preferred round length and whether you enjoy walking. Ask which tees suit that profile. If a course exposes a weakness, a lesson or a short practice session can make the experience more rewarding than simply choosing the longest set of tees available.
For a multi-round trip, contrast can be more memorable than repeating the same visual setting. Pair a familiar type of course with one that encourages different decisions, and leave time to discuss what changed. The terms guide explains expressions such as carry, lay-up and lie; the Stableford guide offers a scoring format to consider for a friendly holiday competition, subject to the group's agreed rules.
A few more answers
Common questions
Is every seaside golf course a links course?
No. Traditional links refers to the sandy coastal landscape and its playing characteristics, not simply a sea view. Course descriptions may also use links-style for a design inspired by that form of golf.
Is Carya a links or parkland course?
Carya's own description is heathland-style, inspired by Surrey heathland courses and set in pine forest. That is a more accurate description than forcing it into either category.
Sources & further reading
- The R&A: Golf Around the World 2017, origins and course settingsassets.randa.org (opens in a new tab)
- The Open: the character of links golftheopen.com (opens in a new tab)
- PGA of America: playing the ground game on linkspga.com (opens in a new tab)
- Lykia World: official course descriptionlykiaworld.com (opens in a new tab)
- Montgomerie Maxx Royal: official course descriptionmontgomeriemaxxroyal.com (opens in a new tab)
- Carya Golf Club: heathland course informationcaryagolf.com (opens in a new tab)
