Best Links golfers on PGA Tour are Henrik Stenson, Rory Mcllroy, Jordan Speith, Jon Rahm, Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, and others.
Links golf also known as coastal courses is associated with unpredictable weather, water hazards, and dunes. There is different soil movement and requires a minimum irrigation to maintain.
It is a tough course thus only a few PGA players are well-versed in the course. That said, Scottish Open takes place in various courses but in recent times, it has mostly featured the link courses which provide a better experience to the golfers before the Open.
While playing on the link golf course, it is imperative to use soil movement, weather, and geography as a whole to the advantage in order to win.
Best Golfers On Links Courses
Best PGA links golfers are:
- Henrik Stenson
- Rory McIlroy
- Jon Rahm
- Adam Scott
- Sergio Garcia
- Justin Rose
- Francesco Molinari
Henrik Stenson
Stenson is ranked number one among top golfers in accordance with his stroke per round. Henrik averages 2.59 strokes in one round in the links courses, he is also in 2016 Royal Troon winner.
Henrik came fourth in the Scottish Open in the 2022-2023 season. He is also the first male Swedish and Nordic major champion.
Stenson currently plays in LIV Golf but previously participated in European Tour, Challenge Tour, Asian Tour, and many other competitions.
Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy is the 2023 Scottish Open Champion with an average of 2.94 strokes. The iconic triumph came after he birdied the last two holes.
McIlroy has played in multiple links golf clubs including Alfred Dunhill Links. In a Youtube video of Taylormade golf, Rory stated that links golf requires different plans and different mindsets.
According to Rory, links golf's first seven holes can be either the easiest or toughest thus it depends on the nature and wind direction.
John Rahm
John Rahm is among the best links golfers in 2023 with a 2.23 stroke rate per round. The Spanish golfer is currently ranked 3 in World Rankings.
Since turning professional in 2016, Jon Rahm has registered 11 wins in the PGA Tour, with two of them coming at the major championships.
Adam Scott
Adam Scott is one of the best golfers who averages 2.64 strokes per round. Scott has one major championship in his cabinet of 14 PGA wins.
The Australian golfer is known for having his own rhythm while swinging. During his play at the links course, Adam carefully analyzes the variables and environment to take the best course of action.
He has played in multiple links courses that might be in the country clubs or in competitions such as Australian Open, Scottish Open, and St. Andrews.
Sergio Garcia
Sergio Garica is a talented golfer from Spain. He ranked in the top 10 positions in the world golf ranking during his prime from 2000-09.
Garcia has 2.45 strokes per round record. It is an average metric from his last ten years of performance. He is performing quite well in the coastal courses.
Ryan Fox
Ryan Fox has made a name for himself as a golfer that performs quite well in coastal settings. He has averaged a stroke of 1.63.
Fox is known for his overwhelming power and swings. He is known for his setups and careful pickups during the links courses as his ability does not bring an advantage during windy conditions.
Best Links Golfers 2023
According to PGA, Best links players On PGA Tour are as follows;
- Jordan Spieth
- Jon Rahm
- Tommy Fleetwood
- Tyrrell Hatton
- Tony Finau
- Xander Schauffele
Best Links Courses In America
Some of the best links courses in the United States are:
- Bandon Dunes
- Old MacDonald
- Highland Links
- Arcadia Bluffs
- Nags Head
- Ocean Course At Kiawah Island
- Chambers Bay
- Erin Hills
- Ferry Point
- Miacomet Golf Course
Bandon Dunes
Bandon Dunes is a golf club located in Bandon Oregon with a wonderful terrain of dunes, pine trees, shores, and tall grasses.
It is a complex club of a five-links course and par-3 golf course that situates on the West Coast of the US. Bandon Dunes has held eight Amateur Championship tournaments which include the most recent 2022 US Junior Amateur.
Dunes Golfers Entry Fee:
Resort Guest: $110 (January) and $350 (June-September)
Resort Guest Replay: $55 (January) and $175 (June-September).
Highland Links Cape Cod 1982
It is a one-of-a-kind golf coast located in the Eastern region of the US in Truro, Massachusetts. It has a long history of golf as it is known for its highland heritage and Scottish tradition.
According to Golf Digest, this old golf course's price is around $45 dollars. The facility is public and the slope offers a beautiful view of grasses and elevated terrain.
Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course
Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course is 245 acres of land located at the shore of Lake Michigan. It has a rolling terrain and evergreen grasses that resemble Irish links.
This public golf club has 36 holes and a coverage area of over 7,000 yards. The club is open from mid-April to mid-November. The entry fee for Arcadia Bluffs is around $110 to $155.
Nags Head
Nags Head is a golf club located in Dare County, North Carolina. It consists of beaches and sand dunes thus interference of coastal air is to be expected while playing in this club.
It measures over 6,000 yards but offers a variable terrain with rolling dunes and an environment shaped by wild sea grasses. The entry fee cost of Nags Head is $65 to $89, but on the weekends it might go as high as $129.
Chambers Bay
Chambers Bay is a public golf course located at University Place, Washington. It has hosted multiple events like US Amateur, US Open, US Women's Amateur, and others.
It spans 7, 585 yards and has 18 holes. Chambers has beautiful coastal settings that provide a good experience to fellow golf enthusiasts.
Bay's price of entry changes according to the demand of the consumer. It can range from $150 to $299 according to the customer's demand during the weekdays.
What is a Links Style Golf Course?
Links style golf course is made up of sandy soil, dunes, and grassland of red fescue. They are also known as Scottish or coastal golf courses.
These courses are near the coast or at least on the coast. The players can experience beautiful scenery and varying climate. Thus, playing in these courses often varies as wind speed, soil movement, and other conditions often dominate the game.
Links players are able to strategize and adjust their game according to the demand of weather conditions. Hence, it helps PGA players to have the upper hand during their plays in championships.
In the past years, links golf courses were not much selected for Open or Major competitions but it is making a comeback as different Opens such as the Scottish and Australian Open are taking place in coastal areas.
Best Links Golf Courses In The World
- Royal County Down Golf Club
- Royal Portrush Golf Club
- Narin & Portnoo Links
- New Course
- Sandy Hills, Rosapenna Golf Resort
- Cabot Highlands
- Chambers Bay
- Royal Adelaide Golf Club
- Pebble Beach Golf Links
- The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island
