A links golf course is the oldest style of golf course, first developed in Scotland). The term "links" comes from the Old English word "hlinc" meaning rising ground or ridge and refers to sandy areas along the coast. Links courses are generally built on sandy coastland that offers a firmer playing surface than parkland and heathland courses). They tend to be on, or at least very near to, a coast, and the term is typically associated with coastal courses, often amid dunes, with few water hazards and few, if any, trees). The sandy soil drains remarkably well, keeping the ground firm, which is ideal for a golf course.

Links courses are characterized by uneven fairways, thick rough, and small deep bunkers known as "pot bunkers". Due to their coastal location, many links courses are frequently windy, which affects the style of play required, favoring players who are able to play low accurate shots. The challenges of links golf fall into two categories: the nature of the courses themselves and the coastal location.

Although the term "links" is often used loosely to describe any golf course, few golf courses have all of the design elements of true links courses, including being built on linksland). The presence of a seaside location does not guarantee a links golf course). Many famous courses regarded as links do not, as presently constituted, have all of the necessary characteristics). Links courses remain most common in Ireland and Great Britain, especially in Scotland). The Open Championship is always played on links courses, and this is one of the main features which differentiates it from the three major championships held in the United States).