Last Updated on June 12, 2023
Links golf is a game that requires skill and patience. It’s also one of the oldest forms of golf, with its origins dating back to medieval Scotland. So who are the best links golf players? In this article, we look at some of the top names in the sport, their individual styles, and why they’ve been able to reach such great heights.
Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods is widely regarded as one of the best links golf players in history. His swing technique, mental preparation and course management are renowned for their excellence on a variety of courses across the world. He has won 14 major championships throughout his career, making him one of the most successful professional golfers ever.
Woods’ success can be attributed to his meticulous approach to the game: he pays close attention to every aspect that contributes to playing well on a links course – from grip strength and clubhead speed to shot selection and attitude. This level of dedication helps ensure that he maximizes each shot’s potential while minimizing risks taken with poor decision-making. Additionally, he spends countless hours honing his skills off the tee box, around greens and through fairways; this allows him to better control trajectories and directionality when needed.
Not only does Tiger have an incredibly deep understanding of mechanics but also a focus on the ‘mental game’ which many pros struggle with. During tournaments, Woods remains composed under pressure by staying focused on his goals rather than getting distracted by other factors such as crowd noise or weather conditions. All these elements combined make it easy to see why Tiger Woods is considered one of the greatest links golf players today.
Rory Mcilroy
It’s no surprise that Rory McIlroy is considered one of the best links golf players in the world. He has achieved remarkable success on both sides of the Atlantic, winning four major championships and ascending to World Number One status. His mental toughness and approach to links golf have been key components in his success over the years.
McIlroy’s career achievements are truly awe-inspiring; he won three majors by age 25, including two Open Championships at Royal Liverpool (2014) and Royal Birkdale (2017). Additionally, he had a great run at the PGA Championship with back-to-back wins in 2012 and 2014, becoming only the third player in history to achieve successive victories. Such feats demonstrate why McIlroy is so highly regarded as a links golfer.
Mental toughness plays an integral part in any successful athlete’s game, especially when it comes to playing on a links course. The ability for McIlroy not to let himself get too down after making mistakes or bad shots has enabled him to stay consistent throughout rounds – something which eludes many other professional golfers out there today. Furthermore, his laid back attitude towards life off the course helps him stay relaxed during tournaments, allowing him to trust his swing and focus solely on hitting good shots instead of worrying about external pressures from fans or media outlets alike.
These qualities make Rory McIlroy unique among modern day links golf players; with such immense talent combined with incredible mental fortitude and approachability, it’s easy to see how he continues to be one of the top names associated with this style of play.
Phil Mickelson
Phil Mickelson is widely regarded as one of the best links golf players in history. He has won more majors than anyone not named Tiger Woods, and his unique ability to adapt to any course, be it Links or Parkland, sets him apart from other top professionals. One of Mickelson’s primary strengths when it comes to playing on a links course is his strategy differences, course management and shot selection, which are all superior compared to most others.
Mickelson’s approach to playing links courses requires strategic changes that differ greatly from those he would use for traditional American-style courses. He believes strongly in adjusting ball flight paths from high cut shots to low running ones depending on wind direction and location around the green. This often means hitting off line targets with fade/draw shaping to manipulate the spin rates required for optimum stopping power when landing short of greenside bunkers. His knowledge of how far he can hit each club allows for greater accuracy when making decisions about where to land the ball, given different conditions like elevation changes and winds.
When faced with challenging weather conditions or tight pin positions at a links course, Mickelson relies heavily on his impeccable course management skills. From choosing clubs according to their trajectory control capabilities rather than distance alone to taking into account subtle breaks in putts over large undulating surfaces, this five-time major champion knows exactly what needs to be done in order to maximize scoring opportunities while minimizing risks associated with any particular shot selection.
A combination of knowing precisely how hard he can swing without getting too reckless and an uncanny sense of proper placement result in Phil Mickelson being able to outwit even the toughest opponents and get rewarded by making birdies despite difficult circumstances time after time.
Jordan Spieth
Jordan Spieth is one of the best links golf players in the world. He has burst onto the scene and shown his prowess on some of the toughest courses across Europe. His approach to playing links golf is both masterful and unique, allowing him to succeed where other professionals have failed.
Exploring Spieth’s approach to links golf requires a closer look at his strategy. Firstly, he understands how to read greens with precision; this helps him identify breaks between bunkers and green surfaces that may not be visible to others. Secondly, he knows when to take risks and when not to – often opting for safety instead of a more daring shot selection. Last but not least, Spieth always takes into account the wind direction and its potential effect on every shot he plays while also anticipating any adjustments necessary due to weather changes during rounds.
Analyzing Spieth’s strategy from an analytical point of view reveals certain patterns in his play:
On par 3s:
- Calculating yardage accurately
- Aiming for the centre of the green
On par 4s:
- Utilizing wedges effectively
- Placing shots close enough for birdie putts
Examining Spieth’s success demonstrates that these tactics work well; over time, they have served as reliable methods for achieving low scores consistently. From aggressive tee shots on par 5s to pinpoint accuracy around the greens, it’s clear why many consider Jordan Spieth among the very best links golf players in history – his ability to adapt quickly and efficiently is unparalleled in today’s game.
Tom Watson
Tom Watson is a name synonymous with success in the world of links golf. His formidable career record speaks for itself; eight major championships, five Open Championships and two Masters titles are amongst his many achievements. He has developed an enviable reputation as one of the premier links players to have graced a course.
Watson’s equipment preferences often provide insight into his strategy tactics on the links courses he so expertly navigates. He has always been loyal to Titleist clubs and balls, which he believes allow him to hit the shots that suit his game style – namely, high and piercing trajectory shots designed to avoid any trouble spots, such as bunkers or roughs that may lie ahead. This approach requires great skill and years of experience, both of which Tom Watson possesses in abundance.
Tom Watson can certainly be classified as a master tactician when it comes to playing links golf, having won multiple tournaments over four decades since turning professional in 1971. His career successes speak volumes about his talent level and show why he will forever remain one of the greatest ever players on this iconic terrain.
Gary Player
Gary Player is widely regarded as one of the greatest links golf players in history. He was renowned for his ideal shot selection, greens management and extensive course knowledge throughout a career spanning over six decades. His exceptional skills helped him to become one of only five men ever to have completed a grand slam in golf:
- Masters Tournament – 1961, 1974
- U.S Open – 1965
- British Open Championship – 1959, 1968, 1974
- PGA Championship – 1962, 1972
His experience playing on some of the most difficult courses across the world gave Gary an edge when it came to links golf specifically. He developed an intricate understanding of how wind could affect play and knew that he had to be more creative with his approach shots than most other players if he wanted to stay at the top of his game.
Conclusion
Links golf is a challenging and rewarding sport. It requires the player to use different strategies than regular golf, as well as specific equipment and courses. Over the years, many great players have risen to become some of the best links golfers in history. They employ special techniques that make them stand out from other players, such as accurately judging wind conditions and having precise control over their shots.
It’s not easy for beginners to get into this type of game, but it can be done with patience, practice, and dedication. With all these elements combined, anyone can master the art of links golf just like any professional would. So why don’t you give it your best shot? You never know – you might just become one of the greatest links golfers ever!
