First Glimpse of Links Golf

My first view of a links course was at Crail Balcomie Links in Scotland with my great Verma Cup friends in 2008. As I stood like Patton overseeing a battleground, Crail’s land seemed to be a moonscape unlike what I was used to in Canada. No trees, all walkers wandering the golf course, the old lifeboat shed to the right of the 1st fairway and the glistening sea from almost every angle. Canada’s lush courses are often lined with trees and buggies/power carts often predominate. Crail has criss-crossing fairways on sandy soil that made me think a helmut was a good idea. Legend has it that the back to back Par 3’s on the course was where Shivas Irons played in the top-seller, Golf in the Kingdom. The cave described in the book was different in person—I peered inside the darkness and the whiff of urine made me scamper to the next tee. The clubhouse is wonderful with a trophy case and large windows to soak in the beauty during a late lunch. Andrew and I listened intently during an information session stating the cup liner was invented here. Cool to think of this history and that Crail Golfing Society was formed pre-French Revolution in 1786. 1% of golf courses are links and most are found in the UK and Ireland. What is your fond experience of your first sight of Old Country links golf?