Does the golfing term "links" refer to the whole course, the fairway, or both?

Question

Please include a source I can refer to.

Answer 1

It refers to the entire course, as in "Let's hit the links."

Answer 2

A links course is generally used to describe a specific style of golf course - few trees, windy, wispy weeds.  British Open courses.

Answer 3

Its the originall term for a golf course in england and scotland. The term links is mostly used in the United States to describe the golf course. A links style golf course is one with little or no trees just fescue separating the fairways and lots of pot bunkers. So one that would look like it belongs in europe.

Answer 4

In the early days of golf, primarily over cheap and available seaside land in Scotland, golf courses started with hole #1 playing away from the clubhouse.  

The holes would follow each other in a links fashion...the outward nine followed by an inward nine back to the clubhouse.

Answer 5

It refers to the type of golf course. Many links courses have very unlevel greens and lots of fairway bunkers

Answer 6

Links refers to the entire course. Why not try on the internet under the word " links ". The dictionary defines it as of Scottish derivation referring to a a strip of sandy land along the sea shore. It also states that it is another term for golf courses.  Since the Scots introduced the game to the world, the name " links " came right along with it.

Answer 7

I think it refers to the whole course.

Have a good one...