Lesson 2: The Land of Links
Scotland’s coastline is famous for its links land — wide stretches of bumpy, windswept grass that roll down to the sea. No trees. No shelter. Just grass, sky, wind, and ocean.
The grass in these places grows in a special way — rough and thick in some spots, short and fast in others. The ground is uneven, full of natural hollows and ridges. Playing golf here means dealing with whatever the land gives you.
The most famous links in the world is at a town called St. Andrews. Golfers have been playing there for over 500 years. People call it the home of golf, and it is still one of the most treasured places in the entire sport.
When you look at pictures of St. Andrews today, you can see the same bumpy, golden-green landscape that Scottish people played on all those centuries ago. The land itself has barely changed.
St. Andrews in Scotland is called the home of golf. Its links course is over 500 years old and is still played today.
If you could travel to St. Andrews and play one hole, which one would you choose based on what you can see from the air? Why?
Find a picture of St. Andrews Old Course (search ‘St Andrews Old Course aerial view’). Look at it carefully with your parent. What do you notice? Count the bunkers you can see. Find the sea. Find the Old Course Hotel. Draw what you see in your history journal and write three things you notice about this famous place.
Aerial photographs of St. Andrews are extraordinary — the course’s shape, the town right next to it, the sea beyond — it communicates history in a way that words cannot. Google Maps satellite view works beautifully for this lesson.