We grabbed something to eat at the grill and headed out for our afternoon round on the Links Course. Not having seen the course before, I was expecting a links layout given the name. It took me a few holes to figure out that isn’t what we’d be getting!

Actually, there isn’t anything “linksy” about the Links Course. That’s not a bad thing really, as the Links Course continues the great setting at Grand National! I mention this just so you don’t expect a layout like the Senator Course at Capitol Hill.

Most of the Links Course requires you to play the ball in the air and there are multiple forced carries. There is a little more elevation change (compared to the Lake Course) and the Links Course has the same basic routing as the Lake Course, just on the other side of Lake Saugahatchee.

Over half the holes have the lake in play with great views while the others play through the woods. The middle section of holes (#8 through #13) have some target golf features and seem to be where the bulk of the trouble lurks.

We played the orange tees which are 6574/71.5/127. Compared to the Lake Course, the Links Course should be slightly tougher. However, I didn’t think that was the case because there wasn’t as much pressure here to hit perfect drives! The fairways on the Links Course seemed wider and more inviting. The bunkers were staggered at different distances throughout the course, unlike the Lake Course where most seemed to be 225 to 245 yards from the tee.

I’d like to do a hole by hole review, but because of time I’ll just highlight a few holes. On the front nine the 4th and 9th stand out. The 4th is a mid-length par 4 that plays from an elevated tee. It doglegs left around the lake and you can hit driver or layup off the tee. The green is guarded by the water on the left too.

A little deeper into the round is the 9th, a neat par 3 with a peninsula green in the lake. The green complex actually slopes off into the water so you have to be very precise! In some cases it might not be a bad idea to intentionally miss short of the green!

The final hole I’ll mention is the 18th, which is one of the longest par 4’s on the course. The fairway is one of the narrowest ones and there are forced carries on the drive and the approach. The green angles from front right to back left and drops off over the back, into some rough. You need to hit a good drive and second shot if you want to have a chance for a two putt par!

Besides enjoying the design of the Links Course more, I also enjoyed the conditions more. The improvement here wasn’t drastic but I’d certainly give the edge to the Links Course on the maintenance.

For whatever reason, the grass looked a little greener and fuller. Plus, the greens were smoother. For what it’s worth, the breaks in the greens were subtle considering all the ridges and tiers in them.

We caught a break with the weather and the storms stayed away until after our round. “After” being the key word. As soon as we put the flag back in the cup on the 18th and started walking towards the cart, the horn sounded for lightning!

Course Pictures (click any picture to scroll through the gallery):