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guidesTypes of golf course: links, parkland, pitch & putt and which suits you
Links, parkland, desert, resort, par 3 and pitch & putt. How each one plays, which to choose for your level, and what to check before booking a course you don't know.
Types of golf course
Not every course plays the same. A links and a parkland can share a par and a yardage and still demand completely different golf: on one the ball runs forty metres, on the other it stops where it lands.
Knowing what kind of course you are about to play, before you arrive, is information that converts into shots.
Links
The original. The first Scottish golf courses were built on sandy coastal ground, and that style is what we now call links.
| Feature | How it affects play |
|---|---|
| Sandy, firm ground | The ball runs a very long way |
| Few trees | Wind is the main obstacle |
| Deep pot bunkers | Sometimes you can only come out sideways |
| Natural undulation | Constant sloping lies |
| Large, firm greens | Hard to stop the ball |
How it plays: low and running. The high approach does not work here: you land the ball short of the green and let it run. Putting from off the green is a normal play, not a last resort.
In Spain: the northern coast — the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia — has links or semi-links courses thanks to the ground and climate. So do some southern courses right on the coastline.
What you need: the knock-down shot and patience with the wind. Both are in how to play golf in wind, rain and cold.
Parkland
The most common type inland in Spain and across continental Europe.
| Feature | How it affects play |
|---|---|
| Heavily wooded | Trees define the fairway and punish dispersion |
| Denser, softer turf | The ball barely runs. Everything is carry |
| Flatter, designed ground | More predictable lies |
| Receptive greens | You can attack flags |
| Less wind | Air has less influence |
How it plays: through the air. You treat distance as almost pure carry, and the high approach that stops on the green works.
The risk: the trees. A slice on a parkland leaves you behind a trunk with no angle, whereas on a links it leaves you in playable rough. Managing dispersion matters more here: dispersion in golf.
Resort course
A commercial category more than a technical one: courses attached to a hotel complex, designed to be spectacular and playable.
What to expect: immaculate conditioning, wide fairways, full facilities, frequently a compulsory buggy, and higher prices. They tend to be generous to the amateur: few impossible fairways and plenty of recovery angles.
When to choose one: when the trip has an experience component and not only a golf one. The numbers are in how to plan a golf trip in Spain.
Desert or semi-arid course
Common in south-eastern Spain: Murcia, Almería, inland Alicante.
What to expect: fairways bounded by unwatered natural terrain where the ball is essentially lost if you miss. Designs with sharp transitions between green and arid ground, and plenty of lost balls if you are erratic.
How it plays: with margin. Less driver than you think and conservative targets. Bring more balls than usual.
Par 3 and Pitch & Putt
The most underrated category in Spanish golf and the best entry point there is.
| Par 3 | Pitch & Putt | |
|---|---|---|
| Holes | All par 3 | All par 3, shorter |
| Distances | 90-180 m | 40-90 m |
| Clubs needed | Irons and wedges | A wedge and a putter |
| Duration | 2-2.5 h | 1.5-2 h |
| Price | €15-30 | €10-25 |
| Licence | Often not required | Usually not required |
Why they deserve far more respect than they get:
- They are the best way to start. No pressure, no five hours, no licence.
- They train the part of the game that decides your card. A Pitch & Putt round is 18 approach shots and 18 putts: exactly where you lose shots.
- They are cheap, quick, and fit into a weekday afternoon.
- In Catalonia, a Pitch & Putt handicap below a certain threshold can exempt you from the tests for a full-course handicap. Covered in how to get your golf handicap in Spain.
If you are starting out, two Pitch & Putt rounds teach you more than four buckets of balls.
Nine-hole courses
Not a terrain type, but they deserve their own mention because they solve golf's most real problem: time.
Nine holes is a little over two hours and well under half the price of 18 at many courses. For a beginner it is a better experience — you finish fresh rather than wrecked on the 13th — and for anyone with a tight schedule it is the difference between playing and not playing.
Which to choose, depending on where you are
| Your situation | Type of course |
|---|---|
| First time holding a club | Driving range and Pitch & Putt |
| First real rounds | Par 3 or a nine-hole course |
| High handicap (36-54) | Short parkland, municipal, forward tees |
| Mid handicap | Any. Try a links to learn the low shot |
| You want to improve your short game | Pitch & Putt, without hesitation |
| Trip with a mixed group | Resort, for facilities and width |
| Bored of aerial golf | Links |
What to check before booking a course you don't know
- Total length and par. Compare it with your driver distance × 28 to see whether it suits you.
- Slope and course rating. A high slope warns that the course punishes amateurs.
- Maximum handicap required. Uncommon, but it exists at some courses.
- Federation licence. Almost all rated courses ask for one.
- Compulsory buggy. It changes the final price.
- Course condition. Temporary greens or maintenance work is the information that most affects your round.
Teeup gives you the full profile of every course in the network — distances, facilities, real pricing — before you book, and confirms your tee time in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What is a links course? A course on sandy coastal ground, with few trees, plenty of wind, firm turf where the ball runs a long way, and deep bunkers.
What is the difference between links and parkland? Links is coastal, firm and running, with wind as the obstacle. Parkland is inland, wooded and soft, with aerial play and receptive greens.
What is a Pitch & Putt? A layout of very short holes, 40 to 90 metres, playable with a wedge and a putter. Ideal for starting out and for short-game practice.
Do I need a licence to play Pitch & Putt? Usually not, though it depends on the venue. It is one of its advantages for beginners.
Which course is best for a beginner? A par 3, a Pitch & Putt or a nine-hole course. Less time, less pressure, less cost.
How do I know if a course is too long for me? Multiply your driver distance by 28. If the course length from your tees is well above that figure, move up a tee.
Choosing the right course is as much a strategic decision as choosing the right club. The terrain tells you which shots you will need before you reach the 1st tee.
Teeup has over 40 courses in Spain with full information before you book.
Download the Teeup app and book your next round.