personally ive never played a true links course as there is not very many where i live so it is a bucket list item for me!!!

I prefer links.

In the PNW, the drainage factor is a plus, but it's truly the way a links (Chambers, Gamble, Gearheart, Bandon) or links style (Wine Valley, Palouse Ridge, Home Course) demands attention and enables creativity on every hole.

Tee shots that are bombs or low runners, 150yd approach shots that land 20yds short and roll up or bump and run it the whole way, and big, roller coaster greens that can take putts in multiple directions and still get close. I find I'm as mentally exhausted as I am physically from walking those courses.

Parkland and tree-lined courses in the PNW can be gorgeous hikes (Gold Mountain, Sahalee, Salish, Prospector), and yet the straight and narrow tree-lined 425yd template hold with bunkers at 260 and around a smallish green just do not get the glutes activated like any tee shot does at one of our links or linksy courses.