Are links courses cow pastures?

The British Open is over and we once again had a glimpse at one of the finest golf courses Scotland has to offer. I find it amusing how the people that love links courses will defend them to their grave. We've all heard the arguments that links courses are how golf was meant to be played, links golf is not for us spoiled Americans who play on such nicely manicured courses. Spoiled because we know how to effectively maintain a golf course? What's that all about?

Yes, when golf was invented there were no sprinklers or fancy mowers, but the times have changed and Americans have taken to modern technology very nicely. There are a lot of great links courses in the US, I played one in Denver last month. Over here we keep the fairways and greens green. If a golf course like Royal Troon were in the US we would make fun it. Check out Pasture Golf for a look at how we Americans mock courses just like Royal Troon.

I think all of you so called golf purists out there that think golf courses should look like they did hundreds of years ago, should put away your Scotty Cameron putters, the $500 Taylor Made drivers and your PRO V1 balls. If you think golf was meant to be played on a cow pasture like your ancestors did, fine, but stop playing with the modern equipment and go back to what was being played back then.