The Links at Starkville is a 9-hole regulation course that is part of an adjacent apartment complex. Watch out for residents walking around the property as you hit your ball! Remember that if you pay for a round of 18, you’ll be playing the same 9 holes twice. The biggest perks of this course are the friendly staff and the reasonable price. Green fees are $18. There are 4 tees to accommodate golfers of different skill levels. This is an easier course and would be best suited to beginner and intermediate golfers. This course also has an excellent pace of play. There is a driving range and putting green on-site. The greens are in average condition and play slow. The condition is exactly what you’d expect for a 9-hole public course. Residents of the apartment complex get a free golf course membership. Hole #5 is the signature hole. You can expect a sharp dogleg to the right, which means a blind shot. There’s a left hand bunker, and on your second shot, you’ll face a large tree in front of the green. Aim left and hope for a fade shot to position yourself well for putting. A few other notes on what to watch out for: Hole #4 (280 yards) has a postage-stamp sized green. This review wouldn’t be complete without me highlighting the biggest issue on this course - some of the holes are simply too long for the par rating. For example, Hole #9 is a Par 4 and is 400 yards! There are 3 other holes that are Par 4 and around the 400 yard mark. This makes the course a bit boring, and it would be tiring for a beginner. The course relies on distance too much as the main hazard. It also relies on fairways that get very narrow as you approach the green. It starts to get a bit predictable and repetitive after a while. All in all, this course is a great place to brush up on your long game on a friendly, no-pressure course. It’s a great bargain if you keep your expectations in check and bring your driver.
