MartinD
Especially with the front hole locations. That much helping wind coupled with firm ground conditions, imo, make those short shots much more difficult versus hitting approach shots into the wind from much longer distances. Some of those hole locations you simply ignore because you're not getting it close, not even with your best effort.
Par is always a good score on a windy day playing real links golf.
I'm reminded of a round many moons ago @ Portmarnock. Came to a 180-yard par3, into a 30+mph wind, hit driver and barely made the front fringe. A few holes later we come to another 180-190-yard par3 going the other direction, 30 mph (wind helping) and hit a wedge over the back of the green.
I think I shot 89 that day from what I remember... 4 handicap at the time. One of the better rounds of golf I've ever played, all things considered. I remember walking alongside my playing partner, 5 feet away, and having to yell to carry on a conversation with him because of the wind noise. I also remember being exhausted afterward, because it was a tremendous amount of work to simply figure out the right club selection.
I'm sure Tlkerer remembers that day. 325 yard par4 starting hole, crushed my drive, and then had to lean on a 5-iron from 140 yards to find the green.
My first real round playing true links golf. I had a blast. And trust when I say that every fairway bunker had directional arrows for the ball to go towards. A drive in the center of the fairway meant very little there if there were sand bunkers within reach off the tee.
It's a different game for sure.