Until a few years ago a golf-links at a distance from the seashore was a thing seldom seen. True it is that there were one or two inland courses on which the game has been played for centuries, such as Bruntsfield, Perth, and Blackheath; but at almost every other place the sea-breezes and the music of the waves refreshed and soothed the jaded golfer, who obtained renewed vigour from a friendly match, unpursued by thoughts of his score or dreams of that demon of modern links, Colonel Bogey. As the demand for golfing facilities increased, it was impossible that the old courses could accommodate the numberless enthusiasts who threw themselves heart and soul into the game, and as a natural consequence golf-links have come to be laid out everywhere, very often on places which the past generation of goiters would have deemed it little short of madness to attempt to transform into a links. It has, in fact, been found possible to lay out a golf-course over almost any tract of ground of sufficient extent. The adaptability of the game is one of the greatest features of golf, and there are really few places where a course cannot bo laid out. I do not say that a first-class links can be made everywhere that golf can bo played, but a course can always be laid out over which many enjoyable games can be go and on which a considerable amount of skill can be attained.

As is before pointed out, eighteen holes is recognised as the greatest number a golf-links should contain: and while it is desirable to have this number of holes, if good ones can be obtained, it is a mistake to cram into any piece of ground a greater number than it can comfortably hold. It is better to have nine good holes than eighteen bad ones.

The laying out of a golf-course is by no means a simple task, (treat skill and judgment, and a thorough acquaintance with the game are absolutely necessary to determine the best positions for the respective holes and teeing-grounds, and the situation of the hazards. It is a mistake to suppose that our older golf-courses in their present state are the same as when first formed. The original formation of them is lost in past centuries; but we know that changes have frequently been made. and they really have been the product of ages of experience, and have, so to speak, been evolved in the course of time. At every one of our historic courses changes have been made again and again as experience dictated - bunkers have been tilled up and new ones formed, holes have been shortened and lengthened, until these links have assumed their present state.

When a new course is to be laid out I would strongly advise the promoters to obtain the assistance of some one experienced in such matters. But for the benefit of those who may desire to dispense with such assistance, or who cannot readily obtain it, I shall endeavour in this chapter to give an idea of the chief objects to be kept in view. It is not possible for any one who has not had previous experience of the game, and who has not seen other courses, to attempt to lay out a links. When, however, a new golf club is being formed, and a links being laid down, there is usually among the initiators of the movement at least one who has a good knowledge of the game, and such individual or individuals will usually take a leading part.

The most suitable ground for a links is undoubtedly that near the seashore; it will be found that however unpromising such ground may look at the moment, owing to a heavy covering of rough, benty grass, it will very soon improve with walking and playing over it, the rough grass will disappear, and a velvety sward take its place. A subsoil of sand is always in favour of ground being suitable. Ground at the seashore is not, of course, always available, and in default of it, any old pasture or moorland will usually be capable of being formed into a golf-links. I have seen fields of arable land sown down with tine lawn seeds to make an addition to an existing course; but land so sown is the most expensive, it takes longer to bring into good condition, and is never so satisfactory in the end as land that has been under grass for some years. Sowing down land means making and turfing putting-greens, and it is not possible to get a good firm sole of grass before the second season at soonest. It should therefore only be adopted as a last, resource.

The ground for the links having been selected, there cannot bo much difficulty in ascertaining the number of holes it will contain. If there be sufficient space for eighteen good holes so much the better: but if not, i would recommend that the number be fixed at either nine or six, as twice round the one and three times round the other completes a game. Fifteen- and twelve-hole courses are sometimes found; but in either case the number is awkward, entailing the play over again of the first three or six holes, as the ease may be, to complete the game, and it may happen that these first holes are by no means the best on the course, and. moreover, it may have the effect of terminating the game at a considerable distance from the club-house.

The number of holes having been decided upon, the next thing to settle is their position, and the position of the teeing-grounds. It is desirable that the first teeing-ground and the last putting-green should be near the club-house, so that members may neither have far to walk to begin their game, nor far to walk alter it is finished. These two preliminary points settled, a bird's-eye view of the ground from some eminence may probably suggest the positions for the other holes and teeing-grounds. Having tentatively fixed the places for them, and found that they will all fit in in due order, the place of each should be marked off by a stake, and each hole critically examined in detail. If ultimately found suitable after due consideration, the places so indicated can be finally adopted. I need hardly say that a very great deal will depend upon the natural character of the ground; and although the following remarks are intended to guide in laying out the green, it will be found that in many cases they cannot be strictly adhered to, but must be varied to suit the nature of the ground upon which the links are being formed. It may be taken as a general indication of the length and difficulty of a green of eighteen holes, that par play over it - that is to say, good play without mistakes, and allowing two strokes for holing-out in each ease after the putting-green is reached - should require about eighty strokes. I do not think it is advisable that any green should be more difficult.