In regard to the shape of a links, 1 personally think those on which the holes go straight out to the ninth and return in the opposite direction are preferable; but this must be decided by the nature of the ground, and the holes may be put down in any form or shape that is found most convenient. If possible, avoid making the line of play to one hole cross the line of play to another, and avoid the line of play to or from holes parallel to each other being too close. On a busy green crossing and playing in close parallel lines is apt to result in some of the players being struck; and even if accidents do not happen, timid players are kept in a state of constant trepidation.

The first two or three holes should, if possible, be fairly long ones, and should be, comparatively speaking, easy of play. Holes of a good length permit the players to get away without congesting the links, or, in the words of a Musselburgh caddie, it allows them to 'get squandered.' If the first holes are too short or too long or too difficult - any extreme produces the same result - there is invariably a block at the tees: whereas, if the plan I have suggested can be carried out, this is avoided. Another reason for having the first two or three holes comparatively easy is, that I consider it is only fair to permit a golfer to get warmed to his game before severely testing his abilities. A good start is all-essential, and even the best of golfers may get into difficulties. If he does get into difficulties at the first couple of holes it will materially affect his whole game and deteriorate his play; whereas, if he gets a good start, he is not only less likely to break down under the strain of difficult golf, but even if he does come to grief it will not have the same depressing effect on his after play.

The green should be laid out so as to test the capabilities of golfers without giving undue advantage either to the man who is a long driver, or to the man who excels at the short game. A golfer who can drive further than his neighbours is undoubtedly entitled to some advantage for being able to do this; but, as golf does not consist solely of long driving, the advantage should not be so great as to put out of court entirely the man who, driving a shorter ball, is more expert in approaching and putting. There should, therefore, be a certain proportion of holes at each of which the long driver, by reason of his long driving, can save a stroke; and there should also be a certain proportion of holes at which the player who can handle his iron and his putter skilfully has a like advantage. On every eighteen-hole course there should be at least two short holes within the reach of a good player with one stroke; these should be certain three's. I would almost advocate their being in the one case a full cleek shot, and in the other a full iron shot; and there should be not less than one long hole to be reached in, say, three full strokes. The other holes may be made of varying lengths - none of them under two strokes in length, some capable of being reached in two full shots, and others within reach of one full drive or two full drives and iron and cleek shots of varying lengths. Holes which can be reached with a drive and an iron shot should, unless properly guarded by hazards, be very sparingly laid down, because they arc likely to prove what has not inaptly been termed 'levellers' - that is to say, the ball can be driven on to the green in two strokes by anybody, and it may be that at such holes, if not guarded, there is little advantage in getting away a good drive, because, even if the drive is foozled, any ordinary player can put his ball on the putting-green with his second stroke. The result is, that one man who has driven a good shot may have a short approach to play, while another who has got a bad drive, or who has foozled his stroke, will only have a longer approach to play, and his mistake will thus cost him very little. Of course in this case there is an advantage in having to play the shorter approach: but, generally speaking, a mistake ought to pay a greater penalty than merely increased length of approach. If there be judiciously placed hazards, such an objection cannot hold good, as a foozled drive is practically certain to be punished. It is not possible to lay down ideal distances, because so much depends upon the nature of the ground. For instance, on a flat or on a seaside links, where the ground is hard and the turf short, a ball can be driven much further than on a hilly or heavy course, because it has a considerable run after alighting, and it is possible to get, away a long second stroke owing to the ball lying clear; while on a heavy inland course, where the grass is long, the drive is all carry without any run and owing to the interference of the grass it is not possible to get away a long second stroke; and on a hilly course, the nature of the ground may considerably diminish the distance of the drive; consequently, on courses of the nature first mentioned the holes may be made longer than on courses such as those last indicated. It is to be kept in view, too, that the links are to be laid out for the use of a certain class of golfers. If all are beginners it is a mistake to make the course too difficult at first, as it will diminish their pleasure and possibly disgust them with the green; but as they get more expert the links can be made more difficult by lengthening the holes and similar devices. On new greens which are of a rough nature, the holes should be made shorter to begin with, until the ground is walked down, and they can afterwards be lengthened by putting the tees further back; for, of course, the putting-greens cannot be removed save at great expense.

The tees should be placed on level parts of the course, with, if anything, a slight slope upwards in the direction to be played. If there be a hillock or rising ground or any obstruction requiring to be driven over in front, the teeing-ground should be kept far enough back to enable the ball to rise over it in the course of its flight. Provision should be made for changing the teeing-grounds frequently, to prevent the turf on them being worn out, and to permit ground previously used to recover.