LINK (5)

Link (?), n. [[See Linch.]] 1. 1. A hill or ridge, as a sand hill, or a wooded or turfy bank between cultivated fields, etc.
2. 2. A winding of a river; also, the ground along such a winding; a meander; — usually in pl.
The windings or “links” of the Forth above and below Stirling are extremely tortuous. Encyc. Brit. 3. 3. pl. Sand hills with the surrounding level or undulating land, such as occur along the seashore, a river bank, etc.
Golf may be played on any park or common, but its original home is the “links” or common land which is found by the seashore, where the short close tuft, the sandy subsoil, and the many natural obstacles in the shape of bents, whins, sand holes, and banks, supply the conditions which are easential to the proper pursuit of the game. Encyc. of Sport. 4. 4. pl. Hence, any such piece of ground where golf is played.