A links is the oldest style of golf course, first developed in Scotland. The word "links" comes via the Scots language from the Old English word hlinc : "rising ground,
ridge" and refers to an area of coastal
sand dunes and sometimes to open
parkland.
Colloquially, ‘hitting the links’ would simply be a slang way of saying ‘hitting the golfcourse’ or ‘playing a round of golf’.
Me: Yo Bro Namath, when
are we hitting the links again?
Friend:
You tell me Brobi-wan-Kenobi. I can get us a
tee time for tomorrow if you really want to play.