About Us
Golf Without the Noise
Wandering Links exists because golf has become too loud. Too commercial. Too focused on equipment, scores, and status symbols. We started this community to return the game to what it should be: a catalyst for meaningful connection.
Graybull, one of the best places to wander
Philosophy
What We Believe
The best rounds are rarely about the score. They're about the conversation on the seventh tee, the dinner after the round, the friendships that extend beyond the course.
Courses That Inspire
We believe the game is best experienced on courses that challenge and inspire. Links courses, classic designs, and hidden gems that reward strategy over distance.
We avoid resort courses and anything built primarily for real estate. Every course we play tells a story worth experiencing.
Character Over Credentials
Our members include founders, investors, operators, and senior leaders—but what matters most is how someone shows up on and off the course.
Generosity, curiosity, and the ability to laugh at a bad shot matter more than handicap or resume.
Small Groups, Big Connections
We keep groups intentionally small—typically 8 to 12 members per trip. Large enough for variety, small enough for everyone to know each other's name by the second day.
No forced networking. No agendas. Just shared rounds and honest conversation.
Setting Expectations
What We're Not
Not a tee time booking service
We don't offer member rates at partner courses or help you secure hard-to-get reservations. This is about curated experiences, not convenience.
Not a networking group
While many members form business relationships and partnerships, that's never the primary objective. If your goal is transactional connection, this isn't the right fit.
Not exclusive for the sake of exclusivity
Our application process exists to protect community culture, not to create artificial scarcity. We're selective because shared values matter.
Community & Platform
More Than Just Trips
Wandering Links is a year-round community powered by technology and driven by connection.
Member Directory
Know who you're playing with. Access detailed profiles including preferred playing times, home clubs, professional background, and topics members want to explore.
Digital Programming
Virtual events, exclusive content, and community discussions keep the conversation going between trips. Stay engaged year-round.
AI-Powered Tools
From personalized course recommendations to trip planning assistance, our technology works behind the scenes to enhance your experience.
The Founders
Built by Golfers, for Golfers
Wandering Links was born from a simple idea: the best golf experiences happen when you combine great courses with great people.
Barnbougle Dunes, Tasmania
Chris Hjelm
Venture Capitalist
Cincinnati, OH
Favorite Golf Things
Playing golf at sunset, any Seth Raynor course, and the miraculous par save
Why I Started This
Time is precious. I want more rounds where I walk off 18 with a new friend and new perspective on life.
Fun Facts
Played golf in 25 countries. About 70% done with World Top 100, US Top 100, and US Top 100 Public.
Sleepy Hollow No. 16
Chandler Fischer
Director of Strategic Accounts
Lexington, KY
Favorite Golf Things
Firm and fast conditions, a Donald Ross green, and the feeling you get on the first tee of a course you've never played
Why I Started This
To capture what makes golf special: rewarding thought over force, sharing moments with like-minded people through a round's highs and lows, and connections formed along the way.
Our Story
How It Started
Chris had just played Oakmont and Fox Chapel with another golf society—two of the most storied courses in America. On the way home, he stopped in Columbus to play Brookside Country Club with a friend of a friend and their regular group.
Something unexpected happened. That round at a local club, surrounded by strangers who quickly became friends, turned out to be the highlight of his trip. He left Columbus with new friendships, business prospects, and a realization: it's not just about the course—it's about the company.
The next day, Chris met Chandler for a round and shared the story. By the back nine, Wandering Links was born.
Today, we curate trips to exceptional courses for a community of young professionals who understand that the best investments you make are in relationships.
Ready to Join the Club?
Most golf communities optimize for convenience or prestige. We optimize for substance. If that resonates, we'd love to hear from you.