Elisefarm - Sweden

When it debuted in the summer of 2005 – following an exhibition match between Henrik Stenson and Louise Stahle – the 18-hole layout at Elisefarm Golf Club was the first Hawtree golf design in Sweden since Martin Hawtree’s grandfather completed the Old Course at Båstad back in 1929.

Arranged in two loops of returning nines, the course only occupies half the acreage of a site that has been planned as a 36-hole complex. When Elisefarm is fully developed, it will consist of four 9-hole circuits, enabling, for instance, maintenance work to be carried out on part of the property without closing the entire facility.

Fairways are laid out over rolling contours that overlook Lake Ringsjön and a number of large stones that were dug up during construction have been brought into the design, providing unique features around the course. A number of new ponds and streams that were also built come into play at a few holes on the card.

To help speed up play on the course, the club permits only singles, 2-balls and foursomes before 9.00am every day with the latter two formats restricted to match play. After 9.00am, stroke play can be played by any group size up to a 3-ball. Now, if other clubs banned 4-ball stroke play, golfers might just see a substantial improvement on the time it takes to complete a round.