Keilir - Iceland

Keilir is surposed to by the top golf course in Iceland, but to be honest I was a bit disappointed. Not that the facilities, the fantastic view over the Atlantic, or the service was bad, all that was perfect, and the front 9 “Lava course” was just out of this world. However, If you wish to design a golf course you need to have enough space to do this, and not get greedy, and I think this was exactly what happened when Keilir decided to make the back 9 of the championship course as well as a separate 9 hole golf course making it a total of 27 holes. The back 9 and the separate 9 hole course is squeezed into a relatively small area resulting in the fairways being very close to each other and quite dangerous to play, as most of the holes are blind. Hole 10, 11 and 16 are fantastic holes, but the rest on this back 9 are blind and between 15 and 16 there is a no go OB area in the middle of the course (!)

Having said all this, in fairness I also have to express my joy in playing the front 9 “Lava course”. This is definitely an experience and an adventure you must play. The fairways are gently “moulded” into the lava, and the greens also protected by lava rocks – no green bunkers are necessary on this part of the course. It is absolutely necessary to stay on the green stuff, because if you end up in the lava you either need a lava iron, if you have one, or it is a none playable ball. It may sound like I had a bad day on the course, but I did not, I played really well on the entire course even though there was a strong wind from the north, but I challenge that Keilir is the best course in Iceland.

3 years since my last review... Some new back tees have been added and this is clearly the best course in the country on average in the last couple of years, both in terms of design and quallity of the greens. Not to mention the unique front 9 in the lava. Cedric

Played today under the sun….Yes, another rainless day here in Iceland for this amazing July 2007. The Icelandic Championships happen to be played on that course this summer and will indeed start tomorrow!! So the course was in real Championship conditions. Wonderful fast greens and manicured fairways. During our round, the helicopters were taking overview pictures for television purposes. While Royal County Down and Royal Aberdeen are often referred to as the best front 9 in Britain and Hillside as the best back 9, this course hosts the most unique front 9 I have played!!! The rough is not made of grass, but of lava instead…So wayward shots may be bumping quite a number of times… The back nine (they actually switch the 9s for the Championship) is not as extraordinary but hosts some great holes nonetheless, especially 10th, 11th, 15th, 16th and 18th. The 16th is a 160 meters par 3 straight towards the see and the beautiful glacier Snæfellsjökull. The recent changes have improved the quality of the courses, as well as new practice facilities, and some more renovation is on its way. The 12th, 13th and 14th hole will be moved and redone completely. While they are the weakest as the course now is, the plans of the new holes look indeed very very promising!! A truly wonderful course, maybe the best in the country….Usually,the backdrop is considered as very important on a golf course...The town of Carnoustie,the factory in the back drop at St George's or Dundonald are not really appealing for example.Don't be put off here by the aluminium factory!!!It gives a certain touch to the place in my opinion....Cédric