Keilir - Iceland

Keilir GC is comprised of two completely different nines- not surprising given the respective nines are on completely different terrain and were designed by different parties.

The back nine is routed over a small peninsula abutting Hafnarfjordur harbour (this was the original nine), while the front nine traverses a field of black lava- a 'lava links course' if you like!

I particularly liked that opening nine with it's ocean views and 'linksy' feel- you can see players and flags on other holes, but not the playing surfaces- much like a links course.

The strategic nature of the course demands good course management. It really is a thinking golfer's course... However, one certainly does not want to hit into the lava!

We asked the locals if their was a local rule for the lava? The answer? They all carry a 'lava club', and play the ball as it lies- the lava club being an old scratched club that can take the damage the lava inflicts...

Most memorable holes in the front nine include holes 2, 3 & 8- all surrounded by that black lava.

The back nine is a different type of course with some special holes along the ocean and some quirky blind holes. The most memorable holes were those on the clifftops- holes 10, 11, 14, 15 & 16

I thought the back nine was interesting, but for me did not hold the same charm as the lava links in the front nine..

Keilir GC is regarded by many as the best course in Iceland. Located near both Reykjavik and the airport, golfers should pencil Keilir in as the first course they play in Iceland

Peter Wood is the founder of The Travelling Golfer – click the link to read his full review.

Arguably top 1-2 courses in Iceland. Know for its fast and fair greens (on Icelandic standard), well maintained course with fantastic views over the see and the mountains around the Reykjavik area and for its unique front nine holes that tread their way through a 1000-year-old lava field.

There are no bunkers on the front nine, the lava surrounding the fairways and greens are deemed as enough of a hazard and obstacle for most golfers and it is a good advice for everyone, keep the ball on the green part of the course. Good friendship with the elves (that the locals claim live in the rocks) is sometimes helpful and throw the balls back into the fairway (or if you do not believe in elves, you can be lucky with the bounce from the rocks). The lava gives each hole its distinct look, feel and difficulty. To mention three holes, the second hole with its two lava fields on each side waiting for mishit drives and the rock splitting the fairway right next to the green. The fifth hole is the most difficult on the front nine with difficult landing area and big and slopy green. The seventh, par 5, is usually the best chance for birdie if players are willing to take the chance and play their second blind over the lava and try to reach the green in two but that plan often fails and high scores recorded on the scorecard.

The second nine are totally different. The course takes the players around a small peninsula with links style bunkers and greens. Three new holes opened in 2017 and one more in 2020 and one is scheduled in 2021. In 2023 two more new holes will be opened and the redevelopment of the second nine will finish. To mention three holes here also, 11th hole, dog leg to the left out towards the end of the peninsula with beautiful views over the see (this hole will in 2023 be connected to the par 3 10th to make a long par 5 hole). 14th where the drive needs to carry 180 meters over see from the members tee with tricky green to hit in the second. 15th is a par 3 with deep bunkers on the left and the coastline on the right.

Even though the second nine often seem more harmless and people think they are easier then is the average score generally higher there than on the front nine (lava) even though the back nine are par 35 but the front nine par 36.

The clubhouse is nice and friendly and the restaurant is one of the better ones in the neighborhood and fairly priced. The diving range and practice facilities are top class.

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