Kytäjä (South East) - Finland

A highly-rated parkland style course set in a rural area north of Helsinki. The club has 36 holes which are apparently alike but this is rated higher as the back nine winds around the lake. Unfortunately the fairways were very heavy and the weather had been fine so it is likely to have been overwatered. Also, the greens were just ponderous and putts regularly jumped or diverted from where struck. Design and asthetics very solid.I was fortunate to be able to play the South-East course as there was a tournament on the other layout. Would love to have been able to play both and compare them. I played the Linna course (currently rated #2 in Finland) the following day and although it doesn't have the same bold and brash setup as Kytaja I actually preferred it.

We were fortunate enough to experience the course on a still, sunny August morning. Taking the first tee time, arriving at the course was a unique experience, as the early morning mist rose from lake Kytäjä to reveal a magnificent view of the course from the first tee. There can be only a few golfing pleasures that create such an atmosphere.

Enhanced by the remoteness of the location, the early morning sun rays glimmering through the tall Finnish pine trees and total tranquillity, the immediate feeling was that this was a special place and this would be a round to remember. We chose to play the course from tee’s 55, which make it around 6,000 meters in length, but with a selection of 5 tee choices the course sets up well for golfers of all abilities.

The first tee sets the tone, with a raised tee box surrounded by tall pines, requiring an accurate drive to avoid a lake on the left hand side of the fairway and well positioned bunkers running along the right hand side. A tough uphill approach presents you with a difficult green to negotiate, that slops severely from front to back. This sets the bar and from this moment on you are presented with feast of difficult and delightful golf holes, requiring accurate driving, precise shot making and carefully considered putting.

The designer has made exceptional use of the natural undulating terrain to create a breath taking challenge with a great mix in length and difficulty. The front 9 ends with a downhill par 3 and the back 9 starts with a downhill par 3. It may be said that back to back par 3’s goes against the grain of great course designs, but in this case it works, particularly as the compulsory and quality half way house breaks up proceedings.

The only slightly weak hole on the back 9 is 13, although the tee shot makes up for a bland approach to an unprotected green. The following hole is an excellent risk/reward par 5 with lake Kytäjä hugging the right hand side of the fairway, reachable in two if you’re brave enough to cut the dogleg. As you make your way through the next 3 holes variety continues to be the norm, in every aspect, from potential birdie opportunities to difficult par chances.

The designer leaves the very best till last, with the par 5 18th being possibly one of the most exciting finishing holes I’ve played. It has everything, including an amazing view of the lake to the left, to constantly remind you the slightest hook could result in a water hazard and a ruined card.

After the round we made our way back to the impressive clubhouse, which is a fine example of modern Finnish design with top quality practice facilities. All in all there is nothing but class at this destination and its obvious why it features within the top 50 in Europe. Unfortunately it’s a delight that few will experience due to the location and the restricted daylight, but if you are lucky enough to have an opportunity to visit it’s well worth the trip.

The best course I have ever played in my life. The courses under my belt include the Meridien Moscow CC and all the courses in Turkish Belek. The Kytaja beats them all and by far. The course's built on an excellent and diverse piece of land and has a very clever lay out. Each and every hole has a strategy to it. What makes this course outstanding in my eyes is it's conditioning. Everything is perfect but what really shines is the greens. Putting into the bunker or back to the fairway is not a difficult thing. Just forget about the gentle rolling slope behind that flag and make a slightly too quick putt and the ball catches the slope and goes directly away from the green. I gave the course a 5-ball mark simply because I suppose there are far superior courses in the world which I am yet to play but if I should compare this course to all my previous real life experiences it would defintely be a 7-ball mark.