Lyngbygaard (18-hole)

Lyngbygaard Golf was founded in 2008 and is located some five kilometres to the west of Aarhus, Denmark’s second largest city.

The first eighteen holes opened for play in 2008 and, according to Rick Baril, “represent a compendium of von Hagge, Smelek and Baril, Danish golf architect, Michael Möller, and golfing great Thomas Bjorn joining forces to design 27 holes of golf.” The original 18 holes, simply called the “18-hole” course, are widely considered the premier configuration. The shorter 9-hole course was added a year and a half later and is a tighter loop that plays through forested areas with several water hazards. It’s a super accompaniment to the main 18-hole course.

The 18-hole layout measures a testing 6,442 metres from the tips with par set at 72. The closing four holes are especially engaging and they include two one-shot holes at 15 and 17. The former is uphill and encircled by sandy waste areas to the left and right. The latter is again uphill and waste areas create an island-like green setting which requires a focused mind and a good swing.

The 16th is strategic par four that doglegs to the right. The tiger line off the tee is down the right, but don’t miss the fairway or land in the pot bunker or it will be a struggle or an impossibility to reach the green in two. The closing hole is a long par five that plays directly uphill to the largest green on the course that is well guarded by bunkers. A par on the last is a good score for most golfers and should be rewarded by a well-earned drink in the comfortable clubhouse.

Danish author, Jens Christensen, describes the first 18 holes as “two different halves,” saying, “the first nine holes are in a flat, open area while the last nine run through a hilly wooded area. He adds that there are “giant greens … surrounded by large bunkers … and golfers must be sharp with different wedges to hold their score together.”