Master (Forest)

Europe's golf map stretches well beyond the famous names. Away from the links of Scotland and Ireland and the better-known resort destinations of Spain and Portugal, there are outstanding courses tucked into mountain valleys, Baltic coastlines and forests across the continent. From Switzerland to Estonia, these are courses that can be easy to overlook when planning a golf trip, despite offering the scenery, character and quality to make the journey worthwhile. We've picked 10 of Europe's biggest hidden gems, with every course coming from a different country. Andermatt Golf Course (Uri, Switzerland) Switzerland Ranking: 12th | Green Fees: From 130 CHF (€137) At around 1,400 metres above sea level, Andermatt Swiss Alps is surrounded by mountains, but the course itself is not quite the mountain layout you might expect. Designed by Kurt Rossknecht and opened in 2016, much of the 130-hectare course is relatively flat, with long rough lining the fairways and few trees giving it a links-like character. The third and fourth holes provide a dramatic change of pace, climbing through the rocky terrain at the end of the valley, while natural streams and water hazards feature elsewhere on the layout. The surroundings are impossible to ignore, with mountain ranges encircling the course and the sound of Alpine streams and grazing cows completing the experience. Pärnu Bay Golf Links (Pärnu Maakond, Estonia) Estonia Ranking: 1st | Continental Europe Ranking: 52nd | Green Fees: From €75 Estonia is hardly the first country that springs to mind when planning a European golf trip, which is precisely why Pärnu Bay Golf Links deserves a place on this list. Opened in 2015, the Lassi Pekka Tilander design occupies a narrow strip of sandy land where forest meets the Baltic Sea. Wide fairways, expansive waste areas and bold, multi-tiered greens give the course a links-like character, while the firm fescue surfaces reward a low, running game. Lead shaper Mick McShane, whose CV includes Kingsbarns, helped bring the design to life. Pärnu Bay may be off the beaten track, but it is one of the Baltics' standout layouts. Adamstal Golf Club - Championship Course (Niederösterreich, Austria) Austria Ranking: 1st | Continental Europe Ranking: 89th | Green Fees: €115 Tucked into a wooded valley southwest of Vienna, Adamstal feels a long way from the Austrian capital and even further from the usual European golf itinerary. Yet this spectacular mountain course has been Austria’s No. 1 on Top100’s national rankings and has hosted several editions of the Challenge Tour’s Euram Bank Open. Canadian architect Jeff Howes shaped the Championship course around the natural contours of the valley, with the 10th and 11th climbing into the mountains before dramatic elevated tees reveal the landscape below. The course even has a settle-the-bet 19th hole, a par three tucked into a pretty valley beside a mountain spring that has supplied Adamstal with drinking water for more than a century. Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach Resort (Dobrich Province, Bulgaria) Bulgaria Ranking: 1st | Continental Europe Ranking: 43rd | Green Fees: €119 Perched on Bulgaria's northern Black Sea coast, Thracian Cliffs is one of Europe's most spectacular coastal golf courses. Gary Player’s signature design opened in 2011, with the holes carved along a narrow strip of land between high cliffs and the sea. The Black Sea is visible from every hole, while dramatic elevation changes add another dimension to the experience. The course hosted the 2013 World Match Play Championship, won by Graeme McDowell, and has featured prominently in Top100’s Continental Europe rankings. Alongside nearby BlackSeaRama and Lighthouse, Thracian Cliffs forms part of an unlikely but compelling golf destination on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. Zala Springs Golf Resort (Hungary) Hungary Ranking: 1st | Green Fees: 41,900 HUF (€114) Set among the rolling hills of western Hungary, Zala Springs combines a Robert Trent Jones Jr.-designed course with the thermal waters of nearby Hévíz. Opened in 2016, the 160-hectare layout winds through a landscape of lakes, natural rock formations and mature vegetation, with plenty of water coming into play. The 12th is among the standout holes, requiring an all-carry shot over an intimidating lake, while the ninth features a distinctive Biarritz green. Zala Springs is ranked Hungary’s No. 1 course by Top100 and offers something increasingly rare in modern golf: a high-quality course paired with a destination where golf is only part of the holiday. Kytäjä Golf – South East Course (Finland) Finland Ranking: 4th | Green Fees: From €90 Just 30 minutes north of Helsinki, Kytäjä's South East course offers a very different side of Finnish golf. Designed by Canadian architect Thomas McBroom and opened in 2003, it was his first Scandinavian project. The front nine winds through undulating woodland, before the back nine opens out across flatter terrain and towards the shores of Lake Kytäjä. Those lakeside holes provide some of the course’s most impressive views, with the surrounding Finnish landscape never far from sight. Kytäjä may be a relatively unfamiliar name to travelling golfers, but visitors are warmly received and there is plenty to discover. Karlštejn Golf Resort – A&B Course (Central Bohemian Region, Czechia) Czechia Ranking: 4th | Green Fees: From 1,900 CZK (€78) Golf in the grounds of a medieval castle is a pretty good way to spend a day in Czechia. Around 30 kilometres southwest of Prague, Karlštejn Golf Resort winds through a hilly, wooded landscape beneath the famous Karlštejn Castle, with limestone outcrops, ravines and a couple of lakes adding plenty of character. The 6,324-metre course was designed by Canadian architect Les Furber, who returned in 2006 to add a further nine holes. The original layout has also hosted a Ladies European Tour event, adding some serious pedigree to an otherwise wonderfully secluded setting. With Prague close by and the castle looming over the landscape, Karlštejn offers a memorable combination of golf and sightseeing. Golf Club Tále - Gray Bear Course (Slovakia) Slovakia Ranking: 3rd | Green Fees: From €75 Set in a mountain valley beneath the Low Tatras, Gray Bear was the first 18-hole championship course to open in Slovakia when it welcomed its first golfers in 2002. Designed by Americans Bob Walton and Skip Malek, the course occupies 160 acres of spruce forest within Tále National Park, weaving between open meadows and dense woodland. Streams, boulders, stone walls and specimen pines are incorporated throughout the layout, giving it a distinctly natural character. The 6th is the signature hole, with a stream crossing the fairway before the hole sweeps downhill towards a green surrounded on three sides by water. With the Low Tatras providing a dramatic backdrop throughout, Gray Bear is a memorable introduction to golf in Slovakia and an easy addition to a wider trip through the country. Golf Grad Otočec (Novo Mesto, Slovenia) Slovenia Ranking: 2nd | Green Fees: €80 Set among the heavily forested hills of Dolenjska, Grad Otočec winds through an undulating 185-acre property beside the River Krka. The course is a collaboration between Howard Swan and local architect Peter Škofic, with tight playing corridors creating an unusual sense of seclusion as the fairways twist through the woodland. The 3rd is a standout, with the par five turning towards a sunken, blind green, while the 12th stretches to 568 metres and demands three long, straight shots. Adding to the appeal, Otočec Castle sits nearby on an island in the river, giving visiting golfers the chance to stay in a genuine Slovenian castle after their round. Miklagard Golf (Viken, Norway) Norway Ranking: 2nd | Green Fees: From 850 NOK (€78) Just 10 minutes from Oslo Airport, Miklagard is remarkably convenient for a course of its stature. Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed it as Norway’s first championship course, with the layout purpose-built to host national and international tournaments. It is a big, bold test, with significant elevation changes, large bunkers and fast, contoured greens. A 2019 remodelling project added five new holes and reshaped the opening, while a hotel now occupies the former practice area. Its combination of accessibility, pedigree and championship credentials makes it an easy addition to a golf trip through Norway.

Åland is the kind of golf destination that takes a bit of explaining, and that is precisely its appeal. This autonomous, Swedish-speaking archipelago belongs to Finland but sits closer to Stockholm than Helsinki, and it is home to two 18-hole courses sharing the grounds of a medieval royal estate. Golfers who make the crossing find Slottsbanan, ranked Ålands best golf course and Finland's number two course, and Kungsbanan, its hillier sibling, both built around the ruins of Kastelholm Castle and the waters of the Baltic Sea. This is not a destination with dozens of courses to choose from, and that is rather the point. Åland golf holidays trade quantity for atmosphere: long Nordic summer evenings, a slow island pace, and a genuine sense of having found somewhere most travelling golfers have never considered. This guide covers both courses, how to get there by ferry or air, where to stay, what to eat, and how to put together a few days of golf that feel like nowhere else in Northern Europe. Åland - Your Next Golf Holiday? Åland rewards golfers who want something different from the usual Nordic golf trip, and a handful of practical reasons explain why it keeps drawing visitors back. Two courses, one royal estate: both 18-hole courses sit within walking distance of each other around Kastelholm Castle, so golfers can play 36 holes without ever moving hotels. Championship pedigree: Slottsbanan hosted the Ladies European Tour in 2022 and is ranked one of Finland's finest course, following Philip Spogárd's 2020 redesign. Long Baltic summer days: June and July daylight runs well into the evening, so a late afternoon tee time is rarely a problem, and golfers are not racing the sunset. Low-key and uncrowded: with only a handful of courses on the islands and a short May to October season, tee sheets stay relaxed compared with mainland Sweden or Finland. Finland's Best Golf, Two Courses Strong Ålands Golfklubb – Slottsbanan (Castle Course): Slottsbanan is the reason most travelling golfers cross the Baltic in the first place. The par-72 layout plays to approximately 6,382 yards (5,834m) from the back tees, with the sea present on nearly every hole. The 2020 renovation by Philip Spogárd wove Slottssundet Bay directly into the strategic line of play, and views of the castle itself appear from several holes. The clubhouse sits a short walk from both first tees, with a pro shop, practice putting green, bunkers, and a driving range all centrally located. Green fees run to approximately £120 (€140/$150) on a summer weekend, dropping to around £95 (€110/$120) for a May, June or September midweek round, and the course restaurant's sun-trap patio is a popular spot to finish the day. Ålands Golfklubb – Kungsbanan (King's Course): Where Slottsbanan plays open and coastal, Kungsbanan is the wooded, hillier alternative on the same estate. Jan Sederholm's 1989 design occupies the grounds of King Gustav Vasa's old hunting estate, and the narrower, more varied holes reward golfers who take time to learn how the course reads rather than simply overpower it. Facilities include GPS-enabled buggies, a golf academy, club fitting, and locker room access, making it a comfortable second round on the same day as Slottsbanan. Green fees are noticeably gentler than its sister course, at approximately £75 (€90/$95) on a summer weekend and around £60 (€70/$75) midweek in the shoulder months. Beyond the Two Courses: Åland's Hidden Gems Prinsessan: The short third course at the same club is easy to overlook, but it is the perfect option for a loosening-up round before serious golf, or for a non-competitive evening nine. Green fees are approximately £15 (€15/$15), and it suits families or anyone travelling with a partner who is newer to the game. Sixteen free disc golf courses: Åland set a world record in 2020 by opening eleven disc golf courses in a single day, and the network has grown since. Almost every course is free to play, spread across the islands with sea views, exposed rock, and woodland, and one course sits right across the bay from the golf club at Kastelholm, making it an easy add-on for a rest day. Full course maps and details are available through DiscGolfPark. The floating sauna: a genuinely local experience rather than a golf one, Saunax's wood and electric-heated sauna raft moves around Mariehamn's harbours and can be booked for two, three or six hours, complete with a rooftop terrace and a jump platform into the Baltic. It is an excellent way to spend an evening between rounds, and golf groups in particular tend to book it for the last night of a trip. Sample Itinerary: A 3-Day Åland Golf Escape Åland's compact size means a short trip never feels rushed. Most visitors build a three or four-day visit around the two courses, the castle, and Mariehamn's harbour, with enough slack to add a sauna evening or a disc golf round. Day 1: Arrival and Mariehamn Arrive by ferry into Mariehamn's harbour or by air into the small Mariehamn Airport, then settle into a hotel in town. Spend the afternoon walking the harbourfront before an early dinner with sea views, and an evening drink to watch the sunset over the western harbour sets the tone nicely for what follows. Day 2: Slottsbanan and Kastelholm Castle Tee off at Slottsbanan in the morning while the course is at its quietest, then take a leisurely lunch on the clubhouse patio. The medieval ruins of Kastelholm Castle sit a short drive from the course and are open daily through the summer season, so an afternoon visit pairs naturally with a golf morning. Round off the day with dinner back in Mariehamn or, for something different, a booked slot on the floating sauna. Day 3: Kungsbanan and the Maritime Museum Play Kungsbanan in the morning, when its tighter, hillier holes are most enjoyable before the wind picks up. In the afternoon, head to the Åland Maritime Museum and the tall ship Pommern in Mariehamn's harbour, both within easy walking distance of each other and a good option if travel partners are not golfing. A tapas dinner in town makes for a relaxed final evening before catching an afternoon ferry or flight home. Getting to Åland and Getting About By Ferry Most visitors arrive by ferry, and Åland's position in the middle of the Baltic makes this the natural route. Eckerö Linjen runs the shortest crossing, a two-hour hop from Grisslehamn in Sweden to Berghamn on Åland's western side, with onward bus connections to Mariehamn. Viking Line operates the larger ships from Stockholm, Helsinki and Turku, which function almost as short cruises with restaurants, bars and entertainment on board, and several lines offer packages bundling the crossing with accommodation and green fees. By Air Mariehamn Airport (MHQ) is a small regional airport roughly 3km (1.9 miles) from the town centre, served mainly by Finnair and PopulAir with the bulk of flights connecting to Stockholm and a handful to Turku and Helsinki. Because Åland sits outside the EU VAT area, the airport's small duty-free shop is worth a browse on departure. Taxis and rental cars are available at the terminal, though there is no scheduled bus service, so arranging transport in advance is sensible. Getting Around A rental car is the easiest way to combine both courses, the castle, and Mariehamn's restaurants, and the golf club's partner Rundbergs Bil & Service can arrange collection at the harbour or airport. Local taxi firms, including Jomala Taxi, cover the islands for those without a car, and hotels can usually recommend a driver for transfers between courses and town. Weather and Packing The golf season runs from May to October, with the warmest, most reliable weather across June, July and August at approximately 18°C to 22°C (64°F to 72°F). The Baltic Sea keeps a breeze running across both courses even on a warm day, so a light wind layer is worth packing alongside standard summer golf kit, even in mid-summer. Language and Practicalities Swedish is Åland's official language, and English is spoken comfortably at both the golf club and almost anywhere visitors are likely to go. Trolleys, buggies and clubs can all be rented at the course, and golfers should email the club in advance of travel to confirm any current handicap or membership requirements, since policies can be adjusted season to season. Where to Stay for Åland Golf Mariehamn town is the obvious base for golfers who want restaurants and harbour life within walking distance, with the Ålandhotels group running three central properties (Pommern, Savoy and Adlon) alongside Hotel Arkipelag, the island's largest hotel, which adds pools, saunas and several restaurants overlooking the eastern harbour. Golfers chasing something quieter and more scenic can look further afield to Havsvidden Resort on Åland's dramatic northern cliffs, or to Silverskär, a private island property aimed at small groups wanting a self-contained high-end stay. Both sit further from the course than central Mariehamn, so factor in extra driving time around tee times. Budget-minded visitors, or those who would rather stay within a few minutes of the first tee, can look at the cottages and guesthouses clustered around Kastelholm itself, including Klingbergs Stugor, Kastelholms Gästhem and Edens Stugby. Staying out here trims the daily commute to the course but means a short drive back into Mariehamn for dinner most nights. Åland's Culinary Scene Mariehamn's harbour towns punch well above their size for dining. Boquerian brings a cosy, tapas-style menu to the heart of the city, while ÅSS Paviljongen pairs excellent food with arguably the best sunset view in town over the water. For a higher-end evening, Nautical overlooks the western harbour and leans into fine dining with sea views to match. The golf club's own restaurant is worth building a round around, serving drinks, lunches, dinners and snacks from May through October on a patio that catches the sun for most of the day. Visiting groups are encouraged to email ahead for a group menu, and the kitchen's hours extend into the evening through the height of summer. For something distinctly local, Ålandspannkaka, the Åland pancake, is a baked, semolina-thickened dessert served with prune jam and cream, and it appears on menus across the islands. Smoked Baltic herring and other archipelago seafood are also worth seeking out, particularly at restaurants closer to the harbour. These are only a handful of the islands' options. For the fuller range of restaurants and accommodation across Åland, the official Visit Åland portal lists choices across every village, along with a trip-planning tool for building out an itinerary beyond golf. Booking Golf in Åland Ålands Golfklubb takes reservations for the full season well ahead of time by email, and the published 2026 price list runs through clearly defined midweek and weekend bands from May to October. Three-round combination packages, mixing rounds at Slottsbanan and Kungsbanan, offer a meaningful discount over booking each round individually, and any additional pre-booked rounds beyond a package receive a further 30% reduction. Peak demand sits across July and August, when daylight is longest, and weather is most reliable, so groups planning a multi-day combo package should email the club a season ahead if travelling during these months. Outside peak weeks, Åland's tee sheets are noticeably more relaxed than equivalent Scandinavian mainland courses, and last-minute bookings are often still possible. Ferry operators and Ålandhotels both sell bundled packages that combine the crossing, accommodation and green fees into a single booking, which can simplify planning considerably for golfers travelling from Stockholm, Helsinki or Turku. Booking the ferry and golf separately gives more flexibility on tee times but requires a bit more legwork. Explore Beyond Golf Kastelholm Castle, Åland's only medieval fortress, sits a short walk from the golf club and is open daily from 2nd May to 30th September between 10 am and 5 pm, with entry at approximately £10 (€10/$10) for adults. Within the same grounds, the Jan Karlsgården open-air museum recreates a 1850s Åland farmstead, and the Vita Björn prison museum occupies the islands' former crown jail. In Mariehamn, the Åland Maritime Museum and the tall ship Pommern, moored alongside, make for an absorbing half-day, with hands-on exhibits that work well for visiting families or non-golfing partners. A combined Summer Ticket covers several of Åland's museums and heritage sites for one set price, which is worth considering for a multi-day stay. Outdoors, the islands' free disc golf network and gentle cycling routes give non-golfers, or golfers on a rest day, plenty to do without needing a car for every trip. Archipelago boat trips out of Mariehamn harbour are another popular half-day option through the summer months. Insider Local Knowledge Book any multi-round package by email well ahead of a July or August trip; this is when Slottsbanan's Ladies European Tour reputation draws the most visiting golfers. Pack a wind layer even for a warm-looking forecast; the Baltic breeze reaches both courses and can shift conditions through the round. Stay near Kastelholm rather than Mariehamn if minimising drive time to the course matters more than evening dining options, and vice versa if it does not. The free disc golf courses are spread across the islands and cost nothing to play. Consider tacking on a short Stockholm stay, since the Eckerö Linjen crossing from Grisslehamn takes only around two hours each way. Budget Planning & Travel Value Green fees are the most predictable cost of an Åland trip. A single round at Slottsbanan runs to approximately £95 to £120 (€110 to €140/$120 to $150) depending on season and day of the week, while Kungsbanan sits lower at roughly £60 to £75 (€70 to €90/$75 to $95). A three-round combination package bundling both courses brings the effective per-round cost down noticeably compared with booking individually. Beyond green fees, a buggy for 18 holes costs approximately £45 (€55/$60), and a trolley is a more modest few pounds for the round. Accommodation and ferry costs vary considerably by season and operator, and golfers should confirm current rates directly with hotels and ferry lines when booking, since these move more than golf pricing through the year. For a rough daily total per person, including a single round, a casual lunch, and a mid-range dinner, golfers should budget around £100 to £150 (€115 to €175/$125 to $190) on top of accommodation and travel, with the lower end realistic in the May, June and September shoulder months. Final Thoughts Åland will not suit golfers chasing a packed schedule of different courses, but for anyone drawn to a slower, more atmospheric Baltic golf trip, the combination of Slottsbanan and Kungsbanan around a genuine medieval castle is difficult to match anywhere else in Northern Europe. A short ferry or flight delivers a golf holiday that feels far further from home than the journey actually is.

Top 50 Golf Courses of Finland 2022 This is the second of five Nordic chart updates we’re publishing over the next few weeks. Having recently extended our panel of raters in this region, we now have enough data to warrant the extension of our Finnish chart to a Top 50. Golf didn’t get going in Finland until 1932 when Helsinki Golf Club was founded (and the Finnish Golf Union was only established in 1957) but the sport has grown in popularity ever since, with around 180 courses spread around the country. KPMG’s last Golf Participation Report for Europe (which was issued before covid hit the world) showed Finland ranked at #10 for the total number of registered golfers but if you look at the number of golfers per golf course then the Netherlands is #1, followed by Finland with 1,112 golfers per course – so it could be argued there’s an under provision of courses for the numbers who play the game nationally. The golf season doesn’t last for very long in this country – six months from April to September usually – but during the summer months it’s possible to play until well into the evening as the sun sets late in this part of northern Europe at that time of year. Linna We have a new #1 for Finland, with the 18-hole layout at Linna Golf rising one position from the runner-up spot to take over at the top. Designed by Tim Lobb when he worked with European Golf Design, the course is routed through a pine and birch forest next to Lake Katuma, with water coming into play on several occasions. A member of the European Tour Destinations network, Linna also hosted the European Amateur Championship in 2010 then the European Amateur Team Championship four years later. Ǻlands The Castle course at Ǻlands Golfklubb rises ten places to #2 in our new listings, following a spectacularly successful renovation by Philip Christian Spogárd of Spogárd & VanderVaart. The club operates two 18-hole layouts (the Castle and the King’s), both originally designed by Jan Sederholm, along with a 6-hole course called the Princess. The Castle revamp lasted almost two years, with a number of holes repositioned closer to the sea, greens rebuilt to USGA standard, and bunkers re-edged from Durabunker. Aura The course at Aura Golfclimbs four places to #9, re-entering the national Top 10 for the first time since 2014 (when it was also placed at number 9). Situated within a Nature Park on the island of Ruissalo, outside the city of Turku, the course has been in existence since 1958, when it first opened for play. The layout was upgraded in 1980, subsequently staging the European Amateur Championship in 1994, the European Challenge Tour in 2015 and then the Ladies European Tour in 2021 so it’s more than capable of testing elite amateur players. Pickala The Seaside layout at Pickala Golf rises ten places to #13 and it’s just one of three terrific 18-hole layouts on offer at a fantastic 54-hole golf facility located less than an hour’s drive from Helsinki city centre. The Seaside was the first of the courses to appear here in 1987, followed four years later by the Park, with both tracks designed by Reijo Hillberg. The Forest course was last to arrive in 2004, designed by Jan Sederholm. Don’t let the “Seaside” name fool you though as it’s wooded parkland golf all the way from 1st to the 18th. Kalajoki The course at Kalajoki Golfsoars an incredible twenty places to #18 in our revised Finnish listings. A Pekka Sivula design which debuted in 2002, this par 73 course is set out across a sandy, pinewood forest close to the shoreline on the west coast of the country in the popular tourist destination of Kalajoki Hiekkasärkät. There’s also a short par three course on offer for beginners and for those who’d like to warm up for the main event – and, intriguingly, visitor green fees for the 18-hole course include a golf cart and sauna with towel! Helsinki Moving ten rungs up the ladder to #26, the course at Helsinki Golf Club (or Helsingin Golfklubi to use its proper name) dates back to 1932, making it the oldest golfing layout in the country. With fairways laid out inside the grounds of Tali Manor – which now doubles up as a rather grand clubhouse – the course is a rather splendid parkland track which has hosted a number of prestigious tournaments down the years, and is probably best known for staging six editions the Finnair Masters on the Ladies European Tour between 2006 and 2011. Aulanko There are thirteen new entries in our extended Finnish standings and they’re headed at #15 by the 18-hole Eversti course at Aulanko Golf. The club has existed for over eighty years now, with its original 9-hole Hugo course dating back to 1940, making it one of the oldest golfing grounds in the country. The Eversti is a Lassi Pekka Tilander layout that was unveiled in 2006, hosting the Finnish Amateur Championship in 2012. More recently, the European Senior Golf Association held its Team Championship and Cup for Senior Men here in 2018. To view the complete detailed list of our latest Top 50 Golf Courses of Finland click the link. View list here.