Meland

Meland Golf Club is located to the north of Bergen and its 18 holes are set in a stunning fjord location. Meland is already receiving accolades as one of Europe's best new venues and the course looks good, with a unique setting among forests, lakes and mountains.

Designed by Robert A. Hunt of PGA Management and opened in 1999, the 6,823 yard, par 73 Meland course is laid out on sandy, peaty soil with free draining qualities that ensure it stays open, whatever the wet weather, throughout an April to November playing season. Meland’s 225-acre site in Nordhordaland is still relatively immature but, like all the best things in life, it will obviously improve with age.

The round starts with three stout par fives in the first five holes – indeed, the stroke index of the first three holes is 3, 5 and 1 so no leisurely start here! And, when you arrive at the 8th hole, try to keep your mind on the task in hand as the view from the elevated tee to the fjord in the distance is quite intoxicating.

On the back nine, there’s an interesting short par four at the 11th hole and a monster par five – at over 630 yards – at the 16th. The round ends with a treacherous, 211-yard, par three, played from an elevated tee to an island green protected by bunkers short left and long right. It may have a stroke index of 18 to match its hole number but a three on the scorecard is far from easy at this closing hole.