Samsø

The island of Samsø in the sea area of Kattegat lies 9 miles off the Jutland peninsula and ferries serve it from Kalundborg and Hov on the Danish mainland. For those who make the journey to play the island’s golf course, the trip is well worth the time and effort to play such a delightful seaside layout.

Architect Henrik Jacobsen set out the 18-hole course at Samso Golf Club in the north east corner of the island back in 1992 (he created another island course at Laesø Seaside with Lars Andreasson three years later) and it measures a modest 6,176 yards from the back tees – bear in mind that it will feel a lot longer in the freshening, ever-present sea breeze.

Preceding a pair of par fives at the turn, the par three 8th hole, with its green framed by the sea, is regarded as the signature hole at Samsø. Only one of the ten par fours on the card plays anywhere near 400 yards and it craftily kicks in near the end of the round at the 17th, just when golfers might be thinking of that nice relaxing refreshment in the clubhouse!