All Areas

Finland

Linna golf course opened for play in 2005 and it’s routed through a pine and birch forest adjacent to the famous and historic Vanajan Linna Hotel.

Linna was originally nominated as a Gem by Petri and was added to the Top 100 website in May 2008. Since then Linna has become not only a nationally ranked course, but also a track that regularly features in our European Top 100. Petri’s original nomination article follows:

Even if I might be considered biased, Linna Golf is by any national poll regarded as either the No.1 or No.2 ranked course in Finland (Golf Digest Finland, www.golf.fi, Finnish Golf magazine). The course was designed by European Golf Design / Tim Lobb and was completed with highest criteria of design and construction (USGA specifications). It is part of the European Tour Courses group and has already since its inauguration since 2005 been rewarded a Challenge Tour event for 2009, European Amateur Championships in 2010 and the goal is to host a European Tour event shortly after.

The course itself goes through beautiful mature forested land with quite a few water features and has beautiful views to neighbouring Lake Katuma. The holes are designed so that while the back tees provide a stern test to the best of professionals, the club golfers tees provide players with a good chance of avoiding traps and enjoying their round to the fullest. Linna Golf has huge greens that are maintained at highest level – normally the greens are between 10-12 on the Stimpmeter.

Golf legend and five times Open Champion Peter Thomson said of the course when he visited Linna Golf: “I doubt there is a better course in Scandinavia. The terrain is excellent and has been used in the best way possible to create a course with a great variety of holes which will challenge all standards of golfers. In time, I believe Linna Golf will become a national treasure.”

In June 2017, Linna Golf hosted the inaugural European Tour Properties Senior Classic, which Spain's Santiago Luna won by one shot to claim his third European Senior Tour title.

Linna

Continental Europe

Åland Islands

OK, so there are only four courses on the Åland Islands so perhaps you might think that No.1 position is nothing to write home about, but the Castle course is a layout which stands up on its own right and it was rated 4th best course in Finland by Golf Digest in 2001.

You might expect a golf club formed in such a remote location with such a sparse population to be content with building a 9-hole course to meet the golfing needs of the local residents and visitors – not a bit of it at Ålands Golf Club.

Right from the beginning, in 1983, they built not one, but two 18-hole layouts (the King's and the Castle) to satisfy the prodigious golfing appetite of the locals and these courses were designed by architect Jan Sederholm in the shadow of medieval Kastelholm Castle.

The slightly longer of the two 18-hole courses, the Castle is a fine parkland course that measures just under 6,000 metres from the back tees. The par 72 layout is unusually configured with eight par fours, five par fives and five par threes.

The Castle course closed in September 2018 for renovations and re-opened in the summer of 2020. Philip Christian Spogárd of Spogárd & VanderVaart decided that the sea needed to play a more prominent role in the strategy of the layout. The Castle course did not take advantage of its close proximity to the shoreline, so Spogárd has pushed a number of holes right onto the seashore. The new layout is markedly different from the old, though it’s routed along the original hole corridors.

: “All in all, the new Castle course is clearly destined to be a very fine piece of work indeed, one of the best in Scandinavia, perhaps even among the best in Europe… For architect Spogárd and his partner Michiel van der Vaart, already recognised as one of Europe’s most exciting up and coming design teams, it is another triumph. Golfers from around the world should be figuring out how to get to the Ålands, where they’ll see something genuinely new and good.”

The rankings currently displayed for the Castle course are based on the layout prior to renovation; we fully expect the position to improve when we re-rank in 2022.

Ålands (Castle)

Situated on a beautiful peninsula, the Castle course at Ålands Golf Club is the best track on this island archipelago and it's destined for for great things when more people get to see it after reopening following renovations in summer 2020.

Finnish industrialist Yjro Laakkonen knew there was only one person fully equipped to develop his golf project on rugged terrain to the north west of Helsinki. That man was Canadian architect Thomas McBroom, a designer well used to fashioning courses on challenging landscapes like that found in Ontario’s Muskoka region.

McBroom’s experience of routing holes through deep woodland and over rocky outcrops was just what was required to turn such tortuous terrain outside the Finnish capital into championship golf course material and so the South East course came into being in 2003, followed by the North West in 2004.

Already hailed as one of the best Scandinavian golf facilities, the Kytäjä facility, and the North West in particular, can only improve as it matures. Its overall length can be extended to a massive 7,145 yards from the back tees – even the par threes are huge with three of these four “short” holes in excess of 185 yards – so big hitters will flourish if they can keep the ball straight.

The North West (like its older sibling) is maintained to a very high standard and exceptional green keeping during a short playing season (where Kytäjä is open for only half the year, from mid-May to mid-October) ensures putting surfaces are kept in pristine order.

Kytäjä (North West)

Already hailed as one of the best Scandinavian golf facilities, the Kytäjä facility, and the North West in particular, can only improve as it matures.

Kytäjä Golf is located close to the city of Hyvinkää, about a 30-minute drive north from Helsinki. Kytaja is certainly the most ambitious golf project to be undertaken in Finland. With two challenging courses and a third on the drawing board there is some seriously good golf to be played at Kytaja. All the courses at Kytaja are from the portfolio of the Canadian architect, Thomas McBroom and the South East course, which opened in 2003, was his inaugural Scandinavian design.

The South East course is currently considered to be the best layout at Kytäjä and it is set amidst the most delightful Finnish landscape. The front nine plays across undulating ground and through delightful woodland. The back nine plays across flatter terrain with some holes hugging the shore of lake Kytaja where there are breathtaking panoramic views to savour.

Visitors are warmly received at Kytäjä and the experience is thoroughly enjoyable.

Kytäjä (South East)

There is some seriously good golf to be played at Kytäjä but the South East course is the best and it is set amidst the most delightful Finnish landscape...

Golfplan is the name of Ron Fream’s American golf design company and they have been involved in the construction of nearly 100 courses on every continent around the world. They are credited with over a dozen courses in Scandanavia, France and Portugal and one of their first European designs was here at Nordcenter, where the Golf and Country Club sits on the edge of the Gulf of Bothnia, 50 miles west of Helsinki.

Nordcenter boasts two 18-hole championship courses; the Fream, created by Ron Fream in 1987 and the more inland Benz course, built some years later by its designer Brad Benz. Both par 72s, the Benz is a little shorter but it’s a tough cookie that plays tighter than the Fream and is an excellent test of golf in its right.

The Fream’s front nine has some eye-catching holes routed near to the coastline. In particular, the three holes from 6 to 8 are fantastic. The views from the elevated tee of the 6th all the way down to the green on the water’s edge are simply stunning. Holes 7 and 8 have narrow fairways that hug the shore and water inlets threaten the approach to both greens – wonderfully challenging golf at its best!

Overall, trees are fairly unobtrusive – unless you are really wayward – and, apart from holes 7 and 8, water is only in play at three other holes; 12, 14 and 17. A nice design touch, which helps maximize land usage, is the two shared green complexes at holes 2 and 8 and between the 4th and 13th holes. All in all, the Fream is a very classy course which should be played as a 36-hole package along with the Benz.

 “NordCenter occupies a beautiful, demanding and visually superb site. What exists is a result of the time, site geology, budget and Finnish golf construction technology from some 20 years ago.

Finland is blessed with wonderful, natural terrain and locations for golf. Creating golf courses on the Sinai Peninsula or at Tozeur Oasis in Tunisia lacks the natural grandeur of most Finnish golf locations and NordCenter just happens to have one of the finest sites.

It was the eighth course constructed in Finland and Golfplan was the first non-local company to provide design. The site was demanding with rock outcrops, drainage issues, subsiding marine clay and superb trees to protect. I have always loved the natural conditions of the site and the hole layout mostly adapted to the land we had – we did not have very much money so reforming the terrain was limited. Having a few hundred more meters of length, a bit more rock removal, a more aggressive use of the water edge and we could really have an even more majestic championship course but budget considerations must be given full regard.

Remodeling works are now respecting the original design as best as possible while adding some more current strategic playing elements. Over time, soil subsidence, drainage problems, increasing shade from encroaching trees and technological advances are all reasons for the upgrade. Modernizing now is to repair seedbed problems that emerge or evolve over time with normal play. More challenge is in order with putting surfaces. Sixty degree wedges justify deeper bunkers. Modern golf balls might go farther but not always straight and those shots should be penalized hence the repositioning of bunkers. Larger tee areas will accommodate more golfers, diversify play and counter technological advances.

Don’t forget, our 18 holes at Keri Golf, and Paltamo and 36 holes at Oulun, which are other Golfplan courses in Finland that should be on someone’s ‘Golf in the Midnight Sun’ travel schedule.”

Nordcenter (Fream)

Nordcenter (Fream) has some eye-catching holes routed near to the coastline. In particular, the three holes from 6 to 8 are fantastic.

Unlike neighbouring Sweden, golf in Finland took off very late in life. Today there are more than 100 Finnish courses and Ruuhikoski is one from the top drawer.

Robert Trent Jones Jnr designed Ruuhikoski and the course opened for play in 1992. We’re not entirely sure, but we think Kyle Phillips was involved with Ruuhikoski at some point, so if you can throw any light on things we’d love to hear from you.

There is plenty of variation at Ruuhikoski to keep everyone entertained with some holes in open country and others cut through swathes of pines. The course is set in quiet isolation, which simply adds to the charm. There is no doubt that keen golfers will enjoy Ruuhikoski but make sure you come here during the long summer otherwise you will need to bring your skis.

Ruuhikoski

There is plenty of variation at Ruuhikoski to keep everyone entertained with some holes in open country and others cut through swathes of pines.

The North American golf architect Graham Cooke has been involved in the design and restoration of dozens of courses in his native Canada but, apart from a handful of layouts in Italy, his European portfolio has not exactly been overflowing.

That all changed in 2006 with Cooke’s first golfing foray into Finland which saw him complete the exciting new Vierumäki course near Lahti – and that initial project has led to others as he has since become involved in another couple of Finnish projects at St Nicolaus, Inkoo and Tykkimaki, Valkeala-Kourola.

Located on the beautiful Salpausselkä ridge in the south of the country, the Vierumäki golf complex (Cooke, Classic and par-3 Coach courses) is part of a centre of excellence for the Sport Institute of Finland, where the main aim is to develop and market competitive training and education in leisure and physical education.

Set in rolling countryside, the Cooke’s fairways, although tree-lined, are wide and inviting with water involved at only a handful of holes; in particular, those around the lake at the 3rd, 6th and 7th. The short, left doglegged par four 13th measures a mere 277 yards from the back tees but with a pond in play all the way from tee to green, the smart golfer will not try to bite off more than they can chew at this potential card wrecker.

Designing and seeing this course take shape was a very enjoyable process. Southern Finland has a climate very similar to Eastern Canada's, so I felt right at home. Also, I managed to find the club two excellent shapers from Canada who formed a great team with the local operators and myself.

The Vierumäki site offered a balanced mix of open land and mature pine forests. The open land was very quiet in grade, while the forested lands had some attractive, pronounced contours. This mix makes Vierumäki a course of superb contrasts as you walk the course. The open lands showcase deep, rich blue lakes and expressive, steeply-banked sandy waste areas. This area was also designed with flowing, high-banked mounds of tall fescue grasses that helped to isolate the open holes. The forested holes are accented by statuesque, tall, straight pines and fine contour changes.

This course rests very naturally into its setting and each golf hole provides its own snapshot. The fairway areas are rolling, but generous, and the bunkers, lakes and waste areas help the golfer direct his or her shots. The risk-reward opportunities on a few short par-fours beckon the long hitters to cut across water and sand.

I believe this course gains its appeal by bringing many images and options into the player's sight. A bold, attractive course with large, gently rolling greens, numerous tee decks and challenge for all makes every round different and memorable.

The very knowledgeable and passionate client group wanted a course that would appeal to all of their resort guests. However, they also wanted a course that could hold its own on a world stage. Vierumäki provides a quality golfing experience in a mystical setting.

Vierumaki (Cooke)

Located on the beautiful Salpausselkä ridge in the south of the country, the Vierumäki golf complex is part of a centre of excellence for the Sport Institute of Finland...

The Forest course is one of three 18-hole courses at the Pickala golf complex, situated around 30 miles south west of Helsinki.

Reijo Hillberg fashioned the other two courses at Pickala (Seaside and Park) in 1987 and 1991 with the Forest arriving on the scene in 2004, from the drawing board of the prolific Swedish designer, Jan Sederholm.

The Forest layout measures 6,769 yards from the back tees and it’s routed in a giant clockwise loop around the perimeter of the golf resort; each nine configured as two par three and par five holes and five par fours.

Although the course is not too hilly, trees, ponds and well-placed bunkers will all take their toll on good scoring here. The par four 2nd and par five 7th holes make good use of water on the front nine whilst a run of four doglegs from holes 12 to 15 gives golfers plenty to think about on the inward half.

Pickala (Forest)

The Forest layout measures 6,769 yards from the back tees and it’s routed in a giant clockwise loop around the perimeter of the Pickala golf complex...

Turku is situated at the mouth of the Aura River, in the southwest of Finland and the Aura golf course is laid out within a Nature Park to the west of the city, on the island of Ruissalo.

This sparsely populated island is the location of one of the biggest oak forests in the country and it’s an ideal place for those wanting to escape from the metropolis and get back to nature through a spot of fishing, walking the many nature trails and, of course, golfing at the Aura club.

The course opened in 1958 within a former castle estate and magnificent oak trees frame most of the holes. Pekka Sivula upgraded the layout in 1980 so Aura has been playing the part of a great golfing retreat for over half a century.

The round begins with a par three of almost 200 yards and there two more even longer “short” holes to be played on the front nine. The back nine contains a couple of shortish par threes and these are located either side of back-to-back par fives at holes 13 and 14.

The golf season is very short, from May to mid October but be careful not to plan a visit when the Ruisrock summer rock festival is being held on the island – started in 1970, it’s the second oldest in Europe – otherwise a nice, quiet, peaceful round at Aura will be totally out of the question!

Aura

Aura golf course opened in 1958 within a former castle estate and magnificent oak trees frame most of the holes.

Situated by beautiful Lake Syväri, beside the Tahkovuori leisure center in Nilsiä, the Jan Sederholm-designed Old course at Tahko Golf Club is widely acknowledged as one of the most scenic in the country.

Outdoor sporting pursuits are second nature to Finns in this area and golf competes for the attention of participants in the summer months against the likes of horse riding, fishing, hiking, and mountain biking. Such is the popularity of golf, however, a second 18-hole course was inaugurated at Tahko in 2008.

The Old course measures almost 6,700 yards from the back tees and the front nine holes are carved out of trees, over variable terrain, a little way in from the lake, with only the par three 7th hole perched right on the water’s edge. The back nine gently rises and falls in much the same way as the outward half, only this time, the lakeside pleasure is trebled with three holes between the par three 12th and par four 14th set right on the shore.

Tahko (Old)

Situated by beautiful Lake Syväri, the Jan Sederholm-designed Old course at Tahko Golf Club is widely acknowledged as one of the most scenic in the country.

Members at Viipurin Golf Club play their golf at two locations. Their main 18-hole Etelä-Saimaa course can be found on the small island of Tuosa, some fifteen minutes northeast of Lappeenranta. This course, which first opened for play in 2007, is the latest in a long line of golfing layouts that have served several generations of golfers since the inception of the club.

The club has its origins in Viipuri, located twenty-five kilometres to the south, which since 1944 is on the Russian side of the border. Viipurin Golf Club’s first post-war course in Lappeenranta is today the town’s airport, but the 1960s 9-hole kayout at Kahainniemi in the eastern part of town survives.

The club’s main 18-hole island course, Etäla-Saimaa, was fashioned by Sweden’s Peter Fjällman of Fjällman Golf Design, who routed the layout through the pines and spruces to create a dramatic layout that’s almost completely surrounded by Lake Saimaa and its tributaries.


Viipurin (Etelä-Saimaa)

Members at Viipurin Golf Club play their golf at the 18-hole Etelä-Saimaa course on the small island of Tuosa, some fifteen minutes from Lappeenranta.

Nordcenter Golf & Country Club is a contemporary 36-hole complex which is located close to Pohja, an hour’s drive to the northeast of Helsinki.

The two courses at Nordcenter Golf Club, which was founded in 1988, are named after their respective American architects, Ronald Fream and Bradford Benz. The Fream layout is the elder course which is rather open and hilly but the newer course, fashioned by Californian Bradford Benz is the better of the two layouts.

The Benz layout is routed around six lakes which come into play on ten holes. The course tempts the big hitters to open their shoulders with wide, expansive fairways, fringed here and there by stands of trees.

Nordcenter is a really friendly club that warmly welcomes visitors so if you are looking for great golf and a Finnish treat in the wonderful club restaurant, look no further than Nordcenter Golf & Country Club.

Nordcenter (Benz)

The Nordcenter Benz layout is routed around six lakes which come into play on ten holes and the course tempts the big hitters to open their shoulders...

The three 18-hole courses at Pickala Golf Club are part of the Pickala Village holiday resort golf facility which also includes a partly covered range, putting and pitching greens, short game area and practice course.

The Seaside and Park courses were constructed in 1987 and 1991 by Reijo Hillberg and the Forest course (routed around the perimeter of the forested, hilly property) completed the 54-hole set up when it was built by Jan Sederholm in 2004.

Don’t be fooled by the Seaside name, as most of its holes are parkland in nature, positioned alongside many of the Park holes. In fact, only the back nine of the Seaside are routed anywhere near the coastline – and only the 13th and 14th are actually close to the water’s edge!

The toughest hole on the card is the 527-yard 16th where ponds either side of the fairway landing area threaten the tee shot. The hole then doglegs right with out of bounds down that side to catch pushed approach shots. Surprisingly, the final hole is a short par three measuring only 151 yards, with water and a large bunker to the left and two further bunkers on the right side of the green.

Pickala (Seaside)

We don’t know very much about Paltamo Golf but we do know someone who does; that person is none other than architect Ron Fream, who oversaw the construction of the course, so we asked him to tell us a little about the project. Here’s what Ron had to say:

“Summer in Paltamo is very comfortable. The Arctic Circle is 230 km to the north, the midday temperature is around18 to 20 degrees centigrade and there’s sunlight for almost 24 hours a day.

Before the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1990, I was part of the Golfplan team that provided design and construction supervision for this dramatic course. We were even trying to get approval to do a sister course to the east, just across the Soviet border at Kostamus, but to no avail.

Paltimo is a small tourist town of about 4,000 residents that sits along the meandering north shore of Oulujarvi, (Lake Oulu), a body of water measuring 358 square miles that is much larger than the entire country of Singapore.

The site offered grand exposure to lakeshore, marshy areas, fine stands of white birch trees and, more inland, tall fir trees. Nearly a flat site originally, we moved a considerable amount of earth to add vertical dimension, but great respect was directed to optimizing the natural environment.

With ample space we created large rambling greens that were well defended with aggressive bunkering. The combination of huge water views, majestic shiny birch and towering fir trees, along with inland streams and lakes, presents a memorable challenge. There is no background noise, though a number of golf cottages, some for rent, are dotted unobtrusively along the course with lake and golf views.

Hole ten is probably my favourite; a par five measuring 532 metres with a back tee located out into the lake, connected by trail and bridge. The tee shot, requiring a full water carry of more than 200 metres, is still an intimidating one, even after the onslaught of Pro V1 technology.

Oulu, population 192,000, is the nearest large city in the north of Finland and could be a point of arrival as air service is more frequent nowadays. There’s also some very good golf to be played at Oulu Golf Club, the most northerly 36 holes golf facility in the world. A circuit from Helsinki to test both locations would be a memorable excursion. The golfing season begins in April and ends in mid-October. Best of all, play can start at any time, day or night, during the midnight sun summer!”

Paltamo

Set on the shore of Lake Oulu, Paltamo is a Ron Fream and David Dale of Golfplan layout. The par five 10th is Ron Fream’s favourite hole where the back tee is located out into the lake, connected by trail and bridge.

Situated a 90-minute drive north of Helsinki, next to Lake Hattulanselkä, the 27 holes at Aulanko lie within a beautiful landscape park established by Colonel Hugo Standertskjöld in the 1880s. Over a period of thirty years, workmen constructed lakes, lookout terraces and pavilions on the property, as well as planting a multitude of exotic trees, flowers and bushes.

The local town of Hämeenlinna acquired the area in 1926 and in 1940 the 9-hole Hugo course was brought into play. Today, it’s the oldest course in Finland retaining its original routing. The 18-hole Eversti layout was developed at the start of the new millennium, designed by Lassi Pekka Tilander, with the holes now appearing as old as those on the Hugo.

Stretching to 6,305 metres from the back markers, the Eversti is laid out as two returning nines, the second of which is configured as three par threes, three par fours and three par fives. Feature holes include the short par four 7th (where a pond protects the front of the green) and the tough 435-metre 17th, which has another intimidating water hazard lurking to the front right of the green.

Aulanko (Eversti)

The 18-hole Everski course at Aulanko Golf is a Lassi Pekka Tilander layout that debuted in 2006. It’s complemented by the 9-hole Hugo course which dates back to 1940, making it one of the oldest golfing layouts in the country.

Located a mere 30-minute drive from Jyväskylä city centre, the course at Laukaan Peurunkagolf lies in the scenic Lake Landscape of Laukaa between the Iso Peurunka and Pikku Peurunka lakes. It’s a late 1980s design from American architect Ron Fream which is complemented by a driving range, short game area and a compact, 3-hole par three course.

The course extends to 6,100 metres from the back tees, arranged as two returning nines, each of which starts with an inviting par five. Water comes into play on several occasions on the back nine, most prominently at the very short par three 16th which plays across an inlet on Pikku Peurunka to a small, bunkerless island green.

Other holes of note include left doglegging short par fours at the 4th and 6th, with the waters of Iso Peurunka flanking the left side of the fairway on the second of these holes. On the back nine, the par five 14th is rated the toughest hole on the card, with out of bounds all the way down the left and a pond to the front right of the green.

Laukaan Peurunkagolf

Designed by Ron Fream in the late 1980s, the course at Laukaan Peurunkagolf is probably best known for its very short par three 16th hole which features an iconic island green.

Drive an hour north of Turku and you’ll reach the Alastaro Circuit, where a number of European Truck Racing Championships were held during the 1990s and early 2000s. Nowadays, it’s better known for hosting events in the European Drag Racing Championship. Immediately west of the 2.72-kilometre race track lies the 18-hole layout at Alastaro Golf which opened in 2006.

It’s a long course, measuring 6,685 metres from the back markers, with holes arranged as two returning nines. Playing corridors were literally hewn from the forested landscape, with golfers playing in splendid isolation at almost every hole during the round. Water only comes into play at two holes – the par four 10th and par five 18th – which are separated by a couple of big lakes.

Feature holes include the slightly right doglegged 3rd (the longest par five on the card) playing into the southernmost part of the property; the par three 12th (where the fairway opens out a bit near to the clubhouse); and the long closing hole (with trees all the way down the right) which snakes around a couple of large water obstacles on the left as it heads to the home green.

Alastaro

Opened for play in 2006, the 18-hole layout at Alastaro Golf is one of the longest in the country, stretching to almost 6,700 metres from the back tees, with two large water hazards in play between the 10th and 18th holes.

The small town of Kalajoki lies on the west coast of Finland, overlooking the Gulf of Bothnia, and you’ll find the Kalajoki Golf facility just a 10-minute drive away, where Pekka Sivula routed the fairways across sandy, densely forested terrain close to the coastline. There’s also a driving range, pitching and putting greens and a 9-hole short course for beginners.

Extending to 6,229 metres from the back tees, the course plays to a par of 73 (36 out then 37 in) with only three par threes on the scorecard at holes 3, 10 and 16. Bunkers are modest in number, there are no water hazards in play, and the landscape is fairly level so it’s an easy walk for most golfers.

Feature holes include tough par fours at the 6th and 12th (the first bearing slightly left to the green and the second bending right off the tee); the last (and longest) of the par threes at the 165-metre 16th; and the closing par five 18th which snakes right then left to the home green.

Visiting golfers should note their modest green fee includes “golf cart and sauna with towel” so make the most of the amenities on offer!

Kalajoki

Located close enough to Finland’s west coast to enjoy occasional sea glimpses, the course at Kalajoki Golf is a par 73 layout that was routed across sandy, pine-laden terrain by architect Pekka Sivula in 2002.

Golf has been played in the seaside town of Oulu, on the western coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, since 1964, when the grassy airfield of Oritkari doubled up as a rudimentary 9-hole course. Four years later, the club moved to Kaukovainio, where members played on a 12-hole course (later reduced to a more manageable 9-hole layout).

As the numbers of club golfers grew, the club decided to move to Sankivaara, engaging American designer Ron Fream’s Golfplan Company to lay out a 27-hole complex and this opened for play in 1992. A further nine holes were added in 2005, creating the Sanki and Vaara 18-hole courses.

Described by Jari Rasinkangas, a member for 30 years, “the Sanki course is laid out in the beautiful surroundings of Sanginjoki River and the layout flows naturally through pine forests and hilly moors, alongside riverbeds and ponds, making the round a pleasurable experience close to nature.”

An annual 36-hole Midnight Sun tournament is held every summer (the Oulu course is only 125 miles from the Arctic Circle) starting around 4.00pm with prize giving not taking place until after 4.00am the following morning!

"The northernmost 36 holes of golf, near the Arctic Circle. Golf at Oulu is an enthusiastic, eager local activity and in midsummer, golf is played almost 24 hours a day over 36 dramatic, natural holes. It is a tribute to the entire Oulu community that most of this play is by the locals due to the remoteness of the location, though tourists are always welcome.

Oulu provides two complementary 18’s, each for average players, seniors, youths and competition play. Nature as untouched forest vegetation encircles most holes and best of all, there is no intruding housing, roads or other signs of civilization

The surroundings are often pine woods, some fir trees, clusters of birch along the river edge and snow berry underfoot. Rock outcrops, the remains of ancient glacial action, are present on some holes because we tried to incorporate these “marvels” and more irregular granite blocks into play.

Early season - late April, May - play can at times be a challenge depending upon the winter Gulf of Bothnia actions. Some years see less snow and little ice. Other years an ice sheet can emerge in late winter that damages the turf. Autumn play is grand with birch in their golden hues and the bright purple berries on the ground."


Oulun (Sanki)

Ron Fream laid out 27 holes at Oulun and they opened for play in 1992. A further nine holes were added in 2005, creating the Sanki and Vaara 18-hole courses.

Twenty kilometres north of the university town of Joensuu sits the Karelia Golf 18-hole golf course, laid out across a little peninsula that juts into Lake Höytiäinen. With fairways carved from a densely forested landscape, the playing corridors are narrow, putting a premium on accuracy off the tee and with the approach shot to the green.

Measuring 6,200 metres from the rear tees, the course plays to a par of 72 (36 out then 36 in) with holes arranged as two returning nines. The outward half is set to the south of the clubhouse with the inward half occupying ground closer to the lake, where the green for the 13th hole lies closest to the shoreline.

Notable holes include back-to-back par fives at the 4th and 5th (running in parallel in opposite directions); the shortest of the par threes at the 11th (where a long bunker in front of the shallow green forces a tee shot carry to the green); and the long, right doglegged par four 18th which plays to a home green guarded by a single bunker.

Karelia

Set within a densely wooded landscape, the parkland course at Karelia Golf was fashioned by Kosti Kuronen in the late 1980s. Golfers with an aversion to water hazards will be delighted to learn there are none in play here.

The Lakeside Golf facility in western Finland boasts 36 holes comprising of two contrasting 18-hole layouts, the best of which is the new course, named Pirunpelto, Devil’s Field. That’s not to say the older Järvenranta course should be easily dismisssed as it’s a fine 18-hole layout with the front nine holes set around the shores of Lake Riippilänjärvi.

Opened in 2005, Pirunpelto was carved through the dense woodland that lies immediately to the west of the club’s original lakeside location. Apart from the more open closing holes on both the returning front and back nines, the fairways are tree-lined, with the small Sorvijärvi forest lake coming into play on the right side of the 12th, 14th and 16th.

Highlight holes include the short par four 5th (where an exposed rock formation cuts across the fairway in front of the green); the tough par four 11th (which narrows considerably as the fairway approaches the bunkerless green); and the final par five on the scorecard at the 496-metre 16th, with the very tight fairway swinging right past a small lake to the green.

Lakeside (Pirunpelto)

The Lakeside Golf facility in western Finland boasts 36 holes comprising of two contrasting 18-hole layouts, the best of which is the new course, named Pirunpelto, Devil’s Field.

Nokia River Golf lies on the south shore of Lake Kulovesi, close to the city of Tampere and the Rock course is a 2016 redesign of an older layout by Lassi Pekka Tilander, comprising eleven new holes and seven existing holes.

Extending to 6,340 metres from the back tees, the Rock course plays to a par of 72, with holes arranged as two returning nines. Water comes into play around a couple of lakes on both the outward half (at the 5th and 6th) and inward half (at the 11th and 12th) and there’s further aquatic challenge to contend with when playing the tough par four 17th.

Highlight holes include the longest of the par threes at the 215-metre 8th (where a huge bunker guards the front right of the green); the stroke index 1 par four 13th (with out of bounds along the tree-fringed right of the fairway); and the par four 18th, which might yield a birdie if the long bunker to the front left of the triangle-shaped home green can be avoided.

Nokia River (Rock)

Laid out within a 135-acre property near the city of Espoo and opened for business in 2013, the course at Tapiola Golf is a transatlantic co-design by the American architect Tim Nugent and his Swedish counterpart Jan Sederholm.

Stretching to 6,115 metres from the back markers, the course occupies what was once the Mankka land fill site so there are no water features in play, with the only irrigation pond positioned discreetly next to the maintenance buildings in the southeast section of the property.

The club promotes firm and fast playing conditions by limiting the use of water to soften the fairways and greens and the inland links characteristics of the course are accentuated by the large number of sand bunkers, with trees only featuring around the perimeter of the layout.

Highlight holes include the shortest par three on the card at the 144-metre 2nd (which plays to an offset 2-tiered green with a huge bunker protecting the front right of the putting surface) and the 365-metre 18th, where the home green is surrounded by sand traps on all sides.

Tapiola

Set out close to the sparkling waters of Lake Syväri, next to the Petäjälampi Golden Resort in Nilsiä, the New course was the second Jan Sederholm-designed course to be unveiled at Takho Golf Club when it debuted in 2008.

Opening eight years after the nearby Old course, the New is routed across similar wooded terrain to that of its older sibling, with water hazards featuring at several holes, most notably on the back nine.

The 410-metre 18th is regarded as the signature hole on the card. Doglegging right towards the clubhouse, the hole is flanked by water on either side of the fairway, giving golfers plenty to think about as they head towards the home green.

Tahko (New)

Set out close to the sparkling waters of Lake Syväri, the New course was the second Jan Sederholm-designed course to be unveiled at Takho Golf Club when it debuted in 2008.

St Laurence Golf in Lohja opened in 1990 and it’s located less than an hour’s drive from Helsinki within the estate of the old Gunnarla Mansion. The club has two championship 18-hole courses at their disposal, the Kalkki-Petteri (“Old course”) and Pyhä Lauri (“New course”) as well as a 6-hole par three practice facility.

St Laurence was delighted to host a European Challenge Tour event over a composite course in June 2008 when former World Boys Amateur Champion Simon Robinson from Hartlepool, England won the SK Golf Challenge by six strokes.

Designed by Finnish course architect Kosti Kuronen, the original course opened for play in 1990, before an additional 18 holes were added in 2002. The New or Pyhä Lauri course layout is relatively flat and exposed to the wind, with the a routing that brings a number of ponds into play, especially on the back nine where five of theses holes have greens protected by water.

St Laurence (Pyhä Lauri)

St Laurence has two championship 18-hole courses at their disposal, the Kalkki-Petteri (“Old course”) and Pyhä Lauri (“New course”) as well as a 6-hole par three practice facility.

Helsinki is a city with a fine modern sporting tradition, hosting the World Athletics Championships in 1983 and 2005, as well as the summer Olympics back in 1952. The capital’s golfing pedigree goes back even further, to 1932 in fact, when Helsinki Golf Club became the first to open a course in all of Finland.

Set out within the grounds of Tali Manor, the course is routed over very pleasant parkland that surrounds the 19th century manor house turned latter day clubhouse. Owned by the city fathers, the course is a treasured green sporting oasis on the northwestern edge of Helsinki.

Fairways are largely flat and framed by mature trees whilst water, in the form of a stream, comes into play at three holes (to great effect at the par four, 14th in front of the green). And just when you think the round is coming to a quiet end, holes 17 and 18 are rated as stroke index 1 and two on the scorecard so gird your golfing loins at the 16th!

Tali, is it’s known locally, has held many national amateur and professional events over the years and, in more recent times, it was the venue for the Finnair Masters event on the Ladies European Tour.

Helsinki

Helsinki Golf Club was Finland’s first golf course and it’s set within the grounds of Tali Manor and is routed over very pleasant parkland…

Located close to the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia, on the Baltic Sea, the fairways at Virpiniemi Golf fairways were set out by prolific Swedish architect Jan Sederholm, with the course first opening for play in 2006.

The layout comprises two distinct circuits, each of which returns to the clubhouse: the front nine holes play through a heavily wooded section (known as "Harju," the Ridge) then the “Meri” (or Sea) nine is routed to and from the coastline.

The par five 3rd is a highlight hole on the inland nine, its fairway splitting either side of a couple of lakes to offer golfers a variety of approach options. On the seaside nine, the short par four 11th is another memorable hole, doglegging left at an angle of 90 degrees between tee and green.

Star billing at Virpiniemi Golf is reserved for the very short par three 15th, played from a little peninsula to a tiny green across a small inlet. It hardly needs to be written but golf holes don’t come much more heroic than this little beauty!

The course hosted the Finnish Open, now a PDGA EuroTour event, in 2013.

Virpiniemi

Located close to the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia, on the Baltic Sea, the fairways at Virpiniemi Golf fairways were set out by prolific Swedish architect Jan Sederholm...

Unveiled in 2007, the course at Hirsala is a David Jones design that lies a half an hour’s drive to the west of Helsinki. Such is the regard it’s held in by the national golf authority, it was chosen to host the Finnish Open four years after it first opened for play.

Architect David Jones commented exclusively as follows:

“Maybe the toughest site I’ve ever worked on, but one of the most rewarding. I went for a totally natural heathland sort of look, blowing up all the big rocky outcrops and digging out the swamps when they were frozen solid in Finland’s icy winters. I kept all the protected areas intact and wove the course into the woods.

The toughest hole at Hirsala is probably the 17th. It requires the tight tee shot to be accurately placed between three huge aspens on the left and the lake on the right. The second shot is then a longish iron or hybrid to a green with a stream on the left and the lake still lurking on the right. The biggest hitters can try to drive across the corner but disaster lurks for those who fail… the swamp!

The signature hole on the course is definitely the 18th. There’s lovely Hirsala forest on either side of the fairway, up to the brow of the hill, then the tee shot is followed by a mid-iron second to a multi-level green. Look out for the subtle run-off into the lake on the left, with beautiful trees all the way along on the right… very characteristic of the site.”

Hirsala

The course at Hirsala Golf Club is a 2007 David Jones design that lies a half an hour’s drive to the west of Helsinki. It was chosen by the national golf authority to host the Finnish Open four years after it first opened for play.

Designed by Henrik Wartiainen and originally opened in 1990 as a 27-hole golfing complex, Golf Talma has since been extended to its present 45-hole set up, with the Laakso layout considered the better of the two 18-hole courses here.

Extending to around 6,000 metres from the back markers, the Laakso course is arranged as two returning nines, with water coming into play to some extent at half the holes. Ponds lie close to the front of the green at the 5th and 15th short holes and similar aquatic threats complicate the tee shot at both the par five 3rd and par four 16th.

Notable holes include the slightly right doglegging 495-metre 7th (where the green lies at an offset angle to the line of approach and a big bunker eats into the fairway in front of the green), along with the 475-metre 18th which crosses a dammed creek before rising and narrowing towards the home green in front of the clubhouse.

Talma (Laakso)

Levi is situated in the heart of Lapland – at a latitude of 67.8° north, around 110 miles north of the Arctic circle – and it’s the largest ski resort in Finland, with more than forty ski slopes and a couple of dozen ski lifts in operation. Many forms of skiing take place here including downhill, telemark and cross-country.

The resort’s location normally guarantees good snow cover throughout the winter and it’s also a great place to witness the Northern Lights. For the more intrepid, there’s an Ice Hotel and Ice Gallery to visit in nearby Luvattumaa whilst the Snow Village at Lainiotie (30 miles to the south) offers a unique sort of fine dining in its ice restaurant.

Levi Golf is in operation throughout the summer, during the skiing close season, and the golf course was laid out in two halves by Pekka Sivula, with the first nine opening in 2006 and the second nine following three years later. Architects Mackenzie & Ebert were involved in some upgrade work during 2015, installing a new green at the 1st hole.

Levi

Located in the heart of Lapland, Levi Golf was laid out in two halves by Pekka Sivula (who also renovated the course at Aura in 1980), the first nine opened in 2006 and by 2009 18 holes were in play for the members.

The Mikko Autio-designed course at Jarviseuden Golfseuran is as unconventional as they come, with a par 39 front nine then a paddle ferry ride required to play the par 33 back nine on a promontory of Lake Piihamina.

Järviseudun

The Åland Islands lies in the Gulf of Bothnia, between Stockholm in Sweden and Turku in Finland. The islands in the archipelago comprise the smallest region of Finland where around 30,000 people choose Swedish as their preferred language.

The Ålands Golf Club was founded in 1983 and right from the outset there were two Jan Serderholm-designed 18-hole layouts in operation here; the 

 (“Slottsbanan”) and King’s course (“Kungsbanan”). There’s also a short 6-hole course called the Princess.

The fairways of the Castle course are laid out adjacent to Slottsundet Bay, whilst the shorter King’s course lies further inland, occupying hillier, more densely forested terrain that’s been used to fashion an intoxicating mix of tree-lined and more open holes.

The King’s course begins rather unconventionally with par threes at the 1st and 3rd. Back-to-back par fives follow around the turn at the 9th and 10th before the round ends with a really tight par four which doglegs sharply left to a tricky two-tiered home green.

Ålands (King's)

The fairways of the Castle course at Ålands Golf Club are laid out adjacent to Slottsundet Bay, whilst the shorter King’s course lies further inland, occupying hillier, more densely forested terrain...

Åke Personin designed the 18-hole Kartano golf course and it’s a tale of two halves with a fairly flat and open front side leading to a heavily wooded back nine that features interesting elevation changes.