Golf in the capital
Sweden has around 480 golf courses with at least 50 of these
(which is more than most cities in the world) within an hour’s drive
of Stockholm. What’s more, the courses are of a consistently high
quality with good value green fees compared to much of Europe.
Average green fees are between: SEK 300- 450 (approximately £25 £35)
Travelling to the golf courses is all part of the Scandinavian golf
experience and it doesn’t take you long to leave the capital behind
and enter the countryside, where Swedish homes with their
distinctive yellow, musk and red facades contrast vividly against
the ubiquitous conifer and birch woodlands, farmland and rocky
outcrops.
A nice bonus is that traffic is thin on the ground (especially outside
of peak working hours), and road directions and golf courses are well
signposted with typical Swedish efficiency. Three tips - pack your
handicap card if you have one, book tee times in advance and allow
plenty of time to get to the course.
Adding to the appeal of a Swedish golf trip is beautiful Stockholm
itself. In recent years, “The city that floats on water” has become one
of Europe’s liveliest and most varied cities for nightlife, eating and
drinking with plenty of classic restaurants, cool bars and groovy cafés.
WHERE TO PLAY (10 of the Best Courses)
Ullna Golf Club: One of the top-rated courses in the Stockholm area,
Ullna is situated by the side of beautiful Lake Ullnasjon, with water
coming into play in some form on just about every hole. A standout
hole is the par-3 third played to a green surrounded by water.
www.ullnagolf.se
Haninge Golf Klubb: A highly-regarded course among Stockholm’s
golfers, Haninge has a panoramic setting with the 15th century castle Årsta Slott, an imposing clubhouse where you can enjoy an exclusive
lunch or dinner. The first 18-holes are a combination of parkland and
forest while the last 9-holes are pure parkland. www.haningegk.se
Täby Golf Klubb: Top-quality woodland/lakeside layout and home
course of Jesper Parnevik (club champion in 1982). Picturesque Lake
Vallentunasjon is a constant companion on the back nine, with holes
14 to 17 playing right alongside the lake. www.tabygk.se
Kallfors Golf Club: Open woodland layout with large undulating
greens. To score well here, you need to carefully negotiate the early
Amen Corner through holes 4, 5, 6 (index 5,1 and 3). www.kallfors.com
Botkyrka Golfklubb: A course with a woodland character that typifies
the good quality/value (approx 400 SEK for 18 holes) that’s available a
short drive from Stockholm. www.botkyrkagk.se
Bro Hof Slott Golf Club: From the moment you drive through the
gates of Bro Hof Slott (about a 40-minute drive from Stockholm) and
glimpse the white hilltop castle, manicured fairways and glistening
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