Viking Golf: Tour Norway For Some Thunder

This is the land of Fjords, Viking Expeditions, extremely complicated mythology and religions that predate Christianity. Associated with the all powerful Norse Gods like Odin and Thor this is the land first peopled as early as the tenth millennium BC Welcome to Norway, home of the northernmost golf courses in the world. Even though Norway has just a little less than two dozen top quality courses, one golf tour would still not be enough to catch them all.

A country steeped in history and some breathtaking geography, Norway boasts of a rich cultural heritage and a very progressive, contemporary outlook to life. These are two chief reasons for a very healthy tourism industry in Norway, add to that the captivating natural landscape and you have tourists lining up at the numerous ski resorts. But the very features that attract wintertime tourists to Norway create a wonderful demesne for golf in the summer months.

Norway boasts several stylish, challenging and world class courses that any golf holiday maker would want to try. Even though Norway doesnt figure very high on the golf travel circuit, some of the following courses have their own loyal patrons enthusiasts who plan golf packages specifically to Norway. No surprises here but a lot of golf tours start at the Tromso Golf Park at Breivikeidet near Tromso. Play it proudly to claim youve teed off on the worlds northern-most 18-hole course. Apart from the pressure of the weather and the expectation to do well at a unique course, Tromso is also a tough course that needs concentration and skill. Be prepared to spend at least a day at this NOK 350 a day course for the surrounding view of the Lyngen Alps is compelling and needs to be soaked in completely.

Another big favorite on most golf packages is the Trondheim GolfKlubb, a 9-hole golf course located 3 km outside the city centre of Trondheim, Norway. The golf club was established on October 27th 1950, and has 1100 members. The club house and offices are situated in an old, well-maintained farm called Sommerseter. Players should not be fooled by its relatively short length (5523 meters from the yellow tee), as its location, clinging to the northern slopes of Byåsen seldom leaves you in position of a well-balanced stroke. Small greens and heavy pine wood surrounding the course further complicates matters.

Finally, if you want a memorable Norwegian golf vacation dont miss out on the Borre Golfbane, a relatively new course opened in 1990. Over the years it has expanded into enough yardage to be able to host two Challenge Tour events Karsten Ping Norwegian Challenge in 94 and the Netcom Norwegian Open in 98. Set along the Lake Borrevannet, this parkland style course is actually two courses the 18-hole New Borre and the 9-hole Old Back Nine. New Borre is par 72 and 6851 yards whereas the Old Back Nine is par 36 and 3200 yards. A pleasure to tee off at, if you consider sweating over your very first stroke pleasurable, the Borre Golfbane makes for a memorable golf holiday experience.

If you are still standing and can give more time to your Norwegian golf vacation, try out other courses like: Hammerfest and Kvalsund golf club the worlds second most northerly course in Repparfjord, Jan Sederholm designed Larvik Golf Club and the Oslo Golf Club in Bogstad, 8 miles north west of Oslo.