A Golfer’s Dream: The Unique Golf Course in the Westman Islands
If you’re a keen golfer then chances are you’ll have played a few holes while on vacation. Golf’s an extremely popular sport in Iceland, with courses all over the country, but Heimaey is home to one of the best. Approximately 10% of the population of the Westman Islands are members of the island’s golf club, which gives you an idea of the level of enthusiasm you can expect. In this blog, we’ll take a look at this unique course in the Westman Islands and find out why it is a golfer’s dream to play here.
What’s special about the Heimaey golf course?
This 18-hole course is considered pretty special by Icelandic standards. Located in the striking Herjólfsdalur valley, it is surrounded by mountains. But look closely: those steep-sided walls of rock are actually the inside of an old volcano – and that’s not something you encounter every day.
At just 5.4km in length, it’s not long by any standards, but like many in Iceland, it follows the contours of the landscape. Nature too plays a key role: the often strong winds that impact this part of the country make this an interesting and sometimes challenging course. The Atlantic Ocean steps up as a water hazard on the 17th hole. As you can see, it’s not your ordinary course, but that’s a major part of its appeal.
A historic course
At first, this course had just six holes. The original three holes on the Herjólfsdalur course are still used today, and it holds the distinction of being one of the oldest courses anywhere in Iceland. Later, the course was expanded; if you’d have played here in the early 1960s there’d have been nine holes.
Then in 1973, an unexpected volcanic eruption interrupted play – and a lot more besides golf. Ash carpeted the greens, just one aspect of the remarkable changes to the landscape caused by the eruption. Fortunately, the island’s residents were able to be evacuated safely on the night of the eruption and could later return.
At first, Heimaey’s golfers had to make do with a temporary course but eventually 9 holes were restored and later it was expanded to the full 18 holes that you can play today. Now, part of the course is right on the coast and so it’s often the case that players will see birds flying overhead as they prepare to take their swing. The ocean views can also be a real distraction.
Practical tips if you’re hoping to play golf while you’re visiting the Westman Islands
The golf course in the Westman Islands welcomes visiting golfers and happily, it’s possible to play a round without needing to be a member of a club. Golf carts and clubs can be rented from the clubhouse, so there’s no need to pay for extra luggage during your flight to and from Iceland or cart it around with you while you’re travelling here.
To play the full 18 holes, a par 70 course, costs a reasonable 10000 ISK per person according to the Golf Iceland website. It’s possible to play golf here in the Westman Islands all year round. However there’s something extraordinary in doing so in summer when the sun doesn’t set until very late in the evening.
You may wish to time your visit to coincide with the Volcano Open Golf Championships which attracts players from overseas. This spectacular course has also played host to the Icelandic National Championship and a Scandinavian championship for amateurs. Whether you plan to be a spectator, indulge your favourite hobby or perhaps even both, we’d recommend that you make sure you stay on Heimaey long enough to investigate this extraordinary course.
