Best Golf Courses in Iceland | Golf World Top 100

Brautarholt is one of the best golf courses in Iceland.

The best golf courses in Iceland feature jaw-dropping settings as standard. Golf World Top 100 editor Chris Bertram is convinced that Iceland has everything required to make it a bucket-list destination for golfers – here’s why…

I have played golf in 57 countries in pretty much all corners of the world – from Nicaragua to Norway and Oman to New Zealand – and I’ve never returned from any of them more exhilarated, enthused and frankly bemused by what I had experienced than I did after my trip to Iceland.

I had seen pictures of a couple of its courses and you hear the odd mention about them – and of course, I knew a reasonable amount about the breathtaking natural beauty of the whole country. But not until you are standing there with the jaw-dropping splendour in front of your own eyes does it properly hit you.

Its climate is less attractive than Britain’s (which gives it a short golf season) and it is not cheap by any standard, but if you have an ounce of adventure in your body, Iceland should be on your wishlist.

Some golfers might not enjoy playing its courses every week, because they are eccentric and an assault on the senses. But as a distinctive, almost other-worldly experience, I find it hard to believe it is surpassed by many countries as a memorable destination.

It may surprise you to read that, and here is another shock for you… there are 60 golf courses on the island! For a population of 300,000.

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Why you can trust our ranking of the best golf courses in Iceland

I have produced these guides, with the help of Golf World‘s expert Top 100 panel, for a host of mainland Europe’s countries, including Belgium, Norway, Germany, and the Netherlands, in the hope of inspiring you to visit a new destination.

Our Top 100 panel has been ranking Europe’s best courses since many of you took up the game and has the most comprehensive knowledge in the game, which is why you can trust this to be the most accurate reflection of the best golf courses in Iceland.

As always, I look forward to hearing your verdicts and travel tales. We’d love to hear from you via email, on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

And, once you’ve enjoyed this ranking, please do take a look at how Iceland’s layouts rank in our guides to the best modern golf courses in Europe and the continent’s best golf resorts.

Chris Bertram, Golf World Top 100 Editor

Best Golf Courses in Iceland

1. Brautarholt

This Edwin Roald 12-holer is being extended to 18 currently, but is already a Continental European Top 100 course and in the top 10 of the X Factor list. It’s within an hour of the capital and offers a bewitching layout set on the cliffs.

When you’re not looking at the sea and rocks, you’re firing toward gorgeous mountains. Local architect Edwin Roald made a fine job of maximising the site.

I’d say it is surpassed only by Lofoten in Norway in terms of its beauty.

2. Westman Island

Westman Island, or Vestmannaeyjar to give it its local name, runs Brautarholt close for immense aesthetic appeal though. If someone said they felt it was even more beautiful, I wouldn’t disagree. Mountains that reach hundreds and hundreds of feet into the sky mix with classic seascapes of crashing waves, spray and imposing black rocks. There are also some wonderful holes among a lava field. Unquestionably epic.

You need to take a 30-minute ferry from the south of the island (two hours from Reykjavik) to get there but it’s worth every metre of the journey.

It combines an epic setting with some lovely links holes and is Turnberry-esque in parts.

3. Keilir

A front nine among a lava field is wonderful but punishing – miss the fairway and your ball is bouncing around for fun on the black treacle that lines the green ribbons of grass. Some of those holes are played alongside the sea to great effect.

The back nine plays around the bay with some elevated tee shots but a drop-off in quality.

4. Siglo

Sigló, right in the north, is laid out at the foot of mountains that surround the course on all but one side, the other side giving views down to the town of Siglufjordur, where Netflix series ‘Trapped’ was filmed. Renovated by Roald, it is an absolute delight.

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5. Sudurnes

Sudurnes darts back and forth on a site sloping gently down to the sea. The 3rd hole is one of Iceland’s best, playing towards an infinity green.

6. Grindavik

A road splits the course, with the seaside holes on one side a delight. Those on the other do not let the side down – plenty of interesting green complexes.

7. Hornafjordur

Set down on rolling land on the edge of the sea, with spectacular views and shots to take on. In the south-east of the island so takes a bit of getting to, but entirely worth it.

8. Oddur

Another course that sits among a lava field, yet Oddur plays like a well-maintained parkland lined by low-level trees.

9. Vik

On the other side of the road from the iconic eponymous black sand beaches, Vik plays back and forth at the bottom of the mountains. Greens cut into the side of the slopes. Another epic experience.

10. Ness (Nesklubburinn)

A revelation. Sits on a peninsula, so you are playing alongside the sea for most holes.

It won’t win architectural awards, but is an absolutely unmissable experience.

11. Hveragerdi

Stunning setting in the mountains that makes it feel like you’re playing Alpine golf.

Some modest holes, but also some absolute beauties. Some cool green complexes too.

It is close to Golden Circle attractions (see below).

12. Akureyri

Located around 60 miles from the Arctic Circle, Akureyri is Iceland’s ‘Northern Capital’. Its eponymous course is a well-established parkland with typically impressive mountain views.

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13. Fiorlakshofn (Thorlakshofn)

Sits along the shore with a links feel as it plays on black sandy terrain. In some ways unlucky not to be higher on this list!

14. Kidjaberg

A solid test with the touch of magic coming from the scenery – Kidjaberg sits on the banks of a glacial river.

15. Geysir

A fun nine holes in a gorgeous setting. Two rivers bisect the course and add drama.

16. Mosfellsbaer (Hlidavollur)

Elevates itself above the nearby Reykjavik clubs with some outstanding elevated tee shots – à la Portsalon’s 2nd.

17. Reykjavik (Grafarholt)

Solid parkland, but not enough to get the pulses racing for the visiting golfer.

18. Reykjavik (Korpa)

Another well-maintained parkland that doesn’t hit the heights of those above.

19. Selfoss

Easy to dismiss as it is inland, but it plays round a lake on the edge of the pretty eponymous town which is close to the Golden Circle attractions.

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20. Leirdalsvollur (Leirdalur)

The 18-hole Leirdalur layout is set down in an out-and-back routing to excellent effect.

21. Hella

Anywhere else in the world and this would feel like a breathtaking location for a course, surrounded on all sides by expansive mountain views. Here it is simply standard, but lovely nevertheless.

22. Akranes

A tidy but unspectacular parkland with mountain views.

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23. Borgarnes

Another neat course blessed with lovely mountain backdrops.

24. Ondverdarnes

A decent mix of old and new holes.

25. Fludir

Extended impressively down the years from its original six holes.

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Golf in Iceland: Off the course

Golf should be just one aspect of your trip here, however long you’re staying. A bit like the golf courses, there is a long list of possibilities but here are a few of the unmissable experiences…

The Golden Circle lets you explore some of Iceland’s geological wonders in one spectacular three-to-four-hour drive. Stop by Thorofuss National Park for some wild and rugged Game of Thrones sets, try some of the legendary ice cream at homey farm Efstidalur II, watch water shoot metres up out of the earth at the geysers of Strokkur and be left speechless by the power and size of the mighty Gullfoss waterfall. 

Walking in the Blue Lagoon natural thermal spa with a pint of local beer in hand and a mud mask on your face is a surreal but unmissable experience. Or, for a more rustic and wholesome pampering session, simply take an easy hike to the bath-like springs of Reykjadalur Valley. 

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Further afield, you’ll find some of the best whale watching in the world around Husavik, the ‘Whale Watching Capital’ in the north, not to mention many more majestic waterfalls and snow-topped mountain ranges. Horse trekking along black-sand beaches and glacier hiking are found around every corner.

Those who venture as far as the west coast are rewarded with the sensational view of the basalt column-filled Studlagil Canyon, while the ethereal Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon – where massive chunks of ice float in the lagoon and eventually the sea – is an extraordinary sight.

For authentic local eats, it doesn’t get any better than the iconic beer (go for Boli over Gull) and chips combo at Reykjavik Chips, found in the centre of what has the be one of the most quaint capital cities in the world. 

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Golf in Iceland: Our 10 top tips for the perfect break

Car hire 

Iceland is not cheap so to save a couple of days of car hire if you’re here for a week, rent one from the airport for a few days then deposit it in the city centre while you explore Reyjkavik. Then pick a new one up after two days for the rest of your stay. We hired with local firm Blue Car and global giant Europcar and for various reasons they were both absolutely brilliant.

Short break or holiday?

For a week you can do the ring road and have the trip of a lifetime but NB, you’ll use a lot of fuel – around £140. But it’s worth it.

Three-day itinerary

If you’re there for three days, stick to the 6pm-12pm part of the Icelandic clock and prioritise Brautarholt, Westman Island, Keilir plus the Golden Circle attractions and a few hours exploring Reyjakvik.

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Week-long itinerary

Brautarholt, Keilir, Westman Island and maybe Geysir, Sudurnes, Grindavik, plus add in Siglo, Hveragerdi and Vik as you drive round the ring road. Bear in mind some are nine holes and one 12 and they are almost always just a few minutes’ drive off the ring road.

Trust the AirBnBs 

Did we say Iceland is expensive? Accommodation is definitely not cheap but use AirBnBs because they are wonderful and often in lovely family homes where you’ll be made so welcome.

Fish and chips = a delicacy

Whatever you think of as the best fish and chips you’ve had, it’s in for a real test in Iceland. The chips are great but the fish is just out of this world. And often served in chippies with a good selection of local beers.

Watch Trapped first

Partly joking here. It is a great series and spotting all the things you’ve come to know so well in Siglufjordur and elsewhere is a lot of fun. Watch it here.

Take your clubs

You can hire here and there but the clubhouses are not lavish affairs. Plus, you’ll want to have your own clubs for these once-in-a-lifetime courses.

Take all your weather gear 

You think the conditions change quickly in Britain? That is nothing compared to Iceland. Pack your waterproofs and jumper and never take them out your bag – you honestly just never know in Iceland, even from June to August.

Don’t change currency

It’s a waste of commission – you can use your card anywhere and everywhere.

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