Keilir Golf Club.
TRENDSETTER Travel Golf Tours (TTGT) directors Adrienne Witteman and David Cooper recently travelled to Iceland to experience first-hand some of the country’s finest golf courses – and came away genuinely impressed.
With around 60 golf courses scattered across this spectacular island nation, Iceland is emerging as one of Europe’s most intriguing golf destinations. Their late-July 2026 visit was undertaken to assess the leading courses ahead of TTGT’s hosted Iceland Golf Tour in June 2027.
Iceland’s golf season may be short – generally from early May until the end of September – but the locals certainly make the most of it. Golf is enormously popular, and during summer the tee sheets at many clubs can be packed from 7.00am to 7.00pm.
The weather during Adrienne and David’s visit ranged from a cool 13°C to a surprisingly balmy 18°C. Most Icelandic golfers were sensibly dressed in trousers, sweaters and jackets, although on their final round the conditions were sufficiently warm for the TTGT directors to trade their long trousers and jackets for shorts and polo shirts.
Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital and principal population centre, proved an excellent base. It is an attractive, low-rise waterfront city with a relaxed atmosphere, an abundance of excellent restaurants and bars, and, unsurprisingly for an island nation, an outstanding selection of fresh seafood. For golfers, Reykjavík also provides convenient access to many of the country’s leading courses, making it an ideal starting point for exploring Iceland’s extraordinary combination of golf and scenery.
WestmanIsland Golf Course.
The biggest surprise was undoubtedly the quality of the golf courses, with several, in their opinion, comfortably comparing with some of the best layouts in the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe.
Leading the way is Keilir Golf Club, Iceland’s No. 1-ranked course. The opening nine winds through ancient lava formations, before the course heads onto a spectacular peninsula for the back nine. Holes run along dramatic cliff tops, while others provide magnificent views across the surrounding waters. It is a genuine links experience – rugged, natural and exposed – and one that Adrienne and David believe could hold its own against many of the famous links courses of Scotland and Ireland.
But even Keilir was surpassed by what the TTGT directors regarded as the most impressive course of their Iceland visit – Brautarholt Golf Club. Ranked No. 2 in Iceland, Brautarholt is simply spectacular. Situated on a peninsula, the course makes extraordinary use of its natural setting. Many holes run directly along the cliff tops, while the inland holes still provide breathtaking views towards the surrounding coastline and ocean. The course immediately reminded Adrienne and David of Cape Wickham on King Island, Tasmania – another course renowned for its dramatic coastal setting. They believe Brautarholt arguably offers an even better overall layout.
One of the key conclusions from the TTGT visit is that Iceland should not be regarded simply as a spectacular touring destination that happens to have some golf courses. Iceland is a genuine golf destination in its own right.
The purpose of Adrienne and David’s 2026 visit was to personally inspect and play Iceland’s leading courses before hosting a 14-night Iceland Golf Tour from 19 June to 3 July 2027.
The tour combines 7 games of golf with 6 full days of touring, allowing guests to experience both the country’s outstanding golf and its remarkable natural attractions. Limited availability remains on the 2027 hosted tour. For more information, refer to the itinerary on www.trendsettertravel.com.au/GC77 or email david@trendsettertravel.com.au.
The post Golf in Iceland – A first-hand review first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.
Article Link: https://www.insidegolf.com.au/golf-travel/golf-in-iceland-a-first-hand-review/