Headed North

Far from the usual fairways, these northernmost remote courses are set against dramatic backdrops of fjords, glaciers, and endless skies. Venturing to these far-flung destinations is not just about the sport, but about embracing the thrill of golf in some of the planet’s most untamed and breathtaking landscapes.

Lofoten Links (Gimsøysand, Norway)
Lofoten Links, designed by Jeremy Turner, is the northernmost links course in the world, located 95 miles above the Arctic Circle. What began as a modest 6-hole layout in the 1990s has since evolved into an 18-hole, 6,687-yard course, earning high praise for its rugged beauty and challenging design. The fairways, planted with native cold-season grasses, wind through fields of stone and are dotted with pot bunkers, while angular rock formations line many of the holes, making accuracy essential. With a golfing season from May to October, and the unique opportunity to play 24 hours a day during the summer's midnight sun, Lofoten Links offers an unforgettable golf experience amidst Norway's wild, dramatic landscape.

Akureyri Golf Club (Akureyri, Iceland)

Akureyri Golf Club, located in northern Iceland, boasts a brief but exciting playing season, running from mid-May to October. Designed by Icelandic golfing legend Magnús Guðmundsson, this par 71 course has been a fixture for over five decades, with ongoing improvements to its greens and tees. Known for its striking moorland landscape, the 6,600-yard layout features broad ridges and rocky outcrops, yet it remains forgiving for the occasional wayward shot. One of its most unique events is The Arctic Open, held annually during the summer solstice, where both professionals and amateurs compete under the glow of Iceland’s midnight sun—a highlight of the golfing calendar.

Whalsay Golf Club (Skaw, Shetland, United Kingdom)

Whalsay Golf Club, perched on the northern shore of Whalsay Island in the Shetland Islands, offers an unmatched golfing experience for those willing to make the trek. Located more than 200 miles northeast of Dornoch, reaching this remote course requires dedication—often involving an overnight ferry from Aberdeen. But the journey is well worth it. Not only can you claim to have played at the northernmost course in the British Isles, but you'll also enjoy serene rounds on a peninsula stretching into the North Sea, with breathtaking ocean views in every direction. It’s a golfer’s escape like no other.

Yellowknife Golf Club (Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada)

At Yellowknife Golf Club in Canada’s Northwest Territories, golfing takes on an adventurous twist. From the moment you read the local rules—like no penalties if a raven or other wildlife swipes your ball—you’ll realize you’re in for a unique experience. The 6,182-yard course offers 18 holes, but you’ll only find grass on the greens, with sandy fairways requiring golfers to use portable mats and practice “preferred lies.” It’s a far cry from traditional courses, yet still a luxury compared to the more rugged 9-hole Ulukhaktok Golf Club, 600 miles to the north. Here, playing amidst tundra is just part of the adventure.