Þorlákshafnarvöllur ☆ Follow

Þorláksvöllur is a coastal 18-hole golf course located in the municipality of Ölfus, approximately a thirty-minute drive from Reykjavík. The course is situated on sand near the coast, a setting that allows the greens to be ready earlier in the spring than many other Icelandic courses. The layout is divided into two nine-hole loops designed by Hannes Þorsteinsson, with the course named after Bishop Þorlákur Helgason. The terrain is characterized by a rugged, wild landscape that resembles links courses in Scotland or Ireland, featuring high dunes and proximity to the sea. The course has undergone significant transformation over the last decade to address challenges posed by its coastal location. Originally, the holes closest to the sea were frequently affected by sand drift, making play difficult or impossible in severe weather. Between 2014 and 2022, the club executed a major project to replace these vulnerable holes. The renowned golf course architect Edwin Roald advised on the design of these new holes, which were integrated into a revised routing. This redesign also increased the number of tees, allowing for more flexible course configurations and significantly reducing walking distances between holes, thereby improving the overall pace and comfort of play. Þorláksvöllur is known for being a fast and easy-to-walk course, with golf carts available for most of the year. The coastal setting offers shelter from the wind in some areas due to the sea dunes, though wind remains a factor. The course has hosted major national competitions, most notably the Icelandic Individual Championship in 2021, marking the first time an adult national championship was held at the venue. The club has seen a substantial increase in activity in recent years, with the number of rounds played rising from approximately 4,000 to nearly 17,000 annually.