Course info
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Course Report
The back nine incorporates structures from a former zoo, including buildings once used as tanks for polar bears and whales.
About
Keilir Golf Club, established in 1967 on the Hvaleyri peninsula, is one of Iceland's premier courses. Originally a nine-hole layout by Magnus Gudmundsson, the course expanded under Niels Skjöld and Hannes Thorsteinsson. The front nine plays through dramatic lava fields, while the back nine winds along coastal farmland, offering a unique blend of links and peninsula styles.
Caddie Tip
Bring an extra club known as a 'lava club'—local players recommend carrying an old or already-worn club to play from the sharp volcanic rock. On the opening stretch, accuracy is more important than distance; avoid aggressive plays over lava unless you are confident in your shot. Wind can be strong and unpredictable.
The Main Challenge
The most demanding part of Keilir is the opening sequence through the lava fields. Any stray shot can land among sharp rocks and rough, making recovery difficult or impossible. The coastal back nine opens up but introduces wind exposure and several risk-reward holes that demand strategic play.
The Good
Golfers rave about the front nine’s surreal journey through ancient lava fields, offering a playing experience found nowhere else in the world, as well as sweeping ocean views and the midnight sun in summer. The club’s warm hospitality and proximity to Reykjavik add significant appeal.
The Not So Good
Some players note the contrast in condition and maintenance between the two nines, with the back nine occasionally being less consistent. The wind and exposed site can make play difficult, and visiting golfers sometimes mention limited signage and course navigation markers.
Signature Hole:
#
12
The 12th hole, a par 4, is the club's signature challenge—set on a clifftop overlooking the North Atlantic. The tee shot requires accuracy to avoid the dramatic drop-off, while the second shot is played into a green perched above the sea, providing one of Iceland’s most spectacular backdrops.
Clubhouse
The clubhouse is spacious with panoramic views, housing a pro shop, café, event and meeting rooms. Facilities include seminar spaces, coffee lounges, and elite training areas, housed in buildings creatively repurposed from the site’s historic use as a zoo and aquarium.
Practice Facilities
Keilir offers an innovative indoor practice facility, including golf simulators, a chipping and putting green, and club fitting. Outdoor facilities feature a range, putting greens, and short game areas. Innovative reuse of former animal enclosures from a zoo adds to the amenities’ uniqueness and functionality.
Dress Code:
Standard
No dress code enforced. All attire is permitted.
Collared shirts not required. Clean, athletic or golf-appropriate casual wear is acceptable.
Collared shirts required. No denim, gym wear, or overly casual clothing.
Collared shirts must be tucked in; no cargo or athletic shorts. No hats indoors.
Elite club standards; jackets required indoors, no changing shoes in the parking lot, and specific attire rules based on the area of the facility.
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