15 May 2024
Car Rental Guide to Iceland’s best Golf Courses
Did you know that golf is the most popular sport in Iceland? Iceland has many great golf courses around the island. Being in Iceland some golf courses are surrounded by amazing scenery the country is world famous for.
Here I will list the 6 best golf courses in Iceland. Where they are located, what makes them so special and most importantly how you can get there. Get set for playing golf in the land of ice and fire.
1. Keilir Golf Club.
Located on the outskirts of Hafnarfjörður Keilir Golf Club is one of the best and most beautiful golf courses in Iceland. Keilir Golf Club is an 18 hole golf course where you play along an amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by lava fields.
Playing there is truly a special golf experience for any golfer.
Keilir Golf Course is close to Keflavik Airport. With a rental car in Iceland, it will take about 25 minutes getting from the terminal to the first tee.
2. Reykjavik Golf Club
The oldest and most respected golf course in Iceland. Golfers love this 18-hole golf course in Iceland for intriguing design and wonderful scenery.
Reykjavik Golf Club is the home ground for golf in Iceland. Full of history and great fairways.
Reykjavik Golf Club is in the Grafarvogur area. Perfectly located for those staying in the capital area and only about 40 minutes from Kef Airport.
3. Vestmannaeyjar Golf Club
Perhaps the most unique golf course in the world. Found in the legendary Westman islands (is. Vestmannaeyjar) this 18-hole Icelandic golf course is known for its incredible landscape and natural features.
It's a special experience playing golf on a volcanic island off the southern coast of Iceland. Surrounded by dramatic sea cliffs, volcano crater and puffins.
If you want to play at Vestmannaeyjar Golf Club, drive your rental car in Iceland down the south coast and take the ferry at Landmannaeyjarhöfn.
4. Akureyri Golf Club
Akureyri is called the capital of the North in Iceland. Known for its vibrant culture and beautiful scenery. But that’s not all. There is also a great golf course in Akureyri.
Akureyri Golf Course is a mixture of both northern beauty and challenging fairways. It’s most famous for its midnight golf, played in ever bright Icelandic summer.
A perfect way to enjoy the midnight sun in Iceland.
Akureyri is about 5 hours from Keflavik Airport with a rental car. For golfers traveling up north I recommend taking the advantage of being in the region. Stay for a few days and visit other fantastic golf courses. For example, Húsavik Golf Club, known for its scenic view over Skjálfandi Bay.
5. Kiðjaberg White River Golf Club
A true golf gem in south Iceland is Kiðjaberg Golf Club. This extraordinary golf course sits on the banks of Hvítá river (e. White River) offering even the most experienced golfers a challenging game.
In the lush green south Iceland, Kiðjaberg White River Golf club offers golfers a spectacular view, playing with only the sound of the mighty glacier river, Hvítá, breaking the silence.
Kiðjaberg White River Golf club is about one and a half hours from Keflavik Airport and about an hour from Reykjavik. The closest town is Selfoss, the cultural center of south Iceland, and natural wonders such as Kerið Crater are right next to it.
6. Leynir Golf Club Akranes
The last on the list of Iceland’s top golf courses is Leynir Golf Club. Located in the town of Akranes, this 18-hole golf course is known for its quality greens and diverse fairways.
Teeing up from a new and stylish clubhouse, Leynir Golf Club offers a first-class golfing experience in Iceland from the first hole to the last. It is widely considered one of the best golf courses in Iceland and frequently host the Icelandic golf championship tournament.
Leynir Golf Club is just a half an hour drive from Reykjavik or just an hour from Kef-Airport. A perfect day-tour for golfers that want to try playing outside the capital area.
Rental Car and Golf in Iceland
You need a rental car if you’re planning a golf trip in Iceland. As you can tell from this list, many of Iceland’s best golf courses are located outside Reykjavik. Having a rental car in Iceland will give you more accessibility for golfing.
Having a rental car in Iceland will also mean more flexibility for your trip. Giving you the option to choose where you want to golf and when. Additionally, being able to travel at our own pace, having a rental car opens the possibility of exploring Iceland beyond golf.
A car rental in Iceland also provides the convenience of transporting not just you but your golf equipment as well. As golf clubs and luggage take quite a lot of space, I recommend renting a medium sized SUV or larger for your golf trip in Iceland.
When renting a car in Iceland I highly recommend getting full insurance and finishing an online check-in before arrival. With a carefree car rental experience, you can focus on your swing instead of worrying about the car.
Even though golf is only played in summer I recommend checking the weather forecast daily. Just to get a heads up for the driving and golfing conditions.
Conclusion
Golf in Iceland is one of the best outdoor activities you can experience. Nowhere in the world can you enjoy playing a sport in such unique and beautiful scenery. With quality golf courses found all over the island, plus all the natural wonders in Iceland it is sure to be an adventure of a lifetime.
All you need is a trusty car rental and you’ll be teeing up to a hole in one experience in Iceland.
If you like to read more about things to do in Iceland, please check out our blog about Icelandic Culture and Natural Wonders.