I want to go there: an ice golf course 590 kilometers from the Arctic Circle

I want to go there: an ice golf course 590 kilometers from the Arctic Circle

No one is surprised by grass golf anymore, but what about playing in extreme conditions?

The majestic Greenland, the land of fjords and the harsh north, gives its guests not only a meeting with virgin nature and the purest air, but also an opportunity to discover something unusual and experience new emotions.

Aristocratic play in extreme conditions

An icy golf course seems unbelievable, but it really is in the fjords of Uummannaq. The white and blue ice is marked with red lines. The balls are not white as in grass golf, but multi-colored, usually bright orange or red to make them easier to find on the white course.

The number of holes differs from that of the classic version of the game: in grass golf there are 18 holes, while on ice there are only nine. They are wider and are chiseled into the meter thick ice. The match time is also shorter than the traditional one: due to the bitter frosts of Greenland, golfers quickly freeze, despite all their insulations.

There are many obstacles and dangers in playing on a glacier. For example, such as snowy hills, icebergs embedded in the ice, strong icy winds and 50-degree frost. And then there are the polar bears. Usually these “inhabitants” are attracted by balls played by athletes.

Traditionally, the World Ice Golf Championships are held in March. Both men and women take part in the championship. Golfers and spectators must be dressed very warmly: down jackets, cotton sports pants and fur hats. It is also important that the players have special protective goggles against bright sunlight.

Although ice golf has many obstacles, it is an incredible experience. One of the competitors at the World Ice Golf Championships, American Sin Kelly, described his experience on the ice of the Uummannaq Fjords as follows:

At times, when you’re behind an iceberg wall and you’re getting ready to hit another shot, you suddenly feel as if you’re completely alone in this endless ice desert. You seem to dissolve into this infinity: both in space and time. It is difficult to explain in words, but it is impossible to forget …

How much does it cost?

The championship costs participants almost € 3 thousand (about 260 thousand rubles). In addition to participation in the tournament, this price includes four-day hotel accommodation, winter equipment rental, dog sledding and other services.

Despite the harsh climate of Greenland, the hotel “Uummannaq”, where the tournament participants can stay, has very comfortable conditions: 40 cozy rooms, a huge restaurant with a fully glazed facade, which allows you to enjoy panoramic views of the icebergs.

Golf on ice in Greenland is about how to have a great time, get new emotions and enjoy the beauty of nature. Go for new impressions!