Golf in Iceland

Very popular! According to public surveys, about 45,000 individuals play golf in Iceland every year. That’s close to 12% of the Icelandic population (which totals approximately 395,000).

There are currently 65 golf courses across the country; 15 are 18-hole golf courses. All of the courses are open to visitors.

As follows the population spread, 10 of these golf courses are in the Reykjavík area. Five of these are 18-hole.

The golf season in Iceland generally runs from late May to early September. That’s when the weather should generally be cooperative, and the daylight hours are long.

Read more about the seasons in Iceland, including what average temperatures and daylight hours to expect for each month, in our blog covering the best times to visit Iceland.

The phenomenon of the midnight sun brings 24-hour daylight for a few weeks either side of the June 21 summer solstice. This means that you can play midnight golf in Iceland between early June and the later part of July.

The North Iceland town of Akureyri (population around 18,000) is known for its annual midnight sun golf tournament, open to amateurs and professionals.

Many golf courses around Iceland allow tee time bookings through the night during the weeks when the midnight sun illuminates the sky.

When golfing in Iceland, it’s definitely a good idea to pack your all-weather gear! Waterproofs are recommended.

Golf equipment such as trollies are usually for hire at the 18-hole golf courses. Golf carts and clubs are available for hire at the courses in the greater Reykjavík area but are less common out in the countryside. 

With Icelandair, it’s easy to bring your own golf clubs with you. Your golf equipment can count toward your baggage allowance or be added as an odd-size item. You can also add golf clubs to your baggage after making a booking, using the Manage booking function on our website and app.