Destination Reviews: Best Golf Break in Stockholm, Sweden
A golf break in Stockholm may not immediately come to mind, but it should be!
We took a deep-dive look into why you should be including this Scandanavian capital in your future golfing plans!
And we have to tell you we were impressed! Find out why below.
Golf in Sweden is experiencing massive growth with 480 courses and 460,000 club members – not bad for a country best known for winter sports.
The popularity of golf in Sweden is due to two main factors – firstly the success of leading Swedish pros on the world stage such as Annika Sorenstam and Henrik Larrson got local people interested in the sport.
Secondly there’s been an explosion of golf facilities across the country that take advantage of the breath-taking natural landscapes which has resulted in high quality and stunning golf course design.
We were really impressed by the sheer beauty of some of the courses (see the video of Bro Hoff Slott) – from rugged coast hugging links courses, to layouts carved through ancient woodlands Sweden has them all and they stand up to other parts of the world which may have a higher profile – looking for a island green challenge simialr to TPC Sawgrass? Check out the 3rd hole at Ullna Golf Club below!
Read on to discover our first hand guide into everything you need to create the best golf break in Stockholm.
Courses You Need to Play During a Stockholm Golf Break
Stockholm is a great golf break destination. Like many major cities there are several world-class golf courses within just an hour’s drive of the city.
We are really impressed with the quality of courses that spend half the year in freezing conditions. Sweden is also one of the leading countires in the drive towards golf course sustainability with designs that blend beautifully into natural landscapes.
There are superb golf course options whatever level of golfer you are, so its hard to wrong when choosing where to play. We’ve picked 3 golf courses within an hour of Stockholm we think you should definitely have on your playlist for a golf break in Stockholm.
Bro Hof Slott Golf Club
Located just 30 minutes from Stockholm, Bro Hof Slott Golf Club is one of the best golf courses in the region.
The course features 36 holes split into two 18 hole layouts the Castle course and the Stadium Course.
The Stadium Course is a links-style course that has hosted several professional tournaments. It offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside, and it is a must-play for any visiting golfer.
The Castle course has more trees and less water than the Stadium and is reminiscent of links courses you would usually find on the east coast of Scotland.
We’d suggest a round on each course here.
Ullna Golf Club
Ullna Golf Club is another world-class golf course located within an hour’s drive of Stockholm.
Host of the Scandinavian Open on the European Tour it is located on the shores of Lake Ullna and is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful courses in Scandinavia.
The course, re-designed by Jack Nicklaus in 2011 and the new layout has quickly made it a must-play course for golfers in the Stockholm area. And yes that is the challenger to the island green 17th at TPC Sawgrass shown above!
Bro-Bålsta Golf Club
Bro-Bålsta golf course, is located just 40 minutes from Stockholm.
The club’s claim to fame is that it’s the home course of Annika Sorenstam and her younger sister Charlotta – in itself a reason to play here!
The 6,689m 18 hole Championship course is layed out over a beautiful landscape with natural elevation changes, mature trees, and water features.
On the front nine the two par 5’s at holes 1 and 6 are stunning. While on the back-nine another par-five on the 13th is one of the most chllenging on the course and requires a precise approach shot over water to reach the green.
Our recommended hotels for golf breaks in Stockholm
Stockholm is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city that offers plenty of accommodation options.
Here are some of the best hotels we recommend to consider for your golf break:
Elite Palace Hotel
The Elite Palace Hotel is a top-rated hotel and our pick as a base for the Greencard Golf Tour Event in Stockholm.
One of the main advantages of this hotel is its prime location, in the heart of Stockholm’s Vasastan neighbourhood.
Many of the city’s top attractions are just a short walk from the hotel, including the National Museum, Stockholm City Hall, and the Royal Palace.
Additionally, there are numerous restaurants and bars in the surrounding area, making it a great place to stay to explore the city and get easy access to the golf courses.
Radisson Collection Strand Hotel
This historic hotel is located in a beautiful Art Nouveau building on the waterfront in central Stockholm. Legendary Swedish actresses Greta Garbo and Ingrid Bergman were regular visitors here.
Another great base for anyone wanting to explore Sweden’s capital with top attractions like Gamla Stan, The Modern Museum, Nordiska Kompaniet Department Store, and Stureplan all within walking distance.
The bedrooms are spacious and stylish, with elegant design features and with all the amenities you’d expect from a high-end hotel.
The Strand also has a renowned restaurant, serving delicious Nordic cuisine, and a bar, offering stunning views of the harbour and the city skyline.
Haymarket by Scandic
This elegant and Art Deco-inspired hotel is located in the trendy and central neighbourhood of Hötorget.
The rooms are luxurious and spacious, we’d recommend the Grande Double room overlooking the Stockholm skyline.
The hotel also has a beautiful brasserie, a cocktail bar, and a rooftop terrace, again offering stunning views of the city.
Best Apres Golf Bars & Restaurants in Stockholm
As you’d expect from a major city there are a huge range of dining and drinking options throughout Stockholm.
You’ll know before you go that it isn’t the cheapest place in the World to sample a pint of your favourite craft beer, cocktail or glass of red. However, the quality and variety of food and refreshments after a day on the course may help ease the wallet wallop!
Below are four recommendations that are a little out of the ordinary we think you’d enjoy and give you a memorable experience of Stockholm nightlife:
Ekstedt
Ekstedt is a spectacular Michelin-star restaurant where everything is cooked over open fire, making your visit here more an expereince than a meal!
Some of our UK readers may know the London sister restaurant Ekstedt At the Yard and the chef Niklas Ekstedt may have trained at the Fat Duck but you won’t find and scientific molecular cooking here!
This rustic food is described as “New Nordic” which basically means delicious meat and fish with seasonal vegetables all cooked over the open flames – it’s fantastic! Definitely worth trying to make a reservation if you want a different but delicious dining experience.
Meatballs for the People
The most famous food in the Scandanavia, (and a certain well-known furniture store!) is given a modern twist at this cool and comfortable restaurant. The whole menu based around the humble meatball and it’s amazing!
We recommend you go for the classic beef balls served with buttery mash, lingonberry jam and a creamy broth. More adventurous variations include rooster, reindeer and salmon. There are vegan and vegetarian options too. PS if your looking for some merch from your trip to Stockholm – check out the Meatball socks available here!
Akkurat
Akkurat is a legendary beer and whiskey bar located in the heart of Stockholm. According to the a review by The World’s Best Bars Akkurat is “one of the best stocked bars in Stockholm” where you can “spend several happy evenings here just exploring and sampling, making new discoveries…”
There are 28 draft beers plus a seperate list of super specialist cuvee beers and 400 whiskies!
For a great post golf activity you can even arrrange a tasting for groups of 8 or more with the Akkurat bar expert!
The food is also fantastic – we recommend the mussels!
Boulebar Rålambshov
If you’re looking for something different, but with a bit of a competitive edge, during your golf break in Stockholm then we suggest giving the Boulebar a visit!
Located in the middle of Rålambshovsparken, you can play boules in outdoor pitches while samppling some quality cocktails and local beers. The food is French inspired and delicious.
There are a number of different packages you can pre-book including a great weekend brunch, and even boule sessions with the local “Boule Nerd” – great fun and an experience that will add to your golf trip memories!
The best months for a Stockholm golf break
The best time to visit Stockholm is between May and September.
With the long swedish winters obviously the weather is the key to planning your Stockholm golf break! Between May and Spetmeber is when you’ll find warmer weather, and the golf courses will be in good shape.
Another feature of summer golf in some parts of Sweden is the continual sun in some areas of the country. If you’re feeling really adventurous you could tee off at midnight and finish in daylight! There are not many places in the World where you can do that without floodlights!
If you want to leave it until later in the year Autumn in Sweden is a beautiful landscape of reds and golds as the leaves turn and the crisp, autumn air, makes it a wonderful time to be out on these fantastic courses – be sure to make sure your phone is charged to get some great pics and memories of your trip!
How to get to Stockholm from the UK
Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) is the closest International airport to the city centre. Your transfer will take approximately 25 minutes by road.
You can get a number of direct flights from airports in the UK to Stockholm. The flight is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
Frequent flight carriers include SAS, BA and Norwegian
If you are interested in planning a Stockholm golf break and would like to enquire about flights or travel arrangements – please enquire for details by calling +44 (0)208 191 7798.
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