Golf in Sweden

Sweden was largely unknown as a golfing destination many years ago but, thanks to a number of reasons, has turned the corner from its underachiever status to world-beater.

Annika Sorenstam put Swedish and ladies golf on the map when she became the first woman in more than 50 years to feature in a PGA Tour event against the men in the Bank of America Colonial.

But it doesn't stop there; add Per Ulrik Johansson and Jesper Parnevik from the men's game to Catrin Nilsmark and Carin Koch from the ladies game, and you have a country that has produced more than its fair share of talented golfers.

Golfing in Sweden is both a pleasure and an eye opener. The first Swedish golf club, Gothenburg, was founded in 1902 and was quickly followed two years later by Stockholm. Golf, then, is nothing new to the Swedes and any visitors will soon realise that.

Barseback in Malmo was the home of this year's fiery Solheim Cup and is worth a look. Idrefjallen, Funasdalsfjallen, and Bjorkliden golf courses are in the north, each enjoying views of snowy mountains. Lakes, rivers and streams bound courses in the southern parts of the country, while to the west you will find superb links courses, with Falsterbo Golf Club the pick of the bunch.