2027 OWGS Tour to Iceland

As we continue to break down international barriers, we are excited to invite members to apply to participate in an OWGS tour to Iceland in late June/early July 2027.

This is being organised by OWGS member and Iceland's greatest import Pete Salmon. Several of us toured Iceland under Pete’s stewardship this summer and had a fantastic time.

The highlight of this tour will be playing in the Icelandair Volcano Open, which is held every year in early July on a beautiful golf course set beside the sea amid volcanic terrain within an old crater. This is extremely difficult to get into, and we are hugely indebted to Pete for securing spaces for us.

Golf has become extremely popular in Iceland, and there are now over 70 courses to choose from. Iceland has the highest ratio of golf courses per head of population of any country in the world. All three courses you will be playing are in stunning locations,  and all are ranked in the top 7 in Iceland. Two of them have just been ranked by Golf World in the top 25 of the World’s Top “X Factor” Courses (just ahead of Pebble Beach). 

Application

If you would like to participate in this tour, register your interest here. First come first served.

We will then tell you how to pay an initial £500 deposit (non-refundable unless a replacement tourist can be found). There is space for only 7 people on this tour and selection will be on a strictly first come first served basis (by date of payment of deposit). 

Itinerary

Weds 30 June:

• Fly by Icelandair from Heathrow to Reykjavik (FI451 : LHR 1305 to KEF 1515)

• Late pm golf at Brautarholt, stay in hotel near Reykjavik

Thurs 1 July:

• Morning golf at Kidjaberg

• 40 minute ferry journey to Heimaey (Westman Island)

• Evening practice round at Vestmannaeyja

• Stay at hotel on Heimaey

Fri 2 July:

• Round 1 of Icelandair Volcano Open at Vestmannaeyja

• Stay at hotel on Heimaey

Sat 3 July:

• Round 2 of Icelandair Volcano Open at Vestmannaeyja

• Gala dinner and prizegiving

• Stay at hotel on Heimaey (and/or attend all night festival held annually to mark the ending on 3 July 1973 of the 5 month eruption of the Eldfell volcano on Heimaey)

Sun 4 July:

• 40 minute ferry journey back to mainland

• Visit various natural sights on coach journey back to Reykjavik (eg. waterfall, geyser, hot water lagoon)

• Fly by Icelandair from Reykjavik to Heathrow (FI454 : KEF 1610 to LHR 2020)

NB: This itinerary is subject to change, especially due to weather and ferry times to Westman Islands. However, as those of us who visited Iceland this summer discovered, Pete has everything covered with his wealth of Iceland knowledge and contacts. 

Costs

Expected to be £2,400 per person (dependent on exchange rates and Icelandic cost inflation). This will cover all accommodation (B&B), golf green fees and Volcano Open entry fee, transfers in Iceland (including all coach and ferry journeys), gala dinner after Volcano Open, and entry fee for hot water lagoon. Extras will be flights between Heathrow and Reykjavik (cost guide about £500, but may be cheaper if booked early), all other meals and drinks, tips and caddy/bag carrier fees. An initial deposit of £500 is required on confirmation of selection (non-refundable unless a replacement tourist can be found), with the balance payable 6 weeks before departure. 

Description of golf courses from Top 100 Golf Courses 

Brautarholt - ranked # 2 in Iceland, and ranked by Golf World at #16 in their list of the World’s Top “X Factor” Courses 

The course fits the landscape beautifully, with fairways and green sites following the natural contours of the coastline and it’s said that the architect set out the holes with no pre-conceived thoughts of overall par or yardage. The holes occupy a dramatic clifftop and waterfront location.

See full review here

Kidjaberg  - ranked # 7 In Iceland

The course lies on the banks of the glacial river Hvita and it’s no pushover as the Icelandic Championship was held here in 2010. The layout of the course is in perfect harmony with the surrounding landscape, where the river Hvita (the White River) runs past on two sides of a peninsular property as it makes its way from the Hvitarvatn lake on the Langjokull glacier to the Atlantic.

See full review here

Vestmannaeyja - ranked #6 in Iceland, and ranked by Golf World at #23 in their list of the World’s Top “X Factor” Courses

The course is located on the Westman Islands, which are situated to the south of the Icelandic coast and the largest of the islands is Heimaey, which is the only one inhabited. The course is situated inside an old volcanic crater under steep cliffs. The 18 hole layout is a spectacular par 70, which measures 5,820 yards. The Icelandic Championship was held here in 1996 but the Volcano Open is held here annually as a reminder of the incredible force of Mother Nature. In 1973 the Heimaey volcano erupted and everyone was evacuated to the mainland. Five months later, when the volcano eventually calmed down, the island had increased in size by 20 per cent and a new mountain had materialised. Now that’s what we call a volcanic eruption!

See full review here