There was not an exact match for the language you toggled to. You have been redirected to the nearest matching page within this section.
Strawberry – a different hotel company
Scandic Hotels – in all major cities from north to south
Thon Hotels – with fantastic breakfast
Radisson Blu Hotels – discover your favourite destinations
Classic Norway Hotels – From distinctive hotels to authentic fisherman's cabins
Citybox – modern and affordable hotels in a central location
DanCenter – your specialist in holiday homes in Norway
Norgesbooking – book your perfect cabin stay in Norway
Campcation – book camping all across Norway with Campcation
Campanyon - discover unique stays in nature
Brim Explorer – silent fjord tours by electric catamaran
Stromma – Norwegian city sightseeing with bus and boat
Widerøe – the largest regional airline in Scandinavia
NOR-WAY Bussekspress – experience amazing scenery by bus
Vy express – travel with bus throughout Norway
AutoEurope – always a smooth car rental experience
Rent-A-Wreck – the smart car rental alternative
Arctic Campers – Norway’s camper van rental
Cabin Campers – your cottage on four wheels
SJ NORD – the adventure starts on the train
Vy – travelling by train has never been easier
Hurtigruten – "The World’s Most Beautiful Sea Voyage"
Fjord Tours – Home of Norway in a nutshell® - Norway’s most popular tour
Authentic Scandinavia – Travel created by locals
Up Norway – Bespoke luxury tailored by insiders
Discover Norway – skiing, biking and hiking tours in Norway
Norrøna Hvitserk – expeditions and adventure holidays
Booknordics.com – hundreds of activities, tours and day cruises in Norway
Fjord Travel – let us show you the beauty of Norway!
Go Fjords – tours and activities all over Norway
50 Degrees North – unforgettable tailor-made and small group tours to Norway
Norwegian Holidays – low-price package holidays with Norwegian. Flight, hotel and rental car
My Nordic Travel – Do It Yourself, make your own itinerary
Ski holidays in Rauland – Go skiing in beautiful mountain nature
{{title}} {{:price}} - {{!preprice}} Price: {{?}} {{preprice}} {{/}} {{price}} {{:postprice}}{{postprice}}{{/}} {{?:pricing}} - {{pricing}} {{/pricing}}
North of the Arctic Circle you can golf in the middle of the night with the sun in your eyes. All you have to do is stay awake – the hole night.
Text: Julie Nordby Egeland
“Oops”, Geir Johnsen says whilst watching his golf ball fly into the seaweed. “You really have to be careful with your swings out here”, he says, shaking his head. The northern hobby golfer is right. We’re at Bodø Golfpark, way out on the beach with the massive Lofotenveggen mountains on the horizon. As Johnsen is closing in on the third hole, you can even see the scraps of an old fishery on the shore nearby.
Make one mistake out here, and the golf ball can easily end up in a creek or in a nearby forest – or perhaps hit an unknowing duck in the head. “But that’s the price to pay when you play around in untouched Nordic nature”, Johnsen says.
It’s one hour past midnight and we’re playing golf. As Johnsen once more tries his best to put in the third hole, the floodlight of the midnight sun is casting long shadows over the course, filling it with a warm light that is almost at its brightest. Suddenly, the green is no longer just green. It transforms into a landscape that looks like a fairy tale.
“It’s definitely magical. You just have to be here, words can’t describe it”, says Jens Kristian Hansen, a Norwegian veteran golfer. But he tries anyway: “Forget mindfulness. When you golf in the midnight sun, you get an intense feeling of being present in the moment.”
In light of the magical atmosphere, it seems to be no coincidence that there are hidden old burial mounds on this northern course, right next to hole number four. “So if you feel a sudden gust of wind, it can be the ghost of an old Norwegian Viking king”, Hansen jokes.
In the northern hemisphere during the summer months, the earth’s tilt towards the sun is responsible for the midnight sun. Conversely, the winter is long and dark, though lit by a special light show of its own: the northern lights. There aren’t many golfers out then. But north of the Arctic Circle in summer, some golf courses are open 24 hours a day, exploiting the precious light for all it’s worth. Surrounded by the characteristic northern nature – the long coastline dotted with fishing villages in the shadow of craggy peaks – it makes for an extraordinary experience.
The midnight sun is a natural phenomenon that occurs during the summer in places south of the Antarctic Circle and north of the Arctic Circle – including Northern Norway.
The earth is rotating at a tilted axis relative to the sun, and during the summer months, the North Pole is angled towards our star. That’s why, for several weeks, the sun never sets above the Arctic Circle.
Svalbard is the place in Norway where the midnight sun occurs for the longest period. Here, the sun doesn’t set between 20 April and 22 August.
At the Arctic Circle: 12 June–1 July
In Bodø: 4 June–8 July
In the Lofoten Islands: 28 May–14 July
In Tromsø: 20 May–22 July
At the North Cape: 14 May–29 July
In Svalbard: 20 April–22 August
You’ll find Bodø Golfpark by the shore on the mainland. Lofoten Links is placed on sand dunes and faces directly towards the open ocean, whilst in Narvik, you golf below the steep mountains by the Ofotfjord. In Tromsø, too, the course has a direct view of the water.
“Being able to golf in nature in this way is an important part of the northern culture”, Geir Johnsen says. He’s not only a hobby golfer but also a director at Nordlands County Council. “When golfing, you’re active and social at the same time as you’re enjoying the nature. So golfing really helps to keep our nature alive and appreciated in the modern world.”
The northern greens are alive at night in more than one sense. Most of the courses are surrounded by teeming animal life. You may just have to put alongside an elk or an otter or try to ace while the gulls are howling out at sea. “By the west side of hole five and six at Bodø golf course, there’s the occasional reindeer running by”, says Johnsen. Besides, it’s not only on the green you can spot an “Eagle”. Look up at the sky, and you might see a white-tailed sea eagle cruising through the wisps of cloud.
“We are very concerned with sustaining both the animal life and our cultural heritage at the courses. The Viking grave is placed directly onto the fairway and we have had baby ducks raised at our clubhouses. Up here, golfing goes hand in hand with both nature and tradition”, Johnsen says. “And the midnight sun just makes the whole experience extra special and everlasting. It really proves that golfing in the north is enjoyable for everyone, not just the trained golfer.”
When the northern winter is as long as it is, it’s quite clear why people grab the days of eternal sun with both hands. Stay awake, and you may just make 18 more holes before breakfast.
The midnight sun is a natural phenomenon that occurs during the summer in places south of the Antarctic Circle and north of the Arctic Circle – including Northern Norway.
The earth is rotating at a tilted axis relative to the sun, and during the summer months, the North Pole is angled towards our star. That’s why, for several weeks, the sun never sets above the Arctic Circle.
Svalbard is the place in Norway where the midnight sun occurs for the longest period. Here, the sun doesn’t set between 20 April and 22 August.
At the Arctic Circle: 12 June–1 July
In Bodø: 4 June–8 July
In the Lofoten Islands: 28 May–14 July
In Tromsø: 20 May–22 July
At the North Cape: 14 May–29 July
In Svalbard: 20 April–22 August
There is no need to wait until you’re here to find out what you’d like to do.
Bodø Golf Park is a spectacular golf course located just minutes away from the city center. The court has an…
Go to: Bodø Golf ParkBodø Golf Park is a spectacular golf course located just minutes away from the city center. The court has an…
Lofoten Links is nominated as one of the 100 best golf courses in the world!
Adventourous Skjomen and golfcourses to remember Narvik Golfklubb has an 18-Hole championship course in the…
Go to: Narvik Golf Club - Skjomen Golf parkAdventourous Skjomen and golfcourses to remember Narvik Golfklubb has an 18-Hole championship course in the…
Norway may not have the best courses in the world, but enjoying a round by a white beach under the midnight sun is something you'll never forget.
Iconic architecture and Michelin restaurants, historic hotels, exciting street art, sculpture parks, and lush gardens. Check out our top tips for everyone who wants rich cultural experiences and fine dining on their holiday in Norway.
Norway is a cool (and sometimes cold) country – which means that you’ll love our steaming hot spas and saunas. Many are inspired by Norwegian nature and have a unique Nordic twist.
Young Sami artists are currently bringing new life to one of Europe’s oldest song traditions. Ancient sounds meet modern genres – and the result? A brave, new wave of internationally acclaimed and prize-winning musicians.
Back to top