Kytäjä Golf

South-east is easily best course in Finland and North-west is not far behind. Excellent experience from start to finish.

The captivating blend of holes winding through woods and around the lake, coupled with wonderfully true greens, was exceptional. The South-East is undeniably a tough course, but Mrs. W and I savoured many moments in a battle that came down to the final putt of the last hole (she won). Kytäjä, despite being two years older than nearby Linna, feels distinctly more modern. Its impressive clubhouse, with an extensive pro shop and large dining area, is markedly 21st-century, as is its adjacent accommodation, which has digital entrance codes. Playing much of our two rounds in bright sunshine further enhanced the experience, as rays dappled through the trees and reflected off the water. From the first tee of the south-east course, situated alongside the lake, our surroundings inspired us. Among my favourite holes on the front nine was the 252-yard par-four fifth, which filters in from the right with a large bunker ready to catch those opting for a more direct line to the flag. The picturesque lake provides a stunning backdrop to the lovely ninth, a downhill par-three framed by forest, with a green that filters right to left into a deep sand trap. It's a breathtaking hole, looking even better under blue skies. Most of the back nine holes are played alongside the expansive lake, dotted with small boats, where people enjoy what must be one of the world's most tranquil environments. he 18th – one of the finest closing holes I've played. This is a bending par-five on a sliver of land, tight against the lake. Water threatens every shot, especially the drive and the approach to a green perilously close to the drink. Our hotel for the night at Kytäjä, once home to some of the 1,000 workers on one of Europe's largest farms, reopened two years ago after a superb, fully digital renovation. After a splendid breakfast in the classy, modern clubhouse, we were off to the tee of our second course at this high-quality resort. The North-West course begins between the practice and chipping areas and the driving range. The club’s genial chief executive promised us an easier round, and it proved to be true. This course features more generous fairways than its sibling, making it less challenging to find greens in regulation. Still, it presents many obstacles, demanding a smart strategy for the best results. These were two days on one of Europe's best resorts. Kytäjä truly deserves its growing reputation.

En vacances en Finlande, ce parcours était le dernier de notre road trip (9 parcours au total) et il est magnifique. Assez physique donc un buggy peut-être conseillé. Nous avons par contre été très déçu du buffet au restaurant.

On the second day of our stay at Kytäjä we played North West. This course is located across the road where also the training facilities are.

The course is from the same architect as South East, Tom McBroom. It's also a nice layout and in balance with the other course. If you ask 100 golfers maybe half would say the prefer the one layout, and the other half the other course.

In addition to my other review of South East I should add that I found the choices to eat from the menu were rather limited and the portion was rather small. For good eaters it was'n too much.

Also the hospitality during our stay was excellent, so I certainly recommend a visit to Kytäjä.

From Helsinki airport we drove straight to Kytäjä, it's a 45 minute drive. Arriving there this place reminds me of Keerbergen Golf in Belgium, with the difference that the Kytäja lake is 50 times bigger.

We had a stay onsite, which offers lake side views. Very convenient and pretty.

The facilities are located on the other side of the road, where the North East course is located. I believe they have the best facilities in the whole of Finland : very nice wide and long driving range with targets and of grass, plenty of putting greens and chipping greens.

The first tee of South East is located a long distance from the clubhouse, so keep that in mind and don't arrive to late. The course looked to me very American, although the architect is Canadian. South East is very scenic with lake views both on front and back nine.

Unfortunately I noticed right from the first hole that fairways were not in the best condition. I think it is due to a hard winter, and frost damage. Also the greens had some bad patches, that were filled with sand. To solve this I created for myself 2 rules : placing on the fairways and moving the ball on the green if a sand filled area was in the line of the putt. To give you an idea : from the 2x18 holes I played at Kytäjä I had to move my ball once.

The clubhouse was for me the first I visited in Finland. You have to keep in mind that in this country you are not served at the table, so if your glass is empty no waitress will show up to ask you for another drink. You go and ask a drink yourself. Something for me to get used to here.

Kytäjä SE is a wonderful layout and should always be on the list when you visit Finland.