Keilir Golf Club
Keilir is Iceland's most celebrated course, a par 71 spread across raw lava fields and old seaside farmland on the Hvaleyri peninsula at Hafnarfjordur. Founded in 1967 and extended to eighteen holes in 1994, its split personality, a lava front nine and a links like back nine by the sea, makes it the highlight of any Reykjavik golf trip.
Photo: Keilir Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
Ten kilometres southwest of Reykjavik, Keilir occupies one of the most distinctive sites in golf. The front nine was cut through the Kapelluhraun lava field, black rock pressing in on green fairways, while the back nine, the original course from 1967, runs along old farmland beside the sea where the water is constantly in play.
Local architect Hannes Thorsteinsson extended the course to eighteen holes in 1994, and it has since ranked as the best in Iceland. It is not long at about 5,982 yards off the back, par 71, but the lava, the sea and the ever present wind supply all the challenge anyone needs. Add the summer's near endless daylight and Keilir offers golf you can play at midnight, a genuine bucket list round.
Keilir at a glance
- Opened
- 1967, 18 in 1994
- Designer
- Hannes Thorsteinsson
- Type
- Lava and links
- Par
- 71
- Yardage
- About 5,982 yds
- Green fee
- Visitor rate
Club history, designer of the 1994 extension, par and yardage verified June 2026 from Keilir Golf Club and leading course databases. Keilir was founded in 1967 and extended to eighteen holes in 1994 by Hannes Thorsteinsson, a par 71 of about 5,982 yards. It welcomes visiting golfers; green fees vary by season (indicative, 2026), so always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Keilir is a course of two distinct halves. The front nine threads through the Kapelluhraun lava field, where black volcanic rock lines the fairways and a wayward shot is simply lost, demanding straight, controlled golf from the first tee.
The back nine, the original loop from 1967, opens out onto seaside farmland where the ocean comes into play on hole after hole and the wind off the Atlantic dictates club and shot. It is links golf in feel, firm and exposed, with the sea as both hazard and backdrop.
Neither length nor severity defines Keilir; the setting does. Volcanic rock, open sea and the long northern light combine into a round that feels like nowhere else, and in the height of the Icelandic summer you can tee off close to midnight under a sky that never fully darkens.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Members club that welcomes visiting golfers; book a tee time in advance for the short, busy summer season |
| Green fee | Visitor green fees vary by season (indicative, 2026); always confirm directly before booking |
| Booking | Reserve through the club or your trip planner; the playing season is short and tee times are prized |
| On the day | Walking and trolleys; carts may be limited; dress for wind and quick weather changes |
| Getting there | Hafnarfjordur on the Hvaleyri peninsula, about 10 minutes from Reykjavik and 25 minutes from Keflavik Airport |
| Best months | June to August for the mild weather and the famous midnight daylight |
Access and fee details verified June 2026; the season is short and rates change by year, so always confirm directly with the club or your trip planner before booking.
Where to stay nearby
Most visitors base themselves in Reykjavik or Hafnarfjordur, both minutes away, with the capital's hotels, restaurants and nightlife and easy access to the wider attractions of southwest Iceland.
Keilir pairs naturally with the other courses around Reykjavik and a wider Icelandic road trip taking in the Golden Circle, the south coast and the geothermal lagoons between rounds.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Keilir.
Build an Iceland golf trip
We arrange tee times at Keilir, pair them with the best of the Reykjavik area and book the lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Keilir questions
What makes Keilir Golf Club special?
Keilir is Iceland's top ranked course, split between a front nine cut through a lava field and a links like back nine beside the sea, ten minutes from Reykjavik.
What is the par and length of Keilir?
Keilir is a par 71 of about 5,982 yards; modest length, but lava, sea and wind make it a genuine test.
When can you play Keilir?
The main season runs from late spring to early autumn, with June to August offering mild weather and near endless daylight, when you can tee off close to midnight.
Can visitors play Keilir?
Yes. Keilir welcomes visiting golfers; book a tee time in advance for the short, busy summer season and confirm the current green fee before you travel.
Related
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Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.