Golf at Hafjell – Mountain Golf, Family Hotel and Norway's 100th Course

Norway's 100th Golf Course — On a Farm in Gudbrandsdalen

On 23 June 2002, Hafjell Golf Club opened as Norway's 100th golf course. Not many people know this, but it is documented by the Norwegian Golf History Society. The course sits at 800 metres elevation, 15 minutes north of Lillehammer, right next to Hafjell Alpine Centre where the slalom events were held during the 1994 Winter Olympics. Surrounding it are mountains, forest and a family hotel that has been in operation since 1877.

It has 9 holes. Not 18. And that is a deliberate choice. On a Scandinavian golf forum, a player wrote that Hafjell invested in 9 holes of top quality rather than stretching to 18 mediocre ones. The result is greens that in recent years have been ranked among Norway's top 5. That is quite remarkable for a 9-hole mountain course.

The course was designed by Jeff Howes, an Irish golf course architect with over 40 years of experience who has collaborated with Seve Ballesteros on Heritage Golf and Country Club in Ireland. Howes also created a master plan for expanding to 18 holes, which has not yet been realised. He additionally designed Norway's first putting course here, which we will come back to.

Google reviewers give the course 4.4 out of 5 from 81 reviews. That is a strong score for a course of this size, and says something about people genuinely enjoying what they find here.

See the full course overview and contact information →

The Course — 9 Holes, Played as 18

Hafjell Golf Club is a parkland and woodland course with 9 holes played as 18 using different tee positions on the second loop. Par is 67 for a full 18-hole round, total length 4,213 metres from the yellow tees. Course rating is 64.4 and slope 126.

Hole lengths vary from 76 to 458 metres. The course has large greens, many bunkers and stone-lined streams as water hazards. The surrounding forest has been thinned, not cleared, creating a natural and varied playing experience without feeling cramped.

In 2013, holes 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6 received new tee boxes to add variety on the second nine. This means an 18-hole round does not feel like playing the same nine twice. Slope values were recalculated after the changes.

The Course Keeps Evolving

Hafjell is a course that continues to develop. In July 2022, hole 10 was changed from par 4 to par 5. The reasoning was pragmatic: 90 per cent of players were already playing it as a par 5. In August 2025, holes 7 and 16 received new tee positions due to a residential development being built below the course. Hole 16 now has its entire left side marked as out of bounds with white stakes. The club recommends using clubs you feel confident with and avoiding shots to the left.

The course record is 61 strokes, set by Marius Engelstad during the club championship on 24 August 2013. The previous record was 66, set by Anders Barhaug in 2008 with the original tee positions.

Mountain Golf at 800 Metres — What Does It Mean in Practice?

Playing golf at 800 metres elevation is different from playing at sea level. The air is thinner, which means the ball flies further. You may not notice it on every shot, but on a long drive it can make a difference. Keep that in mind when choosing your club.

The course is described as having "fantastic sunlight conditions throughout the summer half-year" thanks to the orientation of the Gudbrandsdalen valley. The large greens, which are ranked among Norway's best, come through winter in good condition. After winter 2022, the club reported that "the greens in particular came through winter well". The mountain climate with cold winters and dry air seems to suit the turf.

Nermo Hotel — The Story Behind the Course

You cannot write about golf at Hafjell without writing about Nermo Hotel. The hotel is located literally in the middle of the golf course, and their histories are so intertwined that one does not make sense without the other.

The Nermo family bought the farm in 1866. They began renting rooms to hunters and fishermen, and over time it became a popular pension known for its food and hospitality. Among the early guests were family members of Thor Heyerdahl. In 1932, the entire farm burned down. Only the storehouse survived. The following year it was rebuilt as "one of the most modern buildings" with central heating and hot and cold water in every room.

During the Second World War, the hotel was occupied by German forces. After the war, it was leased as a school for deaf children because tourism was low. In 1970, it reopened as a pension. Then, in 1988, Lillehammer was chosen to host the 1994 Winter Olympics. That was the starting point for a full hotel business.

In 2001, the golf course opened, built on what had previously been potato and grain fields. Johannes Nermo, the fifth generation, runs the place today.

And then, in February 2022, lightning struck again. Hafjell Golf AS, the company that operated the course commercially, went bankrupt. The board had worked on alternative solutions for an extended period but could not find sustainable financing. The headline in the local newspaper Gudbrandsdolen Dagningen read: "Hafjell Golf is bankrupt — I am deeply disappointed."

But the course did not close. Nermo AS guaranteed continued operations, just as the family had done with the hotel through fire, war and pandemic. The course opened as normal on 7 May 2022 with a volunteer working day and tournament. The bankruptcy affected the operating company, not the golf club. That is an important distinction. The course is in full operation and has been ever since.

Today, Nermo Hotel is a member of De Historiske (Historic Hotels of Norway). It has 31 rooms and 53 apartments, a restaurant using local ingredients from the Gudbrandsdalen valley, lounges with open fireplaces and a sauna. It is the kind of place where you feel like a guest, not a customer.

Golf Packages and Accommodation

Nermo Hotel offers two golf packages. Package 1 starts from NOK 1,200 per person and includes one night in a double room, breakfast and one round of golf. Package 2 costs from NOK 2,400 and gives two nights with two rounds.

To book, contact the hotel directly at booking@nermohotell.no or call +47 61 27 55 80. Hafjell Golf Club also partners with Quality Hotel & Resort and Hafjell Hotel & Apartments for those who prefer other accommodation options.

With green fees of NOK 450–500 for 18 holes and hotel rates from around NOK 1,900 per night, the golf packages represent good value. You save a fair amount compared to booking everything separately.

Green Fees and Prices 2025/2026

The 2026 prices had not been published when this article was written (the course is closed for winter until May), but based on historical data, the 2025 prices are expected to continue with possible CPI adjustment.

The NSG loyalty card allows a maximum of 3 rounds per season, weekdays before 15:00 only. Golfamore members get 50 per cent off (Standard: 1 round, Plus: up to 3 rounds on weekdays). Payment by Vipps to number 522701, or via GolfBox. Booking by phone +47 61 27 57 60.

Compared with many other courses in the Innlandet region, Hafjell is reasonably priced. NOK 450 for 18 holes on a course with greens ranked among the country's best is hard to argue with.

Hafjell has 10 partner clubs that all give 20 per cent discount on green fees: Skei GK, Mjosen GK, Atlungstad GK, Elverum GK, Sorknes GK, Trysil GK, Gjovik & Toten GK, Kongsvinger GK, Randsfjorden GK and Valdres GK. If you are a member of one of these, it becomes even cheaper.

Updated prices and booking on the course page →

Scandinavia's Only Putting Course on Real Grass

Something few people know about Hafjell is that they have Scandinavia's only putting course with 18 individual holes on real grass. Not artificial turf. Real grass.

The course was designed by Jeff Howes and opened in 2012. It is 549 metres long, with holes ranging from 13 to 54 metres. There are sand bunkers and water hazards, just like on a proper golf course, only in miniature. No golf experience is needed. A putter and ball can be borrowed from the reception at Nermo Hotel.

This is an activity that works for the whole family, including those who have never held a golf club. The course is listed as a standalone attraction on VisitNorway and Visit Lillehammer. For families on holiday in the Hafjell area, this is a far better alternative to regular mini golf.

Combine Golf with Hafjell as a Holiday Destination

People who search for "hafjell golf" are often planning a holiday with multiple activities. Hafjell has much more than golf:

• Hafjell Bike Park — one of Norway's best for mountain biking, with chairlift access
• Hunderfossen Adventure Park — popular with families, 10 minutes away
• Lilleputthammer — miniature version of Lillehammer, also for families with children
• Lillehammer town centre — the Olympic town with Maihaugen, the ski jump at Lysgardsbakken and the main street, 15 minutes south
• Rafting at Sjoa — about 30 minutes away, one of Norway's most popular rafting stretches
• Mountain hiking — well-marked trail network from Hafjell into the Oyer mountains

Hafjell Alpine Centre, built right next to the golf course, was constructed for the 1994 Olympics at a cost of NOK 130 million. It is Norway's third-largest ski resort in winter, but in summer it is all about the chairlift, trails and cycling.

The combination of golf in the morning and another activity in the afternoon makes Hafjell a place where the whole family finds something to do, even if not everyone plays golf.

Other Golf Courses Nearby

If you want to play more than one course in the area, there are several options within driving distance:

• Skei Golf Club — 22 km, 9 holes. The nearest neighbour.
• Mjosen Golf Club — 35 km, 18 holes. By Lake Mjosa.
• Sorknes Golf Club — 48 km, 9 holes. Towards Ringsaker.
• Gjovik & Toten Golf Club — 62 km, 18 holes.
• Valdres Golf Club — ~90 km, 18 holes. Ranked no. 6 in Norway.

Valdres Golf Club deserves a special mention. It is ranked number 6 among Norway's best golf courses and sits in spectacular mountain scenery. Combining Hafjell and Valdres on the same trip gives you two mountain golf experiences that are hard to beat.

All of these are partner clubs with Hafjell, so you get a 20 per cent discount as a member of any of them.

Season and Best Time to Visit

The season at Hafjell runs from early May to mid-October. In 2025, the course closed on 13 October and the driving range on 23 October.

June to August offers the best conditions. The greens are in top shape, the days are long and temperatures are pleasant. This is also the busiest period.

May and September/October are quieter. Cooler temperatures, but you will have the course more to yourself. Prices are the same, but it is easier to get tee times.

Mountain weather can change quickly. Check conditions before you go and bring an extra layer. Temperatures at 800 metres are typically a few degrees lower than in Lillehammer town centre.

2026 prices will likely be published in April or May when the course is prepared for the season opening.

Practical Information

Address: Nermosvegen 56, 2636 Oyer, Norway

Getting there:

• From Oslo: approximately 2.5 hours via the E6 north
• From Lillehammer: 15 minutes north on the E6
• From Gjovik: approximately 50 minutes
• The course is 800 metres from the E6 exit to Hafjell

Parking: Free at the course.

Facilities:

• 24-station driving range
• Putting green
• Practice area with 10 tees for short game
• Pitch and bunker practice area
• Pro shop at Nermo Hotel reception
• Rental sets for women, men and left-handers
• Restaurant at Nermo Hotel (no restaurant on the course itself)

Not available:

• Locker rooms/showers
• Golf cart rental (reserved for players with physical limitations only)

Contact:

• Phone: +47 95 17 76 55 (club) / +47 61 27 55 80 (course reception)
• Email: klubb@hafjellgolf.no
• Booking: Via GolfBox or phone +47 61 27 57 60

For beginners: Hafjell offers beginner courses (VTG — Veien til Golf) from May 2026, with a membership at NOK 3,500 that includes unlimited play for the rest of the season. Children up to 11 years play for free with a junior membership.

Frequently Asked Questions About Golf at Hafjell