Mauritzberg Castle & Golf – Review and Rating

Translated by AI

Despite its relative youth, the Mauritzberg golf course on Vikbolandet feels finished. It is varied with an exciting layout, well kept from tee to green, open and therefore exposed to the wind, with the sea breeze right on the doorstep. Exactly what golfers want.

When Robert Kains was asked to design an 18-hole course on Vikbolandet, he could make use of meadows, oak groves and the nearby sea. This was complemented with streams, ponds and excellent bunkers whose white sand is fluffy and easy to play from thanks to its origin: marble.

The course has red, yellow and white tees. The tee boxes are well kept with short grass.

For the red tees, par 72 over 4,942 meters, the figures are: the par 3s vary in length from 95 to 120 meters, the par 4s start at 235 and end at 331 meters, and the par 5s run from 394 to 452 meters.

The yellow tees, par 72, measure 5,989 meters. The par 3s vary from 127 to 176 meters, the par 4s from 305 to 392 and the par 5s range from 455 to 504.

The first hole, index 3, is a fairly long par 5 of just over half a kilometer from the yellow tee that can frighten the first-time visitor. Next comes one of the course’s many banana-shaped holes, a par 4 measuring 377 meters from the yellow tee. Then you are offered another par 4, not as long but with a clear dogleg and an elevated green here too. Then it is time for one of the course’s signature holes, a short par 3 where you hit out toward a peninsula surrounded by water. So bring a few extra balls in case you hit one for a swim.

The front nine continues in this varied way among oak groves and ponds. Ending up in a bunker is no disaster here; the soft, fluffy marble sand helps even average golfers onto the green or fairway. The first loop ends with a fairly long par 4 where the green sits next to a pond and a cluster of bungalows. Par is a good result there.

The back nine starts with a fairly straight par 4 along fields and meadows, with a water hazard lining the way to the green. A fairly difficult opener here too. Then comes another signature hole, a straight par 4 with a pond guarding the green. After that, a short par 4 with the green up on a rise.

You really have to judge not only distance but also elevation changes to post a good score. The same goes for the next hole, a long par 3 with the tee shot from high up.

The course’s last three holes are exciting, and all are candidates for signature hole. Number 16 is a par 3 of normal length with a large pond in play.

The second-to-last hole, index 2, is typical of this course: a fairly long dogleg with an elevated green guarded by bunkers. The finish is a 458-meter par 5 with water running alongside all the way to the green. With the job done, it is just a pitch to the nineteenth hole: the bistro, for anyone hungry or thirsty!

This page by Boje Bengtsson was originally published in Swedish on our sister site Golfjournalen.se. It has been translated by AI.