TALLINN - So summer is over and autumn has taken its rights, but the surprisingly warm weather makes it the perfect time to get some physical exercise and visit one of the golf courses around Tallinn.
Whether you're a professional or an amateur, here is a short overview of three main golf courses near Tallinn, which are located in the vicinity of the three biggest cities in Estonia. Let's visit them one by one.
The oldest, celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, the Niitvlja golf course is considered one of the best in Estonia. Although it's 30 kilometers from Tallinn, it's difficult to imagine a serious player missing any opportunity to visit this absolutely astonishing golf club near the sea. Very interesting landscapes enriched with natural boundaries, like ponds and forest walls line the fairways, making the play challenging and enforcing careful planning before each stroke. The strong sea breeze also helps to keep things interesting.
This course is known among professionals for its 15th hole, which is located on a small island. You can hear the sighs of relief, even from the experienced players, when the ball drops on the island and stays there. After a challenging round of golf, the club invites you to refresh yourself at its a la carte restaurant, HoleInOne; great food and wine with your competitor of a moment ago will clearly make it a day.
Just 19 kilometers toward Tartu, Suuresta Golf Club is the closest course to Tallinn. It opened with nine holes back in 2004, and this year the second nine were opened, making it a complete 18-hole course, which is perfect for the beginners, as there isn't much wind and the landscape is interesting but forgiving. They've also added saunas, where golfers can pamper their sore muscles after the game.
Joelahtme Golf Club, 25 kilometers from Tallinn toward Narva, promises to become one of the best in Estonia. What makes this course special is that it's situated in the Rebane Heritage Reserve, where you can find hundreds of points of interest, many of them on the golf course itself. The landscape varies in altitude by 40 meters, and picturesque ponds and trees make it an ideal place to spend a weekend, especially in one of the holiday chalets. The clubhouse has a 100-person restaurant, a sauna and even conference rooms, making it a perfect place to hold celebrations or company events.
