H ans Christian Andersen was never into golf stories and most probably never played the game, but the country that meant so much to him most certainly is. There are now over 130 courses offering everything from classic parkland to challenging links. As with the rest of Scandinavia global warming is strongly evident, especially the winter of 2007-2008 which was the first time ever that the greens stayed open for play.

Aeroe Golf Club in Soby, Aeroe

Internationally Denmark enjoys a reputation as a comfortable and contented welfare state where people live long and happy lives. It has an egalitarian society, but retains the romantic trappings of a monarchy. It is peace-loving yet it expects all men to undertake national service.

This fortunate country, lying between the North Sea and the entrance to the Baltic Sea is one of Europe’s smallest states, slightly bigger than Switzerland. In Medieval times 9-12th century it was a major European realm exacting a tribute – called Danegeld – from England in return for restraining its sea going warriors, the Vikings. It once embraced provinces that today form Sweden, Norway (seeded to Sweden 1814), Schleswig Holstein (lost to Prussia in 1864) and Iceland, which became independent in 1944. The Faeroe Islands and the vast largely ice covered island of Greenland remain Danish, but are largely self-governing. Denmark itself consists of a western peninsula and an eastern archipelago of 406 islands of which 89 are populated. It is a low lying land – the highest point is 171 metres above se level. It is the most dissected country in Europe and has an immensely long coast – 7300 km.

Falster Golf Club, Eskilstrup

Copenhagen Golf Club amidst a deer park

The Tange So golf course and its sharp undulations will test the accuracy of all those who take its challenge. In Jutland the Royal Oak is another not to miss stopover.

Denmark has a population of approximately five million and like most Scandinavians they speak English fluently. The Danes enjoy one of the highest standards of living of those in the European Community. Strangely enough they are not as enthusiastic about their high level of taxation! Climatically the country is similar to the British Isles with rainfall throughout the year with warm, rather than hot summers and slightly colder winters.

Himmerland Golf Club in Gatten

Proark Golf, Skoldensholm

The Danes are a very relaxed people, not as formal as the Germans, nor as informal as the Italians. Their fishing industry is one of the world‘s largest and they export considerable raw materials such as granite and chalk but their most famous export has got to be Lego which comes from Jutland and naturally their most famous son has to be Hans Christian Andersen.

A shop just dealing with Hans Christian Andersen merchandise

Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen

End