It’s time for no 2 out of 2 my weekly instalments of visits to Swedish Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest courses. Hills Golf Club, who opened their first holes for play back in 2004, was the dynamic duos first course in Scandinavia.
The 18 holes are laid out on severe and hilly terrain and demanded a initial budget of around 10 million dollars (excluding club house, driving range etc), with memberships sold for around 40 000 dollars each.
It is kind of a typical American forest course complete with carth paths, white bunker sand and a bunch of holes in the traditional risk and reward vain.
The sites hilly topography has resulted in lots of elevated tee shots. Yes, you will get some nice views but also some repetitive strategic options (drive the bunkers to the right or take the safe but longer route to the left). Other holes surprised me, positively, with exciting blind/semi blind approach shots that occurred when I placed an errant drive on the wrong side of the fairway.
Similar to their other Swedish course Sands GC, the par 3’s failed to impress.
Hills GC would be considered as a decent middle of the road daily fee back in the states. In Sweden it is one of a kind, budget and finish wise, and will therefore be considered as one of the top ten courses in the country. I wouldn’t trade nine holes at Falsterbo (my personal number one in Sweden) for a day at Hills GC, but are still looking forward to frequent play when visiting Gothenburg.
4th, par 4
7th, par 4
10th, par 4
11th, short driveable par 4
14th, par 4
17th, par 4