Gagnefs GK (Golfklubb), Djuras

After travelling from Saudi Arabia to Sweden to play in a tournament organized by one of our previous colleagues, we were looking forward to our time in Gagnefs GK (Golfklubb). Not just for the golf but for seeing old friends and colleagues once more. The tournament was the Crille Open and has been moved to Sweden since our colleague moved home.

Some of us who participated in the tournament with the founder himself Crister (second from right)

I had done a bit of research on the course before playing, and it looked good on paper. Was it going to live up to my expectations? Only one way to find out!

Below is my account of Gagnefs GK (Golfklubb) in Djuras.

Course layout (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆)

For a long hitter the course is relatively short. Most long hitters will take irons or fairway woods off a lot of the tees. Not me! My game plan is always to get as close to a green as possible and let my short game do the work. While the course is short, it is also tight. There are a lot of holes where you really need to plan your way around. Strategically placed clusters of trees, and lots of hazard areas make you think twice about going for the driver off the tee. (Some of these areas are non-accessible due to steep slopes so don’t go into them looking for your ball as it is dangerous).

The greens are quite small, (which I like), and can be difficult to hit even with a good drive away. There are a few dog leg holes but not many that are possible to cut corners on. On some holes there are elevation changes and these need to be taken into account especially when playing approaches. Thankfully there are not a major amount of bunkers on the course so if you are not a good bunker player don’t fret!

The par 5’s are reachable in two with big drives, but it’s a brave shot to take them on. The par 3’s are fair and not overly long. None of this 200+ nonsense you see on some courses!

The second par 5 is reachable for long hitters in two and even laying up you need to judge your distances correctly

If going for the third hole in two you need to be careful of a narrowing fairway which has trouble both sides

The first par 3 on the course is not too long but theres no real bailout area

Overall, a nice layout with lots of different and more importantly memorable holes.

Course condition (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆)

When we played the course the greens were just after being sanded. However, it had been removed the next morning and I didn’t find any issue with the greens. Maybe a little slow but again the remnants of any sand had an impact on that.

The greens had been sanded the evening before we played but were still in good condition

The fairways were good to hit from and I didn’t see any major areas where you could get caught in dry places or blame the condition of the course for a poor shot.

The fairways were mostly in good condition and nice to hit from as seen on the 9th hole above

The rough while challenging was as it should be; a punishment. While it was hard to hit out of if in the heavy stuff, it was still not too hard to find your ball. Again this is a good thing for amateurs as too often on other courses you get punished too much with a lost ball from going into the rough.

Around the course there were some little traditional huts and timber drying areas

For the bunkers, believe it or not I didn’t hit any in the two times I played the course, but from talking to others there may have been a bit too little sand in them. I prefer to see a lot of sand especially in greenside bunkers to allow for a good splash shot.

The only negative thing about the course was the condition of the tee boxes. There was not a lot of grass on them. But this was not an issue as on the tees the ball is on the tee anyway so it doesn’t make or break the hole. It was not enough to cause any complaints in my opinion.

Facilities (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆)

Gagnefs Golfklubb has a clubhouse with a very good restaurant, evidenced by the big crowds we saw there at lunchtime when passing on our way to go to the back nine. We also had food there ourselves as part of the tournament and it was excellent. There is a bar here also and a nice veranda area where you can look over the 9^th and 18^th holes.

The restaurant is quite popular on weekends with people coming for lunch and the food we had there was good

Outside the front of the clubhouse is a chipping and a putting green, and there is a driving range not too far from the 1^st tee. While the balls were not the greatest the range itself is good and is perfect for loosening up those tired and stiff muscles before your round.

In front of the clubhouse is a putting green and a chipping area

The range is well marked for distances but the balls weren't the greatest — The range is well marked for distances but the balls weren’t the greatest

Price (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆)

As we played as part of the tournament our green fees were included in the overall price, but from asking it is KR390 to play the course. For me this is a fair price and I would have no problem paying it to play again.

Setting & Course location (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆☆)

The location is close to the town of Djuras. It takes around 2.5 to 3 hours to drive from Stockholm.

For the location on Google Maps please click here.

Conclusion

I enjoyed my games at Gagnefs GK. I like courses that I can be rewarded for a hitting the ball long and (relatively) straight. Small greens make it more challenging to hit and precision is important. After the round it was a nice atmosphere sitting down outside chilling and watching other groups coming in. It felt relaxing, a bit like the whole area did, peaceful, calm, and quiet. I would definitely go back again to this course.

Me on the last after my second round and having enjoyed myself in Gagnef GK

OVERALL RATING – (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐☆☆☆)

Contact Details for Gagnefs GK (Golfklubb)

Website: Click here
Telephone: +46 241 601 00
Email: shop@gagnefsgk.com

Hole-by-Hole

All distances are for the yellow tees we played from. Indexes are men’s indexes.

Hole 1: Par 4, 336yds, index 7

The first hole is a hole long hitters can get close to on their drive. But the preferred shot is a fairway wood or iron out the middle. Beware of the tree on the left of the fairway; it’s a common thing to hit as evidenced by the missing bark! If too far right you will be in a hazard area.

The green has a little valley in front but apart from this is not that hard to hit. There is no real danger around the green to worry about.

Take a line (A) just to the right of the tree left of the fairway. Avoid the hazard area on the right (E).

Not a lot of trouble to hit this green (B)

Hole 2: Par 4, 312yds, index 17

The second is another short par 4 and you can get very close to the green with a good drive here. However it can be quite hard to stop your ball on the green when pitching. Don’t go too far left off the tee as you will be in the driving range and OOB. Too far right has you in one of the many hazard areas on the course. There is a bunker on the right and the back of the green.

Aim towards the centre of the fairway (A) making sure to avoid the OOB left (D) and the hazard on the right (E)

After a good drive its quite a simple shot to the green (B)

Hole 3: Par 5, 541yds, index 1

One of the best holes on the course in my opinion! There are two ways to play your drive; go to the left of the cluster of trees in the middle of the fairway or to the right. Going to the left is definitely the safer option. Going right has you flirting with the hazard area on the right and also doesn’t leave you a clear shot to the green if going for it with your second.

The fairway narrows drastically closer to the green and you need to be accurate with your second shot. If it goes left into the rough it will likely kick into the hazard area on the left. Too far right is also in trouble.

If going for the green on the second you can work the slope on the right hand side to help get the roll you need onto the green. A large mound on the front portion of the green can cause your ball to get extra roll on your approach so be mindful of this.

Make your choice, safe line (A) or dangerous line (C)! Avoid the hazard on the right (E)

If going for the green on your second try to use the slopes to help you (C). Otherwise play safe (A) avoiding the hazards (E1) and (E2).

Being safe down the middle in two leaves you a good chance to hit the green (B) on your next

Hole 4: Par 3, 148yds, index 13

The first of the par 3’s and by no means a comfortable one to score on! The tee box is slightly aimed left so make sure and take a line for your tee shot. Don’t rely on the direction of the markers. On the right is a tree which can catch your ball and throw it into a hazard area. Going left can cause your ball to take a nasty kick into another hazard area. There are two bunkers; one front left and one back left.

Take care of the danger left (E1) and right (E2) when going for the green (B)

Hole 5: Par 4, 388yds, index 3

The longest of the par 4’s on the course. Your tee shot needs to go through the two clusters of trees on either side of the fairway. Don’t go right as it is trouble in the hazard area.

For the approach shot the green slopes back to front. If you are going to miss try to bail out left as on the right is the hazard area again.

The ideal line (A) is between the trees but take care of the hazard (E) on the right

You need to watch for the hazard (E) again on your approach to the green (B)

Hole 6: Par 4, 317yds, index 15

You can be brave here by taking a line over the trees on the right to go towards the green. Alternatively play a safe shot between the groups of trees you can see by the fairway. The risk with going right is another hazard area.

Not a very difficult green to hit but it is protected by two bunkers; one left and one long right.

The safe shot is out the middle (A) but if long you can take a direct line (C) being wary of the hazard (E)

Going out the middle leaves you with a clear shot to the green (B)

Hole 7: Par 5, 519yds, index 5

Another difficult hole to judge if you haven’t played the course before! But another great par 5! Take a line down to the corner or if long you can take a small bit off the corner. Right is trouble and left will likely be in the trees and heavy rough.

If you have a good drive you can take the green on for the second shot but there is a portion of the lake that juts in just in front of the green so you need an accurate and precise shot to make it. The ideal option is a lay up in front of this.

The green slopes massively from back to front and if you are long and the pin is on the front good luck with your next shot!

Take the safe route (A) but beware of the hazard (E), otherwise go long (C)

If confident you can try to hit the green on your second shot (C) or else lay up to the corner (A)

The green (B) slopes from back to front and has a portion of the lake in front of it

Hole 8: Par 3, 180yds, index 9

Another par 3 awaits on this hole. The lake is in front of you but shouldn’t be an issue as it stops well before the green. If nervous then just play safe to the right of the green but you will be playing your next from rough.

You will be hitting over the lake again to hit this green (B)

Hole 9: Par 4, 339yds, index 11

This is an uphill par 4 but the drive is not the problem here. Just avoid the left hand side and you will be fine. Lots of room out right but you may have branch trouble from a tree. Your approach shot needs to be mindful of the elevation change and of the bunker at the front of the green. This green is one of the toughest on the course to judge due to the back to front slopes on it. Definitely a hole you want to stay below the hole on!

The tee shot on the ninth is straight up the hill (A) avoiding the hazard left (E)

You need to remember the elevation change when playing to the ninth green (B)

Hole 10: Par 4, 372yds, index 6

A slight dogleg to the right and another one where a lot of people will play safe out the middle. The brave option is to take a bit off the corner and leave yourself sitting on the 100yard mark in. Go too far right and you’re in trouble in the hazard area.

If you lay up you may still have to take a bit off the corner on your second shot but it shouldn’t be a problem. Two bunkers protect the left hand side of the green.

Play safe out the middle (A) or try to cut the corner if long (C) to leave a shorter approach in. Take care of the hazard right (E)

Your approach to the green (B) may still require you to cut the corner

Hole 11: Par 4, 301yds, index 16

A par 4 that you can easily get close to or on with the help of some of the slopes. Play a long drive just left of centre and you may find your ball has run onto the green. If you lay up with an iron or fairway wood there is a bail out area short right, but if too long right you are in trouble.

Not much danger around the green apart from rough and trees so it’s worth having a go at this one.

Straight down the fairway is the line (A) avoiding the OOB (D) and the trees (E)

Just take care of the trees on the right when hitting to the green (B)

Hole 12: Par 5, 525yds, index 2

This hole is a pretty straight par 5 but it’s best to hit the right hand side of the fairway to leave the ball come into the centre. Be careful of being too far right as it is heavy rough out here.

The fairway narrows for your second shot but if confident with your fairway woods you can try to get very close to the green. Otherwise take an iron down the centre to leave yourself a nice shot into the green.

Slightly right of centre is a good line on the tee shot (A) but dont be too far right (E)

The fairway narrows for your second (A) and you need to watch out for trees (E1) and (E2)

Once you are safely down the fairway in two the green (B) is not that hard to hit

Hole 13: Par 4, 361yds, index 8

Playing to the right side of this fairway close to the trees can leave you with a nice easy pitch to the green for your second if you’re long. However, drift a little offline and you will have no shot to the green because of the trees. The safe line is to the left side of the fairway. There is a deep valley in the middle of the fairway but it shouldn’t cause any problems as you should easily be over it.

The only danger on your approach shot is a bunker short right of the green.

Long hitters can take a line (C) to leave a short pitch in but the safe option is (A). Watch out for danger right (E)

Being long down the fairway leaves a short shot into the green (B)

Hole 14: Par 3, 180yds, index 10

Again quite a long par 3 to hit but there is lots of room left and right so don’t be too concerned. A bunker short left is the only risk around this green. Don’t be intimidated by the trees on the left and right of the passage between the tee box and the green as they fade away well before the green.

Theres a lot of room around the green (B) so dont be afraid of the shot

Hole 15: Par 5, 509yds, index 4

Probably the nicest looking hole on the course, and one of the toughest! Standing up high on the tee box you get a good view of the surrounding area and of the hole in front of you. You can take an aggressive line right on the corner of the fairway to leave a second shot that can reach the green. Or else play towards the left side of the fairway to be safe. There is a lake on the right so for a lot of people the left side is the best option.

Your second shot will also have to look out for the lake so stick to the left side of the fairway on your way down. There is a bunker on the right of the green to watch out for.

This elevated tee gives you a good vantage from where to choose your line, either safe (A) or aggressive (C) being mindful of the water (E)

With a good drive you can take on the green (C) making sure not to go right (E). Otherwise play safe down the fairway (A)

Staying left on the fairway leaves you a good oppurtunity to hit the green (B) in regulation

Hole 16: Par 4, 361yds, index 14

The next hole has you thinking about the lake again but this time on the right. The ideal line is in between the two large trees standing guard either side of the fairway.

A bunker short right of the green is the only danger around this green.

A good line for the tee shot is between the trees off the fairway (A)

There are trees to the left of the green (B) but its not too hard to hit

Hole 17: Par 3, 148yds, index 18

The last of the par 3’s and the easiest of them as well. There are two bunkers to worry about, one short right and one just behind it. It should be an easy green to hit but there is lots of bail out room around the green anyways.

This should be easy to hit this green (B) but theres lots of room around it anyways

Hole 18: Par 8, 306yds, index 12

So onto the last hole of the course. A similar hole to the 9^th but shorter. Don’t go right as there is a hazard area. If going long you can make it over the ditch in the fairway to leave a pitch to the green. The danger of this green is the slopes again. If you are above the hole it is extremely tough so try to stay below it. The green also slopes from right to left and is not an easy one to judge.

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