When it comes to introducing golf to new areas of the world, the environment/climate is usually one hazard that requires some ingenuity and resourcefulness to overcome. For example we've covered the use of Artificial Turf and Grey Water in desert areas, and even Urban Golf, and Pasture Golf , but Ice Golf?
Why is it "environmentally friendly"? I'm not sure that it particularly is, but I can't see why it particularly isn't either. There are a few indoor golf facilities in cooler climates which prove to be energy intensive and seldom attract the crowds needed to sustain business. However on the permanent ice on the West coast of Greenland in an area called Uummannaq, 300 miles within the Arctic Circle, they seem to be able to attract golfers despite the -30 C weather.
Each year since 1997 Uummannaq hosts the World Ice Golf Championships which has seen golfers from all over the world compete for the title, they even have a "Uummannaq Ice Golf School" set up by the municipality to help locals and visitors understand the rules and techniques specific to Ice Golf. The courses don't consist of much; a designated tee box, and a smoothend "green" with a flag. Golfers use brightly colored balls that stand out on the white back ground so they can easily find there balls, I wonder if speed-of-play is a concern?
The championships are coming up soon, March 19th-24th, so be sure to pack your parka!
Uummannaq is not the only place you can play Ice Golf, check out this funny video from Georgetown PEI Canada about their attempts to set up a course, and championship on a frozen harbor.
1 comments:
Wow, these people are brave. Just goes to show you the love of golf just can't be beat!
I own a golf simulator / swing analyzer systems company (www.par2pro.com) and have seen a huge influx of people who want to play golf in the winter, just not out in the cold :)
Keep Your Eye On The Ball,
Cory
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