Kajaanin Golf
Course
Designed by Pekka Sivula, the Kajaanin Golf course was completed in 1991. It is laid out on rolling terrain. The Syväoja stream, which flows through the area, comes into play on almost every hole. Two long par 4s favour long hitters, while the other holes reward a thoughtful player with good control of their irons.
Holes
An easy opening hole, where the best score comes from playing sensibly and avoiding risks.
Tee shot with a driver or fairway wood to the right of the two large pines. On the left is a lateral water hazard in the woods, and on the right slices end up on the seniors' hill.
Approach with a short or mid iron. In front of the green is a narrow stream that catches any shots left short.
Bunkers lurk on both sides of the green.
The green is easy, and the hardest pin position is in the front left corner.
A hole where taking a risk pays off, at least sometimes.
Tee shot with a driver over the woods on the right, or with a fairway wood skirting the woods.
Out of bounds runs along the right all the way to the green; there is plenty of room on the left.
Approach with a short or mid iron. Four trees in the middle of the fairway can make the approach more difficult.
Bunkers lurk on both sides of the green, and out of bounds lies in wait to the right of the green. The green is easy, and the hardest pin position is in the back right corner.
A straight hole with as much room as an airfield.
Tee shot with a driver to the middle of the fairway. On the left are two fairway bunkers, and on the right a fairway bunker and out of bounds all the way to the green.
Approach with a mid iron to a slightly raised green. The green is surrounded by bunkers.
A water hazard swallows approaches that go long.
The green is easy, and the hardest pin position is in the back left corner.
A long par 3, where you can be happy with a par.
Tee shot with a long iron or fairway wood.
Duffed shots end up in the water hazard and wayward shots usually in the bunkers placed around the green.
The green has some slight slopes, and the hardest pin position is in the back left corner.
A short hole where a birdie is on the cards.
Tee shot with a long iron or fairway wood along the edge of the woods on the left. Out of bounds runs along the left all the way to the green, with woods and long rough on the right.
Approach with a short or mid iron. Now is the time to fire the ball at the flag and the birdie is in the bag.
A bunker to the left of the green and long rough to the right.
The green is easy, and there is no difficult pin position on this green.
The course's only par 5, where it pays to avoid risks. Tee shot with a long iron or fairway wood to the middle of the fairway.
Out of bounds on the left, with long rough and a lateral water hazard on the right. Second shot with a mid iron to the middle of the fairway. Still out of bounds on the left and a lateral water hazard on the right. Approach with a short or mid iron over the stream. Now you need to be accurate, as there is out of bounds on the right and a lateral water hazard on the left.
Bunkers lurk in front of and to the left of the green. The green has big slopes and several difficult pin positions.
A long par 4, where the tee shot plays a key role.
Tee shot with a driver to the middle of the fairway. Out of bounds on the left and a lateral water hazard on the right.
Approach with a long or mid iron up a steep slope. A really challenging approach shot.
Two bunkers in front of the green and two more to the right of the green. Out of bounds runs along the left.
The green has big slopes that are hard to see with the naked eye.
The hardest pin position is in the back right corner.
An easy par 3, where it pays to avoid the left side.
Tee shot with a mid iron towards the green.
Tee shots that go left end up in a bunker or the lateral water hazard, and those that go right end up on the cycle path, i.e. out of bounds.
The front of the green is easy, but the back has big slopes.
The hardest pin position is in the back right corner.
A hole that will reward or ruin a round that has gone well so far.
Tee shot with a long iron onto the fairway in front of you, which leaves close to 200m for the approach.
The other option is to take the driver out of the bag and go straight for the green, which brings the out of bounds on the left and the safety net by the tee into play. Be ready to shout "FORE" too!
Approach to a raised green with a long iron or fairway wood if you chose the first option. If you chose the second option and managed to keep the ball in play, you only have a wedge left.
There are three bunkers in front of the green, so it is better to hit your approach a little long rather than short.
The green has some slight slopes and several difficult pin positions.