With it´s dry high arctic and stabile climate, icebergs, pure environment north of the Polar Circle, only a few mlllimetre of snowfall during the winter Uummannaq, Greenland offers the best, most extreme and spectacular ice golf course on earth.
 
The real architect of the course every year is the ocean, which interacts with the weather and the formation of icebergs in January and February to create an external framework for the course.
 
The course itself is laid out in March on the fjord ice, close to the town a week prior to the actual championship. Its shape is determined largely by the positions of icebergs in the fjord.
 
The couse is a nine holes par 35 or 36 and consist ideally of 5 par 4’s, 2 par 3’s and 2 par 5’s. The distance is about 5-7% shorter than a normal average golf course (5.400 – 5.800 metre for 18 holes).
 
Be prepared for the fact that the foundation is variable and can be very different from hole to hole. On one side of an iceberg there can be a lot more snow than on the other, and the ice is very different to that on a European ice rink. Over the very hard ice surface lies a layer of approx. 1-2 cm frozen "powder", which makes the surface itself rough and uneven.

The "green" is white and the ball is red, but apart from that ice golf is very similar to traditional golf, although it is necessary to adjust the course itself and the rules of the game to suit the unusual conditions that prevail on the ice. After a few strokes, however, the players very quickly get a feel for the special conditions.
 
Records cannot be beaten hole-by-hole, day-by-day or even event-by-event as the course is constantly altering as movements in the pack-ice allow new jutting outcrops of ice to emerge into the course.
 
 

The tournament is played over 36 holes stroke play over 2 days. 9 holes are played in the morning and 9 holes are played in the afternoon both days. Thus a stipulated round is 9 holes, a break may be taken and clubs may be changed.
 
 
World Ice Golf Champion is the player with the lowest gross score after 36 holes. There are also prizes for the best players in two handicap groups A and B, which is decided by Stableford.
 
 
Maximum number of participants is 20. Maximum handicap is 36.
 
 
In the event of a tie for first place, the winner will be determined by a sudden death play off. All other ties will be determined by count back in this order: the last 18 holes, last 9, last 6, last 3, last 2 and last hole, lowest handicap, by draw.
 
 
Players from countries using the CRS system will play from their Handicap index. Players from Countries using the SSS system will play from their usual handicap.
 
 
Red tee – Ladies. Yellow tee – Men. 
 
The competition will be played in accordance with Rules of Golf as approved by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews 2000, and additional local rules and conditions of competition as approved by the tournament committee.
 
 
1. A ball lying “through the white”, see rule 25-2, may – without penalty – be moved or may be lifted, cleaned and placed within a club length of where it originally lay, but not nearer the hole. After the ball has been moved or placed and is at rest, it is in play. From this new position the ball must not be moved or placed again. Note: the position of the ball to be lifted should be marked.
 
2. Whites” will be defined by a small wall of snow or a red line. The whites may prior to a shot be smoothed with a scraper provided for the purpose. Thus the putting line may be touched and improved.
 
3. If a ball is lost, a new ball may under penalty of one shot be put in play, at a point as close as possible to the spot where the original ball is deemed to be lost. (No loss of distance).
 
 
Prices will be awarded in accordance with the Amateur Rules as recommended by the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews Presentation will take place during the Gala Dinner at Hotel Uummannaq. A short presentation will also take place on the ice immediately after the tournament is finish.
 
 
The committee will consist of a Tournament Director and a referee. Any rules matters will be decided by him and his decision is final (Rule 34-2).
 
  Golf clubs with a steel shaft are best in the cold.
 
A recommendation is to bring a half set: 3, 5, 7, 9, PW, SW and maybe driver and 5 wood, or just a 3 wood.
 
The organisers recommend barebags, as trolleys cannot be used on the course.
 
Balls are issued at the tournament.
 
 
Uummannaq is reknowned for its very stable climate, often having high pressure weather systems over the region in both summer and winter, bringing stable weather and many hours of sunshine. Nevertheless, you need to be prepared for practically anything when it comes to the weather in Greenland.
In March, when the world championships are held, the average temperature is minus 13.9 degrees Celsius, but temperatures as low as minus 25 can occur. However, the cold feels less bitter than one might expect, due to the dry climate and the strong sunshine.
 
  Sun rise 06:07 AM WGT
Sun set 07:08 PM WGT
Length of day: 13h 02m
Length of visible day: 15h 12m
 
 
Good advice from Annika Östberg winner 2000/2001 To compete in a championship such as The Drambuie World Ice Golf Championship a little preparation is needed, which those who experience cold winters in their own country can do at home on your own home course. It's sometimes VERY cold in Uummannaq and therefore absolutely necessary to have warm clothes. Instead of wearing one very warm jacket however, it´s much better to wear several layers of clothes so that it is easier to swing and you can adjust how many layers of clothes you need at the beginning and then towards the end of the round. It ´s also a good idea to practise using winter golf gloves, which is definitely a necessity when playing in Greenland. On your feet you need some warm boots -golf shoes are not a good idea! And don´t forget some good sunglasses for the bright sun! When you are all set to start playing some good advice is to always be aware of the beautiful nature which is to be seen everywhere! Playing golf on ice is not easy and the ball will make some crazy things but be patient and enjoy! A good sense of humour will always get you far. Good luck!