ROVANIEMI IN NORTHERN FINLAND is the “official” home of Santa Claus. The Santa Claus Village is a world famous Christmas tourist attraction. It also has two golf courses.
On the 9-hole Santa Claus Winter Course snow golf is played. Golfballs are orange. It’s 15 euros to rent clubs, but your set (3 irons and and a putter) comes with a sleigh.
Finns love their outdoor sports, witness their unusual recreations: Wife Carrying World Championships, Swamp Football World Championships, Rubber Boot Throwing. Cold doesn’t bother them. “It’s -30C today, but there are still a few players out there,” said course director Pia Lillberg. The greens are ‘whites’ and some are on frozen lakes.
The rules are largely the same as in normal golf, except that you hit the ball standing on a slip-proof matt. “If you miss the fairway you can see the hole in the snow and then you just dig the ball out. Santa’s Snow Golf Classic is held in December followed by a knees-up and mulled wine. Then presumably the golfers go back to their padded cells.
SPIKED GOLF SHOES are still popular, despite the rise of spikeless models. Not so much in Spain, but If you’re playing in difficult conditions, where you’re likely to slip on wet or uneven surfaces, having a solid pair of spiked shoes is a huge benefit. They can offer that extra level of support and traction, which can give confidence to put your best swing on the ball.
Adidas Tour 360 shoes are an update to an already popular model. The 360 incorporates a sockliner which “connects to the tongue to help your feet lock in on the shoes” (if you need help putting your shoes on you’ve got problems) There is also a Jet Boost in the heel, which sounds as though it would zoom you aloft like a James Bond Jetpack to soar effortlessly from hole to hole but actually just aids stability.
With a tough microfibre heel and smart leather uppers, but best of all, sharp spikes, which especially in Northern climes are essential. Nobody admires your smart pimple shoes if your sitting in the mud.
Chi Chi Rodriguez, playing with a lady who insisted on kissing him every time they made a birdie: “I can’t wait till we make an albatross.”
RORY MCILROY was the marquee drawcard after committing to the Australian Open for the next two years, and the Melbourne crowds responded, pouring in to watch him every day. His rounds of 71, 68 and 68, followed by a two-under 69 to finish the week at seven-under, drew alternate cheers and groans for the banana peel double bogey on Day 3 and the outrageous escapes from the rough on Day 2 just to make the cut.
McIlroy wished he could have been in contention and “been coming down the stretch and battling with the boys,” but the finale between Neergaard-Petersen and Cam Smith, in which Smith missed his short putt to force a playoff, kept the fans superbly entertained and helped lift Australian golf back into the limelight.
Rory admitted that adjusting to the sandbelt wasn’t easy, nor the classic Melbourne weather, with Thursday’s scorching heat and Saturday’s pouring rain, but the fans had been inspiring. “It’s been over 10 years since I played in the Australian Open and look at the scenes out there this week, the crowds were absolutely incredible. “
Notwithstanding Aussie Cam Smiths loyal supporters, Rory was the Mick Dundee of golf, and they couldn’t give a XXXX for anyone else.
GET YOUR delighted expression ready for those little presents: shot glasses printed with “Dad’s best Shot” and “Dad’s lucky Golf Socks.” You’ve got a drawer full from last year but who cares, it’s Christmas.
LASTLY: A senior golfer met his 23 year old opponent on the golf course one Christmas morning. “How come your wife lets you play golf on Christmas morning Alf?” asked the youngster. “Simple” said Alf, I leapt out of bed this morning and said “It’s a great morning for sex or golf!” and she said “You’ll Need a sweater.”
A Merry Christmas to all and happy golfing in 2026.
