Byneset (Nord)

As per many of the courses designed by Steel and his associates, there is a minimalist approach here at Byneset. Subtle touches with some slight doglegs, some humps and hollows and careful use of bunkering, which make picking a line for the shot a challenge. The use of pot bunkers is not something that is common in Norway, depending on your luck or skill you might very well remember them well after your visit to Byneset.

The course starts out with a medium long and fairly wide par five, which should give most players a welcome, gentle start to the round. The 3rd is a good example of the subtleness of the design at Byneset. It’s a short par four with a slight dogleg left, the tee shot is over a hollow and there’s a plateau at 220 meters where you need to land the ball to avoid either a blind approach or a run out into two delicately placed bunkers. The approach is uphill to a semi blind green.

The 12th is another short par four with a distinct character, with the tee shot over a hump at 200 meters. A stand of tall firs on the left side has been left as part of the design and these have a clever impact on the sense of distance. Make sure to note the flag placement, as your approach might be semi-blind.

The routing at Byneset is a bit unusual, as it does not follow the more common fan pattern. The front nine is located nearest the clubhouse and the back nine starts far away from the clubhouse moving round the front nine before returning to the clubhouse.

Byneset closes with two tough holes. The 17th is a short par five, with a blind tee shot and a fairway that slopes right towards two pot bunkers. A solid drive will land in the hollow alongside the pot bunkers, but hopefully not in the bunkers. The second shot may also be semi-blind leaving a short approach to a fairly large green. The 18th is a particularly strong closing hole. A par four dogleg left measuring 400 meters from the medal tees, but the hole is uphill all the way, so it plays quite a bit longer. For your approach, a classic bump and run shot might be worth considering. If so, use the right hand slope to roll the ball on to the green.

When you reach the home green enjoy the sights of the open, flowing landscape and the fjord beyond. Hopefully you will have carded a good score as well as having enjoyed your round on this splendid course.