Iceland: Golfiest place on earth?

It may be time to start taking golf in Iceland more seriously. Paul Ingrassia, a reporter for Reuters, claims that Iceland is “one of the most golf-obsessed places on earth,” with a participation rate (10 percent) higher than you’ll find in the United States, Great Britain and other “mature” golf markets. The nation has just 65 courses, but that number translates as one for every 5,000 residents – a ratio that isn’t exceeded elsewhere. (Golf Digest says that Scotland has more courses per capita, but it only considers more populated nations.) The big negative on Iceland, of course, is its short season. But look on the bright side: The summer allows for play virtually 24 hours a day.