Swedish architect Christian Lundin of reGolf Design has almost completed working on the Halmstad Golf Arena practise facility in the south-west of the country. 

The Golf Arena is a unique facility, located next to the 27-hole Ringenäs Golf Club, and close to Halmstad Golf Club, host to the 2006 Solheim Cup. The 17 hectare site includes a driving range, short game area, academy holes and putting greens, including a Himalayas replica, all constructed with a links-style faux dunes look.

Directed by Lundin, Irish contractor SOL Golf Construction has moved around 100,000 cu m of earth to build the facility, which includes 16,500 sq m of green surface. The Himalayas green accounts for 6,500 sq m of this area.

“I believe the short game area is unique in the world of golf,” says Lundin. “Players can practice shots from 145m in two directions, and up to 90m in the other directions. All the PGA professionals who have seen the facility are very excited by the possibilities it creates. The idea is to enable practice in a form that is as close to real golf as possible.”

“It’s well known that most golfers don’t like to practice, so the aim of Halmstad Golf Arena is to make practicing as much fun as possible,” Lundin added. “In my opinion, this kind of facility is exactly what golf needs – it will allow people to have fun, but without taking more than four hours to play a game.”