Jackson Reid
Night golf, or midnight golf, is a golfing experience that takes place after dark. It is a way for golfers to squeeze in more time on the course, particularly during the shorter, winter days. There are at least 22 different night golf courses in the United States, and several places in Northern Norway that offer midnight golfing under the midnight sun during the summer months. The experience is described as enchanting and serene, with fairways and greens bathed in a soft glow of lights. The term midnight golfer was also used in a MadTV skit, in which it was used to describe someone who golfs at night.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Locations | Iceland, Norway, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Illinois, South Carolina, New York, Connecticut |
| Courses | Bodø Golfpark, Lofoten Links, Narvik, Tromsø, Highland Greens, Golf Center Des Plaines, Tupelo Bay, The Swing, Beacon Lakes Golf Course |
| Feelings | Magical, mindful, present in the moment, serene, thrilling, peaceful, enchanting |
| Advantages | More time, more golf, less heat, cheaper, more demand, bucket-list experience |
| Disadvantages | Difficult to execute, challenging to find balls in the dark, difficult to putt |
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What You'll Learn
Midnight golfing in Norway
Several golf courses in Northern Norway offer the opportunity to play under the midnight sun, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Bodø Golfpark, located on the shore, offers incredible views of the Lofoten mountains and the sea. Lofoten Links, nestled amidst the Lofoten Islands, provides a challenging yet rewarding adventure with holes carved amidst marshlands, sea, and mountains. The course is open 24 hours a day, allowing golfers to take advantage of the vibrant twilight sky.
In Narvik, golfers can tee off below the steep mountains by the Ofotfjord, while the course in Tromsø offers a direct view of the water. These courses showcase the unique blend of nature and tradition that Norway is known for, with deep forests, shimmering lakes, and towering mountains surrounding the fairways.
The midnight sun transforms the golf course into a magical landscape. As the floodlights cast long shadows, the greens take on a new life, almost glowing with a warm light. Norwegian veteran golfer Jens Kristian Hansen describes the experience as "intense... being present in the moment." It's no wonder that northern Norway has become one of the most sought-after golfing destinations in the world.
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Midnight golfing in Iceland
The experience of midnight golfing is quite different from daytime play. The golf courses, landscapes, and atmosphere take on a new character under the midnight sun. The Brautarholt Golf Course, for instance, is described as "unbelievably beautiful" for midnight golfing. It is recommended that golfers tee off earlier and finish their round just after midnight, as it can get quite dark and cold in the later hours.
Midnight golf in Iceland can be enjoyed on both 18-hole and 9-hole courses. One notable 18-hole course is in Akureyri, where golfers can witness the sun touching the horizon around 1 am before rising again. The Arctic Open Golf Championship, an international tournament held annually in late June, is another attraction for midnight golfers at the Akureyri Golf Club.
Golfers can take advantage of the extended daylight to play more holes, even fitting in a round before breakfast. The magical atmosphere of golfing under the midnight sun is described as "intense" and "mindful," with the warm light casting long shadows over the course.
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Night golf in the US
Night golf is a concept that many golfers are enthusiastic about. It offers a solution to those who want to play more golf but don't have enough time during the day. It also brings a more relaxed and social vibe, attracting younger golfers and families. While night golf under stadium lights is relatively unknown, there are at least 22 different night golf courses in the United States, spanning 13 different states. These include:
- Beacon Lakes Golf Course in Dickinson, Texas, which offers 6,777 yards of fully lit golf on its par-72 layout.
- The Swing, a 770-yard, 10-hole Par 3 course at the PGA headquarters in Frisco, Texas, which is the shortest night golf course.
- A 1,724-yard nine-hole course in Lewisville, near Lake Lewisville, which receives mostly four-star reviews.
- A 1,163-yard nine-hole course in Abilene, which features four short tee shots over water and stays open late until midnight.
- A six-hole course of 461 yards in Plano, meant for beginners, which stays lighted until 8 p.m. depending on the season.
- An 18-hole executive course in Amarillo, which offers night golf year-round until midnight and plays as a par 55 of 2,024 yards.
There are also night golf courses within a one-hour drive from major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Orlando, Pittsburg, and Salt Lake City. Additionally, there is a course just 90 minutes from New York City. While the exact number of night golf courses in the US is unclear, with estimates ranging from 19 to over 100, it is a growing trend, with more courses adding lights and night golf facilities.
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The Midnight Golf Program
Overall, the Midnight Golf Program is a transformative initiative that empowers young adults to reach their full potential. Through a combination of life skills training, proactive coaching, long-term mentoring, and the discipline of golf, the program equips its participants with the necessary tools to thrive in their academic, professional, and personal endeavours.
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MadTV's 'Midnight Golfer' skit
Midnight golfer refers to a nonsensical piece of slang popularized by a MadTV skit. While it sounds like "light in the loafers", it holds no actual meaning. The skit itself is a blaxploitation parody about Bob Dole, featuring a character, Roger, who is referred to as a "midnight golfer". The term is used derogatorily to describe an African-American man.
The skit brings to light the existence of night-time golfing, which is a real activity that takes place in several locations. Northern Norway, for instance, offers 24-hour golf courses during the summer months when the Earth's tilt towards the sun results in a midnight sun. Iceland also experiences 24 hours of sunlight during June and July, allowing golfers to play at midnight. The Arctic Open, an international golf tournament, is held in Iceland every year in late June, attracting golfers from around the world.
The magic of golfing under the midnight sun is described by Norwegian veteran golfer Jens Kristian Hansen as an intense feeling of being present in the moment. Surrounded by the breathtaking nature of northern Norway, golfing in the midnight sun is an extraordinary experience. The long coastline dotted with fishing villages and the shadows cast by the floodlight of the midnight sun create a fairy-tale-like atmosphere.
The MadTV skit, while using the term "midnight golfer" nonsensically, brings attention to the unique and enjoyable activity of night-time golfing in breathtaking locations.
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Frequently asked questions
A "midnight golfer" is a nonsensical piece of slang that was popularised in a MadTV skit. It is supposed to sound like "light in the loafers", which is a racist, derogatory term used to describe an African-American.
Night golf is a golfing experience that takes place at night, under stadium lights. There are at least 22 different night golf courses in the United States, and it is becoming increasingly popular due to its flexibility, accessibility, and the ability to play in cooler temperatures.
Midnight golf can be played in several places around the world, including Northern Norway and Iceland, where there is a midnight sun during the summer months. There are also night golf courses in the United States, such as Highland Greens and Beacon Lakes Golf Course, that use stadium lights to illuminate the course.
