In Finland, a love for the great outdoors runs deep, even in the face of Mother Nature’s fierce temperament. Whether it’s snow, sideways sleet, or the drenching rains of November, the Finns are undeterred. If you’re skeptical, just take a stroll and watch as cyclists brave the biting cold of minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus four Fahrenheit). You’ll see one, then another, and soon you’ll realize that braving the elements is all in a day’s exercise.
This enduring affinity for outdoor activities is woven tightly into the fabric of Finnish life. Running trails and ski tracks wind through the forests, outdoor gyms punctuate the parks, and even the tiniest towns showcase their communal spirit with cycling paths that venture from their edges.
Tee Off for Free
Eveliina Salonen completed the Career Grand Slam in 2026, becoming only the third woman to win all four of disc golf’s Major championships. With much of her season spent competing in the US, her appearances at home are becoming increasingly rare. Photo: SFL / Marika Salmi
“Getting started is a breeze; anyone can play,” explains Eveliina Salonen, a professional disc golfer from Pirkkala, close to Tampere in southern Finland. “You only need one disc, and you can find one for about ten euros, so it’s quite affordable. Plus, being outside allows for a delightful three-hour walk without you even realizing it.”
Salonen has certainly been on her fair share of walks. After 14 years since her first toss at a free public course in Valkeakoski, she has ascended to the pinnacle of the women’s rankings.
Grand Slam and New Goals
Salonen calls Tampere Disc Golf Center one of her favorites, noting, “It might be the hardest one, but it’s built just for discs. I find it simply beautiful.” The World Championships were held there in Nokia and Tampere in 2025. Photo: DGPT/Joe Pimenoff
In June 2026, Salonen achieved a remarkable milestone by completing the Career Grand Slam, becoming only the third woman in history to win all four Major championships. Yet, she finds herself on the hunt for new challenges.
“Winning the Worlds left me feeling a bit empty,” she admits. “Now, I have to set new goals. I am fiercely competitive and want to make my mark among the greatest female disc golfers of all time.”
And do so she will—on her own terms. With long breaks between tournaments, Salonen often sees training as a leisurely outing with friends, opting for solo practice only when serious putting drills are called for.
“Once I return to competitions, I feel far more relaxed and at ease,” she adds.
All Over the Map
Finland’s top players hail from all corners of the country: Eveliina Salonen from Pirkkala, Silva Saarinen from Oitti in southern Finland, Henna Blomroos from Rauma on the west coast, and Niklas Anttila from Kuopio in the east. Photo: SFL / Marika Salmi
This sense of camaraderie extends to the professional circuit as well. Although Salonen, Saarinen, and Blomroos live hours apart, they often find themselves together on tour, a testament to Finland’s thriving female disc golfing scene. All three currently rank among the world’s elite, with Anttila also making waves in the men’s division.
The sport’s rising popularity in Finland is evident, boosted significantly in 2025 when the World Championships took place in Nokia and Tampere, marking the first such event held outside North America.
The European Championships will return to Finland in 2027, with defending champions Eveliina Salonen and Niklas Anttila among the home favorites. Photo: SFL / Marika Salmi
“The event was broadcast on a regular television channel, which introduced many viewers to disc golf for the first time,” Salonen recalls. “After that, I heard from countless newcomers who decided to pick up the sport.”
The championship delivered remarkable moments, including a nail-biting finish where 15-year-old Iida Lehtomäki led the women’s competition before ultimately finishing as the runner-up.
“Visiting public courses in Finland these days often means finding them brimming with young players and teenagers,” Salonen observes. “They approach it with such dedication and are eager to emulate their idols.”
On Course at Home
Finland is home to over 1,100 disc golf courses, making it the second highest in the world after the US. Most of these courses are free to play. Photo: DGPT/Joe Pimenoff
With even more opportunities on the horizon, disc golf is poised for another surge in visibility when the European Championships come to Tampere in July 2027, set to attract over 150 elite players from more than 25 countries. Salonen will be among them, defending her European title in her own backyard.
Given that she spends much of her season competing in the US, the ability to play at home is a rare and cherished experience for her.
“I value it more now than ever, being able to play in front of Finnish spectators, friends, and family,” she reflects.
Wherever her travels take her, a piece of Finland always accompanies her.
“I have a fondness for our chocolate, so I often bring some along, along with salmiakki [a salty licorice candy], to share with my friends in the US, hoping they’ll enjoy it.”
So far, Salonen admits, her American audience has been less than convinced by Finland’s famously polarizing salty treat.
But there’s still time. Anyone following her to Tampere in 2027 will find no shortage of salmiakki or world-class disc golf.
By James O’Sullivan, August 2026