Best Golf Courses in Italy

Known for its fine wines and exquisite cuisine, to the untrained eye Italy is a country with comparatively little golfing pedigree as opposed to Spain and other areas of Europe. However, those who adopt this view are in for a treat as you will learn that Italy is home to some of Europe’s leading golf courses and when you put this together with its incredible natural scenery and array of world renowned vineyards; it becomes hard to look past it as one of the great all round golfing destinations.

Becoming the host nation of the 2023 Ryder Cup has bolstered Italy’s reputation as golfing destination and put it on the map for all to see. Francesco Molinari’s victory at the 2018 Open Championship has also given Italian golf the boost it deserves. For those looking for some fun in the sun on some of Europe’s leading championship courses then make Italy your next golf holiday.

Read on to discover the courses our experts have played and consider the best in Italy or check out some of the best golf holiday deals in Italy >>

To some a par 69 layout maybe an unappetizing prospect however this is certainly not the case. With the magnificent Lake Montorfano as the centrepiece, the course winds its way through uniformly arranged Ash and Pine trees making accurate driving the order of the day.

Measuring in at a mere 6,391 yards it is easy to think you can simply bully your way round Circolo Golf Villa D’Este but its narrow fairways demand constant precision throughout the round, testing even the most talented golfers basic skills.

More info on Circolo Golf Villa D'Este >>

"Fairly short course but the par 3 holes are very demanding here along with the narrow fairways and elevation changes."
Max (European Team: Handicap 10)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Max about playing this course.

Golf Club Biella has rightly earned the reputation as being Italy’s leading golf course. English designer John Morrison has sympathetically blended the regions stunning natural landscape with fantastic golf course design to create a piece of golfing art.

Set in the foothills of the Alps, the pristine fairways glide over the undulating terrain whilst the rocky outcrops lie in wait for any errant tee shots. The glacial streams that flow through the course only add to its beauty and make it impossible to have bad round here regardless of how you play.

More info on Golf Club Biella >>

"The signature 16th hole encapsulates the essence of Biella; the high ground is the starting point for an exquisite hole, but also provides amazing views of the Alpine foothills and the magnificent woodland of the Piedmont landscape."
Ian (European Team: Handicap 1)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Ian about playing this course.

Marco Simone features undulating fairways, small greens that are often well protected and some of the best tee shots in the country. The layout has hosted the Italian Open and has undergone a major update ready for the 2023 Ryder Cup.

Originally not in our Top 10 list, the course updates have created a layout that offers unrivalled views of the stunning natural landscape with the course now being one of the most aesthetically pleasing in the region.

More info on Marco Simone Golf Club >>

"The 16th is an aexcellent hole with a creek running up the middle of the fairway."
Neil (European Team: Handicap 18)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Neil about playing this course.

Set in the stunning La Mandria Park, Royal Park I Roveri Golf Club boasts 18 glorious golf holes designed by legendary golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Snr. The course is characterised by its dramatic bunkers, beautiful water hazards and undulating greens which can be home to some tricky flag positions.

The amazing array of flora and fauna that resides at Royal Park I Roveri Golf Club combined with the Alpine backdrop make it one Italy’s most picturesque golf courses and with it being just 10km from the airport, do not waste any time in hopping off the plane and straight onto the course.

More info on Royal Park I Roveri Golf Club >>

"The course is characterised by elegantly designed bunkers, strategically placed water hazards as well as undulating greens to create varying challenging pin positions."
Ian (European Team: Handicap 1)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Ian about playing this course.

The saying “with age comes beauty” is definitely applicable to Acquasanta Golf Club. The course is considered to be the oldest in Italy and each year is still ranked as one of the country’s finest courses. In time with the era it was created in, the course is by no means long but instead poses golfers with a different challenge to the monster resort courses we have become accustomed too.

Players must be precise in their stroke play especially when playing the 17th which is downhill towards a green guarded by deep bunkers and streams. Hazards have earnt their name round Acquasanta as a trip in one will almost certainly leave you dropping a shot.

More info on Acquasanta Golf Club >>

"While not the longest, Acquasanta is a course in pristine condition and requires intelligent course management, especially on narrow fairways bordered by pine trees, cypresses and eucalyptus."
Ian (European Team: Handicap 1)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Ian about playing this course.

Regarded as one of the best golfing destinations in Europe, the outstanding 5 star resort has something for everyone to enjoy. The golf course is designed by world renowned Kyle Phillips who is responsible for creating some of the world’s best coastal courses. Here in Sicily, Phillips has thrown the modern day rule book out the window and conjured up a course reminiscent of some of the oldest and best links that line the Scottish coast.

Measuring in at 7,400 yards and with fairways that are bordered by breathtaking drops to the sandy beaches below, Verdura Golf course is not for the faint hearted. However, its’ variety of tee boxes means it presents an appropriate challenge for golfers of all abilities.

More info on Verdura East Course >>

"With dramatic coastline vistas and impressive natural landscapes, Verdura has been created with tournament golf in mind, however given the range of tees on offer golfers can play the course at a length suitable to them."
Neil (European Team: Handicap 18)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Neil about playing this course.

Another one of Robert Trent Jones’ masterful creations are the two loops at Castelconturbia Golf which are set in the foothills of the magnificent Alps. In typical Trent Jones fashion the course is littered with dramatic bunkers making pinpoint precision from the tee the order of the day.

The course has also played host to the prestigious Italian Open and is highly regarded by some of the European Tour’s greatest players. So if you are looking to walk where the pros have and test yourself on one of Italy’s finest courses then Castelconturbia Golf is a must play.

More info on Castelconturbia Golf Club >>

"Huge greens, guarded closely by rafts of colossal bunkers, are the predominant challenge here."
Ian (European Team: Handicap 1)

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Torino Golf Club is rich in history as it was designed by 11 players following the aftermath of WWI. In 1956, the club moved locations to the spectacular plains of the River Po and with John Morrison at the helm of the design committee, the course boasts a quintessentially British feel in the heart of some Italy’s most stunning scenery.

The special character of the course is due to the fact that “everything is built around golf”; there are no roads or buildings, or any other obstacles for you to avoid, except the stunning unspoilt natural surroundings.

More info on Circolo Golf Torino (Blue Course) >>

"Natural water hazards, such as streams and ponds, are constant obstacles as are the ancient trees which surround each of the holes."
Max (European Team: Handicap 10)

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Located just outside Europe’s fashion capital of Milan, golfers a treated to spectacular views of Lake Maggiore upon around at Bogogno Golf Resort. With vast bunkers lining the fairways and water guarding the greens, the 7,092 yard layout provides a stern test for even the most skilled golfers.

With stunning views and 18 glorious championship golf holes, those looking to play the best Italy has to offer must play Bogogno Golf Resort.

More info on Bogogno Conte Course >>

"Scenic views from the course include that of the Monte Rosa Massif as well as the beautiful Lake Maggiore."
Neil (European Team: Handicap 18)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Neil about playing this course.

Is Arenas Golf Club is the product of 3 of America’s most acclaimed golf course designers. The trio have created a course that merges perfectly with the surrounding scenery as the forest, sand dunes and four lakes are the focal point of which the course was built around.

Each hole is surrounded by towering trees which make for an incredible setting to play golf in and for those looking to see the spectacular Sardinian coastline then 17th will not disappoint you.

More info on Is Arenas Golf & Country Club >>

"The 17th hole deserves a special mention as you get fantastic views of the stunning western coast of Sardinia, and the 14th is the hardest hole on the course, a sharp dog-leg to the right leading up to the putting surface which is protected sand."
Ian (European Team: Handicap 1)

Call 0800 043 6644 to speak to Ian about playing this course.

Handicap: 1
Favourite Course: Le Golf National
My 'Expert' areas: France, South of England
Best trip I've done: Australia playing Royal Melbourne & Kingston heath
Where my next trip is to: South Africa

Give Paul a call on 0800 043 6644 to arrange your next golf break.