10 Best Golf Courses in Italy
Despite being a sport that is not very widespread in Italy, golf manages to attract over 87,000 fans in Italy, especially in Lombardy, the region with the highest number of fields and clubs in activity.
Most of the best golf courses are concentrated in northern Italy, but also in the regions of central and southern Italy, several courses offer breathtaking scenery and a gaming experience that satisfies the most demanding. Let’s see which ones are the best.
Golf club Villa d’Este
Via Cantù, 13, 22030 Montorfano – Website
The Villa d’Este Golf Club hosts one of the most famous, scenic, and challenging golf courses in Europe. Its construction dates back to the mid-1920s. In one century of operation, this exclusive golf club has been frequented by illustrious members of European royalty and Hollywood celebrities.
From a pure landscape point of view, the playing field faithfully reproduces a scenario of Scotland, that is, the place where golf is thought to have been born; the wide expanses of birch, chestnut, and pine trees, combined with the panorama dominated by the pre-Alps, create a satisfying and relaxing atmosphere.
The 18 holes present are scattered among many carefully studied natural obstacles, which offer the most experienced player the opportunity to demonstrate his skills to the challengers.
Castelconturbia golf club
Via Castelconturbia, 10, 28010 Agrate Conturbia – Website
The Castelconturbia golf club is the oldest golf course in Piedmont: it was built at the end of the 19th century at the behest of Count Gaspare Voli, who imported this sport from Scotland, a land he used to visit regularly.
The current course covers over one million square meters and includes 27 holes among ancient trees, ponds, and small streams. Castelconturbia golf club is currently included among the 10 best golf courses in Europe and has also been awarded the best Italian golf course title.
The last elements that charm the club are Lake Maggiore – the southern Piedmontese shore is less than 12 kilometers away – and Mount Rosa, which emerges from the horizon and can be observed from almost every point of the course.
Bogogno golf club
Via San Isidoro, 1, 28010 Bogogno – Website
The Bogogno golf club in Piedmont is a very young club but equally able to offer moments of fun and relaxation, also in function of the numerous services made available, such as the Bonora route, which extends over a very large hilly area, where you can find uncontaminated streams and woods; here there are 18 holes.
Or the Conte route: flatter than the previous route, it is characterized by the presence of artificial lakes of varying sizes; it also offers 18 holes, and in the outermost areas, it is possible to see the slopes of Mount Rosa.
Finally, the Practice Range is divided into small thematic areas; the path allows you to refine your technique and is accessible to anyone. The club also offers numerous other spaces equipped for individual or team sports: five-a-side football, tennis, and swimming.
Golf Club Milano
Via Regina Margherita, 25, 20853 Biassono – Website
The Milan Golf Club offers one of the most exclusive and prestigious golf courses in Italy and Europe, which is located within the splendid Royal Park of Monza, which extends over 700 hectares.
The works for the construction of the sports club began in 1928 and were coordinated by the British architect James Peter Gannon.
Players can choose from three different courses and 36 holes. Route 1: this is the initial part of the original route, which hosted six editions of the Italian Open; there are 9 holes. Route 2: this is the final part of the original route; also in this case 9 holes are available. Course 3: from a technical point of view, this is the most difficult and demanding course, as the turf is dismayed by many bunkers that make it more difficult to hit its 9 holes.
Circolo golf Torino la Mandria
Via Agnelli, 40, 10070 Fiano – Website
The Torino la Mandria golf club is located a few kilometers from the Reggia di Venaria, in Piedmont, in an area that was once the hunting reserve of the first king of Italy. The golf course was built in the mid-1950s, has 36 holes, and is completely devoid of roads, buildings or any other artificial element.
We have the Blue Course, the smaller of the two courses, with 18 holes. And the Red Course: this is the larger of the two and has 18 holes, which has a higher difficulty level.
In addition to the two main courses, there is also a field in which to train, which can accommodate up to 200 players at the same time and is equipped with a covered station in case of bad weather. A 36-hole pitch & putt golf course is also divided into four mini-areas.
Golf Club Monticello
Via Alessandro Volta, 63, Cassina Rizzardi – Website
Between Como and Milan is the Monticello Golf Club, which houses the prestigious Eagle Golf Academy and is the largest course in Italy, with its 36 holes and three courses. Red route: this is the historical route and extends for 6,410 meters. On it, there are 18 holes and to date, it has hosted seven editions of the Italian Open, a factor that has facilitated its positioning in the highest positions of the Italian ranking. Blue course: it also hosts 18 holes and has been designed to challenge players to a higher level of difficulty. Practice Course: as the name suggests, this is the space used for training for both beginners and professionals. The Eagle golf academy is one of the most elite golf schools and its staff includes some of the most popular sportsmen in golf.
Golf Club Le Betulle
Valcarrozza 2 13887 Magnano – Website
Located in the territory of Magnano, a small town in the province of Biella, Le Betulle Golf Club hosts a typical English-style golf course. The course extends for 6,497 meters and was designed by the British architect John Morrison in the late 1950s. Over the decades, it has hosted numerous national championships.
Each of the 18 holes of the course winds through chestnut trees, artificial lakes, oaks, and birches and has unique characteristics that make it different. The structure offers sports enthusiasts a series of services and accommodations whose “old-fashioned” furnishings can facilitate a pleasant journey into the past.
Verdura Resort Golf Club
S.S. 115, Km 131, 92019 Sciacca – Website
The Verdura resort is considered one of the most beautiful accommodation facilities in Sicily and currently occupies the nineteenth position in the world ranking of the 100 best golf resorts, that is to say, the luxury hotels that host spaces dedicated to the needs of golfers.
Firstly, the golf course of the structure overlooks the sea, in a very suggestive location, and is divided into three parts. West course: this is the largest course and consists of 18 holes, some of which are scattered along the coast, close to the sea. East course: offers 18 holes and there are many stretches of water and fairway bunkers, elements of the landscape that make the gaming experience more dynamic and engaging. Additional course: it is located in an area enclosed between the west and east course, and consists of 9 holes. Verdura resort is definitely recommended for anyone wishing to cultivate their passion for golf by the Sicilian sea.
Pevero Golf Club
Via del Golf, 20, 07021 Porto Cervo – Website
The Costa Smeralda is undoubtedly one of the best places to devote oneself to golf and the Pevero golf club field is indicated by many enthusiasts as the best in all of Sardinia. Built between the end of the 60s and the beginning of the 70s, the field hosted the Italian Open in 1978; the first route overlooks the Grande Pevero bay, while the second overlooks the Cala Volpe bay.
The golf course consists of 18 holes, divided equally between the two courses and there is also a space where the lessons of the Pevero golf academy are held, which both adults and children can follow. It is good to remember that northern Sardinia tends to be very windy, it follows that at certain times it could be difficult to score one’s throws.
Read also: Porto Cervo
Olgiata Golf Club
L.go Olgiata, 15, 00123 Rome – Website
The Olgiata Golf Club is located northwest of Rome, near the archaeological site of the ancient Etruscan city of Veio.
Built in 1961, the course is divided into two routes.
West course: the older of the two consists of 18 holes. It has hosted some of the most important national and international competitions, such as the 1968 and 1984 editions of the Professional World Team Championship.
The East route is the most recent of the two and is 42,947 meters long. It consists of 9 holes and enjoys full autonomy from the west course. The Olgiata Golf Club has 27 holes, and the lush pine forest surrounding it makes it one of the most beautiful courses in central Italy.