3 reasons to book a golf holiday to Italy

One of Europe’s most picturesque countries, Italy is an ideal location for a golf trip.

With most destinations just a couple of hours away from the UK, and a wide variety of golf on offer, look no further than Italy for your next adventure.

From luxurious resorts to city breaks, Italy offers a tremendous array of options for tourists. The golf on offer is fantastic, and golfers can often find year-round temperate climates, yet visitors will find considerably quieter fairways in comparison to some of its European neighbours. As such, it makes Italy the ideal destination for those who perhaps are looking for a slightly more relaxed golf trip - one where you can enjoy ‘Millionaires golf’ all year round.

Along with brilliant quality golf, Italy offers arguably the finest selection of culture, scenery, and cuisine. Known for one of the widest offerings of fine wine, and what many would consider the world’s greatest cuisine, it truly isn’t to be missed. Across the nation, visitors will find some of the best local food and drink, from pinot biancos to pizza and pasta.

During the summer months, Italy truly comes into its own. If you would like to visit deep blue lakes, mountainous vistas or the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, Italy has you covered. Equally, for those who are in search of a luxurious trip to destinations such as Rome, Tuscany or Sardinia, there are a plethora of options to choose from.

If you want to experience world-class golf in spectacular surroundings, Italy is the place to be. Golf in Italy is truly like nowhere else on the planet. When discussing golf in Italy, the first region on the page must be Rome. Not only is Rome one of the world’s greatest cities, but it is also home to some superb golf. Arguably the most notable golf club in Italy in 2022 is Marco Simone, the host of the 2023 Ryder Cup.

Marco Simone itself is a former host of the Italian Open, and was originally designed by esteemed course architect Jim Fazio in the 1980s. It has recently been redesigned and rerouted for the 2023 Ryder Cup, by Tom Fazio II, Jim’s son. It is a challenging course that, whilst offering plenty of excitement for the world’s best, still gives the everyday golfer a wonderful on-course experience. Add to this the views across eye-catching nearby lakes and the Marco Simone Castle, and you have arguably one of Europe’s finest golf locations.

On the Mediterranean coast, you find one of Italy’s finest courses, Verdura. The resort, set along two kilometres of private coastline, offers a superb championship course made up of a number of sea-facing holes, with intricate and challenging holes weaved in throughout. On top of the 18-hole course, visitors can use the 9-hole short course, a well-equipped driving range, a pitch-and-putt, and a high-quality performance institute and golf academy.

In addition to the high-quality golf offering, Verdura is widely regarded as one of the best and most luxurious golf destinations across the nation. Furnished in a fresh contemporary style that reflects the essence of Sicily, the guest rooms at the five-star Verdura Resort provide an elegant and relaxing space. Set across 230 hectares of olive groves and countryside, the rooms are in two distinct types of building - Courtyard and Landscape, which are woven subtly into the landscape and offer a real sense of privacy and space. Additionally, Verdura boasts four splendid restaurants and five vibrant bars, each in its own unique setting. Thus, Verdura is sure to offer every single one of its guests a luxurious, relaxing experience.

When discussing world-class golf in Italy, it would be remiss not to include Royal Park Roveri, located just outside of Turin. Many would describe Royal Park as the perfect golf complex, a statement which is very difficult to dispute. Royal Park offers two championship courses, the first of which is the Pramerica Course, which is the more playable of the two courses available – and is much more approachable for the casual golfer. The other course at Royal Park is the Trent Jones Course, currently ranked as Italy’s number one course. The Trent Jones is certainly suited for the better golfer, with tighter tree-lined fairways, water hazards aplenty, and tricky greens. It is certain to provide some brilliant on-course memories.

For those in search of an easy, relaxing, yet luxurious golf holiday, Italy has plenty to offer. Resorts such as the aforementioned Verdura are found across the nation, from Sicily, to Rome, to Tuscany.

One of the must-visit resorts can be found deep in the Tuscan countryside; La Bagnaia Golf & Spa Resort Siena - which is a glorious retreat comprised of two medieval villages, beautifully preserved and now repurposed to feature a variety of unique and authentic rooms. La Bagnaia features a delightful 18-hole course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, that harmonizes beautifully with the gentle hills of Siena, providing one of the finest golfing experiences in continental Europe. Visitors can also make use of a majestic clubhouse with beautiful views of the surrounding landscape, and a full spa and leisure facility on site.

Next up is Castelfalfi. A medieval jewel also found within Tuscany, it is surrounded by the enchanting scenery of vineyards and olive trees stretching as far as the eye can see. There are 27 holes of golf on offer; a 9-hole Lake Course for the casual golfer, and an 18-hole Mountain Course, a championship standard layout that is among the most difficult in Italy. For guests to Toscana Resort Castelfalfi, the five-star Il Castelfalfi is an exquisite hotel that provides a truly premium experience that includes high-speed WiFi, a minibar, and much more. Castelfalfi offers a truly memorable golf holiday.

For those searching for a premium resort experience in Northern Italy, look no further than Bogogno Golf Resort. The environmentally-friendly resort, which opened in 2014, is one of the most prestigious in the region. A smaller hotel, that does not lack in amenities, complements two fantastic golf courses; the Bonora and the Del Conte. The two courses are widely regarded as some of Italy’s finest golf holes, as they cascade over undulating land with spectacular scenery. Both courses are championship standard and offer a challenge that all golfers can enjoy. Golf tourists can also find wine and cheese tastings nearby, offering the perfect opportunity to sample the local culture and cuisine. What’s more, the Italian lakes and the beautiful city of Milan are both less than an hour’s drive away!