Italy golf: reference data
Total courses: ~400 registered clubs | Best regions: Tuscany, Rome area, Piedmont Langhe, Lombardy Lakes, Sicily | Green fees: €40–60 (provincial); €80–120 (resort); €120–150 (top destinations) | Season: Year-round in Sicily, Sardinia, Campania. April–November elsewhere | Ryder Cup 2023: Marco Simone, Guidonia Montecelio (Rome)
How do you want to see it?
Lazio, ItalyCompare the same experience on GetYourGuide and Viator, save what you like to My Trip, share it, and book when you’re sure. Nearest to this page first.
Why Italy is underrated as a golf destination and what the 2023 Ryder Cup changed
Italy's absence from the global golf tourism conversation is a historical accident. The country has a golf tradition dating to the late 19th century (the oldest Italian club, Circolo Golf Roma Acquasanta, was founded in 1903. Golf Club Milano at Monza dates to 1928), a climate suitable for year-round play in the south, and several courses that genuinely compete with the best of Spain or Portugal on course quality and setting. The gap between reality and reputation reflects the dominance of other sports (football, cycling) in the Italian cultural self-image and the relative weakness of Italian golf tourism marketing compared to Spanish and Portuguese equivalent. The 2023 Ryder Cup, the first on Italian soil, changed this conversation: the global television audience of approximately 250 million for the 3-day event saw the Italian landscape, the Rome setting, and the Marco Simone course in a format that no previous Italian golf marketing had achieved. Post-Ryder Cup, interest in Italian golf tourism has grown significantly.
Italy Golf Courses: tours & tickets
Compare guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and day trips for Italy Golf Courses.
See availability & prices →We may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.Tuscany golf, the wine estate courses
Castiglion del Bosco Golf Club (near Montalcino, Siena province): An 18-hole Tom Weiskopf-designed course on the Castiglion del Bosco estate, one of the major Brunello di Montalcino wine producers. The course plays through the estate's vineyards and Tuscan oak woodland, with views of the Val d'Orcia and the fortified village of Castiglion del Bosco. Green fees approximately €100–150 for 18 holes. The estate hotel (converted farmhouses within the medieval village walls) gives accommodation. Stay packages combining golf and wine tasting are the main offer. The combination of walking a good golf course through active wine vineyards with the Val d'Orcia landscape visible throughout is specific to Castiglion del Bosco and essentially impossible to replicate elsewhere in European golf.
Golf Club Castelfalfi (near Montaione, Florence province): 18-hole course at the Castelfalfi resort, developed from a derelict medieval village into a resort with golf, hotel, spa, and restaurant. The course plays through oak and chestnut woods with Florence hills views. Difficulty is moderate. Green fees approximately €80–120. Accessible as a day trip from Florence (50 km, 45 minutes) or as multi-day stay. Golf Club Ugolino (Impruneta, 10 km from Florence center): The historic Florentine golf club, founded 1889, 27 holes in the Chianti Classico hills. A good option for a Florence-based golf day without resort accommodation. Green fees approximately €70–90.
The Rome area. Marco Simone and the Appia Antica course
Marco Simone Golf and Country Club (Guidonia Montecelio, 30 km from Rome): Host of the 2023 Ryder Cup. The Dave Thomas-designed course was substantially upgraded for the event. The infrastructure additions (including the European Team Village, grandstand positions, and course refinements) are permanent improvements. The course is challenging, water hazards on several holes, elevation changes, and the specific pressure-course design that the Ryder Cup format requires. Green fees approximately €80–130. The Marco Simone visit carries the specific appeal of playing the course where Europe beat the USA 16.5 to 11.5 in September 2023.
Circolo del Golf Roma Acquasanta (via Appia Nuova 716/A, Rome): One of the oldest Italian golf clubs, founded 1903, with a 27-hole course in the Appia Antica archaeological park, visible Roman ruins and ancient aqueduct arches from several fairways, making it one of the most historically atmospheric golf settings in Europe. Green fees approximately €70–100. The course is 20 minutes by car from central Rome. Membership enquiries or green fee tee times via the club website.
Is Italy a good golf destination?
Italy is an underrated golf destination with approximately 400 courses, several of genuine international quality, year-round season in the south, and the unique advantage of combining golf with Italian wine, food, and cultural tourism. Best courses: Castiglion del Bosco (Tuscany, through Brunello vineyards), Marco Simone (Rome, 2023 Ryder Cup host), Circolo del Golf Roma Acquasanta (through Roman archaeological landscape), Il Picciolo Etna (Sicily, Etna views). Green fees are generally lower than equivalent quality in Spain or Portugal. The 2023 Ryder Cup significantly raised Italy's golf profile.
Where was the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy?
The 2023 Ryder Cup was held at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Guidonia Montecelio, approximately 30 km northeast of Rome. It was the first Ryder Cup on Italian soil. Europe defeated the USA 16.5 to 11.5. The course, designed by Dave Thomas, was substantially upgraded for the event. These improvements are permanent. Green fees approximately €80–130 per round. The course is accessible from Rome by car (30 minutes) or taxi. No direct public transport. Tee times bookable at the club website.
What is the best golf course in Tuscany?
The best golf course in Tuscany is generally considered Castiglion del Bosco Golf Club (near Montalcino, Siena province). 18 holes through Brunello di Montalcino vineyards with Val d'Orcia landscape views, redesigned by Tom Weiskopf in 2003, green fees €100–150. Golf Club Castelfalfi (near Montaione, €80–120), Golf Club Ugolino (Impruneta/Florence, €70–90), and Saturnia Golf Club (near the thermal spa town, €60–90) are other well-regarded Tuscany options. All Tuscan courses operate April through November.
Is there year-round golf in Italy?
Yes, in southern Italy and the islands. Sicily has several courses operating year-round: Il Picciolo Etna Golf Resort (near Etna, €60–90, 18 holes with volcano views), Donnafugata Golf Resort (Ragusa province, two 18-hole courses, €70–100), and others. Sardinia has several coastal resort courses open year-round in the south. The Pevero Golf Club near Porto Cervo operates through most of the year. In Campania, the courses near Naples and the Amalfi coast operate year-round in mild conditions. Northern Italy courses (Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto, Lombardy) are typically open April through November.
How do I book golf in Italy?
Booking Italy golf: for destination resort courses (Castiglion del Bosco, Castelfalfi, Marco Simone, Il Picciolo), book via the resort website, the golf component is typically part of a package with accommodation. For day-play at clubs (Ugolino, Acquasanta, Donnafugata), contact the club directly via their website or telephone for green fee availability and tee times. The Italian golf federation website (federgolf.it) has a course directory. In peak season (May–October for northern Italy. January–March for Sicily), book 2–4 weeks in advance for popular courses. Winter tee times at Tuscan and Lazio courses are available with minimal advance booking.
Planning an Italy golf holiday?
Castiglion del Bosco Brunello golf + Marco Simone Ryder Cup + Etna volcano fairways. Italy's best courses with wine and history included.
Plan my Italy golf trip →
Golf in the Italian Lakes. Lombardy and Piedmont lake courses
The Italian Lakes (Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Lake Garda, Lake Orta) have a concentration of golf courses in the late 19th-century English tradition, the British and Central European aristocracy and industrialists who built their villas on the Lombard lakes in the Belle Epoque period established golf clubs as part of the resort infrastructure. Circolo Golf Villa d'Este (Montorfano, near Como) was founded in 1926 and plays through the Como lake foothills. Green fees approximately €90–120. Golf Club Bogliaco (Lake Garda) is one of the most scenically positioned courses in Italy, with some fairways effectively on the lake shore. Founded 1912, green fees approximately €70–100. Golf dei Laghi (near Lake Maggiore) combines island and lake views. The Lakes golf circuit, combined with villa gardens (Villa del Balbianello, Villa Carlotta), lake boat tours, and the Como town center, gives one of the more complete Italian golf tourism experiences for golfers interested in setting over difficulty.
What is the Donnafugata Golf Resort in Sicily?
Donnafugata Golf Resort is a wine estate and golf resort near Ragusa in southeastern Sicily (UNESCO Val di Noto zone), with two 18-hole courses: the Parkland (through Mediterranean macchia and vineyard terrain) and the Stony (through the rocky Sicilian limestone landscape, more dramatic topography). The Donnafugata estate is also a major Sicilian wine producer. Stay packages combine golf, wine tasting, and accommodation in converted stone farmhouses. Green fees approximately €70–100 per course. The Val di Noto UNESCO zone (Ragusa Ibla, Scicli, Modica, Noto baroque towns) is adjacent. A Sicily trip combining golf at Donnafugata with the Val di Noto baroque towns and Siracusa is the standard southeastern Sicily circuit for cultural golfers.
What are the best golf courses near Rome?
Golf courses near Rome: Marco Simone Golf and Country Club (30 km northeast, 2023 Ryder Cup host, €80–130). Circolo del Golf Roma Acquasanta (20 km southeast, 1903-founded, 27 holes through the ancient Via Appia landscape with Roman ruins on fairways, €70–100). Golf Club Fiuggi (80 km southeast, near the famous thermal spa town, 18 holes in the Lazio Apennines, €50–70). Golf Club Fioranello (15 km south, compact course within Rome's commuter zone, €50–70, the most convenient for a quick Rome golf day). The Marco Simone + Acquasanta combination gives the widest contrast: modern Ryder Cup design versus historic early 20th-century layout in two different Roman landscapes.
Do I need to be a club member to play golf in Italy?
No. Italian golf clubs accept green fee players (green fee visitors, as they are universally called) without membership at the vast majority of courses. Some private clubs require an introduction from a member for weekend play. Call ahead for private clubs. Resort courses (Castiglion del Bosco, Castelfalfi, Il Picciolo, Donnafugata) are entirely open to green fee bookings without any membership. You'll typically need to show a handicap certificate (from your home golf association) or sign a declaration of golf competence at more prestigious clubs. Casual visitors without formal handicap can play at most resort courses with a simple skills declaration. Dress code: collared shirts and tailored shorts or trousers standard at all Italian clubs.
What is the Italian golf season?
Italian golf season by region: Sicily, Sardinia, Campania, Puglia: year-round play possible, most courses open 12 months, peak conditions October–May (avoiding summer heat). Lazio, Umbria, Tuscany: April–November reliable, December–March possible in mild winters but some courses close or reduce hours. Northern Italy (Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, Friuli): April–October reliably. November–March many courses close or are unplayable. The Alps and Dolomites: summer golf only, June–September, with specific high-altitude courses that close entirely October–May. The optimal Italian golf season for most destinations is April–May and September–October: comfortable temperature (18–24°C), dry fairways, and availability without the summer peak pricing.
What handicap do I need to play golf in Italy?
Most Italian golf courses require players to have a handicap (certificato di handicap from their national golf federation) or to sign a declaration of competence (dichiarazione di giocatore di golf). The standard Italian Golf Federation requirement is a national handicap certificate. Visitors from EGA member countries (all European golf federations) can present their home federation handicap card. Some resort courses (particularly those marketed primarily at tourists) accept a simple self-declaration without verification. Handicap limits: most Italian clubs accept any official handicap. A few prestigious clubs set maximum handicap limits for weekend play (typically 28 for men, 36 for women). Contact the specific club in advance if uncertain about their handicap policy.
