Despite golf in Italy having a long tradition—the Italian golf federation was founded in 1927—the sport has not yet captured the imagination of the public like football has.
Better known for fine wines and delicious food, Italy does have around 260 golf clubs dotted across its boot-shaped territory, although most of them are concentrated in the north.
Hosting the 2023 Ryder Cup in Rome was a landmark moment, five years after Francesco Molinari became the first Italian major winner when he lifted The Open trophy.
So, to get ahead of the field check out our top five favorite golf courses in Italy and combine them with a city break for a vacation you won’t forget.
Image Credit: Rocco Forte Hotels. Image Location: Verdura Resort, Sicily, Italy
Best Golf Courses in Italy
Marco Simone Golf and Country Club
Just 10 miles from the city center of Rome, Marco Simone hosted the 2023 Ryder Cup won by Team Europe to put golf in Italy firmly on the map.
Named after the castle of Marco Simone—a Roman fortified farm and then medieval tower—the golf course was built in 1989 after Italian fashion designer Laura Biagiotti and her husband Gianni Cigna bought the estate.
Host of the Italian Open on four occasions, the par-72 course runs for 6,343 meters and has seen the layout updated to offer unrivaled views of the natural landscape as well as the Eternal City, including St Peter’s Basilica in the distance.
Verdura Resort
Designed by renowned American architect Kyle Phillips, the golf club at Verdura Resort offers both east and west courses that sit on the 570-acre site of a five-star hotel and spa resort in Sicily.
Warmed by the Mediterranean sun and refreshed by the sea breeze, the course landscape is lined with orange and olive groves and is reminiscent of the oldest and best links that line the Scottish coast.
The variety of tee boxes will be welcomed by beginners and veterans alike, while the elevated 18th tee offers a sight for sore eyes.
Image Credit: Rocco Forte Hotels. Image Location: Verdura Resort, Sicily, Italy
Royal Park Roveri Golf Club
Nestled at the foot of the Alps in La Mandria Natural Park just outside Turin, Royal Park Roveri is one of the most prestigious golf clubs in Italy. It's owned by the Agnelli family, who founded car giants Fiat and currently own Juventus Football Club.
Designed by legendary golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Sr in 1972, the course was home to the European Tour’s Italian Open between 2009 and 2012. The 17th hole is a stand out and has been awarded "Best hole in Italy" by Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
Only four greens are not influenced to some extent by water while the course is characterized by dramatic bunkers and undulating greens which house some tricky flag positions.
Biella Golf Club
Also known as Le Betulle, Biella was designed by Englishman John Morrison to make the most of the charming countryside and natural landscape on the slopes of the Serra Moraine, roughly halfway between Milan and Turin.
A teenage Rory McIlroy won the European Amateur Championship here in 2006, shooting a course record 65 in the process.
With the course measuring at 6,535 meters and a par 73, more casual players will appreciate the pristine fairways, glacial streams and views of the Alpine foothills.
La Betulle translates into English as "The Birches", which helps explain the sheer number and variety of trees, ranging from pine and beech to silver birch.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Atlantide Phototravel
Circolo Golf Villa D'Este
Designed in 1926 by Peter Gannon, the Circolo Golf Villa D’Este offers spectacular views across Lake Montorfano and is just a 20-minute drive from the town of Como.
Stars José María Olazabal and Henrik Stenson both won the Italian Open Amateur Championship here, while the course has also hosted the Italian Open a record 12 times.
Covering a distance of 5,750 meters, the 69-par layout is dotted with natural obstacles with over 30,000 trees—pines, chestnuts and birches—framing views of the Alps in the background.
Tee off in Italy
Let us help you get from the airport to the fairways quickly and comfortably. Download the Trainline app, book and store your tickets on your smartphone, and take advantage of European trains' generous luggage allowances. And don't forget to check out our comprehensive guide to booking train tickets in Italy online, our Italian travel inspiration guide, and more Italian outdoor travel tips with our guide to the best hiking spots in Italy.
Header Image Credit: Rocco Forte Hotels. Image Location: Verdura Resort, Sicily, Italy