Top 10 Golf Courses in Italy

Discover Italy's best golf courses from Tuscany to Sicily. Get GPS yardages, track scores, and explore stunning Italian layouts with the Hole19 golf app.

The Ultimate Guide to Italy's Top 10 Golf Courses

When you think of Italy, your mind probably wanders to ancient Roman ruins, Renaissance art, world-class cuisine, and stunning coastal landscapes. But did you know that Italy is also home to some of Europe's most spectacular golf courses? From the foothills of the Alps to the sun-drenched shores of Sicily, Italian golf combines championship-level design with breathtaking scenery that will elevate your game and your spirit.

Whether you're a low-handicap player seeking your next great challenge or a mid-handicapper looking to experience golf in one of the world's most beautiful countries, this comprehensive guide will walk you through Italy's top 10 golf courses. More importantly, we'll show you how the Hole19 golf GPS app becomes your essential companion for navigating these unfamiliar layouts, tracking your performance, and making the most of every round.

Let's explore what makes Italian golf so special and dive into the courses that should be on every serious golfer's bucket list.

Golfing in Italy presents a unique blend of challenges and rewards.
Golfing in Italy presents a unique blend of challenges and rewards.

A Rich Golfing Heritage Meets Mediterranean Beauty

Italy's golf history stretches back over a century, with the first course established in 1889. Today, the country boasts more than 400 golf courses spread across diverse terrain—from Alpine meadows to Mediterranean coastlines and everything in between.

What sets Italian golf apart is the seamless integration of world-class course design with natural beauty and cultural richness. You're not just playing a round of golf; you're experiencing centuries of history, tasting regional cuisine between nines, and creating memories that transcend the scorecard.

The Italian Golf Federation has worked tirelessly to develop the sport's infrastructure while maintaining the country's commitment to preserving natural landscapes and architectural heritage. This balance creates golf experiences that feel both modern and timeless.

Why Italian Golf Courses Stand Out

Italian courses offer several distinctive advantages that make them worthy destinations for traveling golfers:

Diverse Terrain and Playing Conditions: Unlike golf destinations that offer repetitive landscape, Italy delivers variety. You can play a mountain course with dramatic elevation changes one day, then head to a coastal links-style layout the next. This diversity challenges different aspects of your game and keeps your golf travel exciting.

Year-Round Playability: Thanks to Italy's Mediterranean climate, many regions offer excellent golf conditions nearly year-round. While northern courses may close during winter months, southern destinations like Sicily and Sardinia provide comfortable playing temperatures even in January and February.

World-Class Design Pedigree: Italy's top courses feature designs from golf's greatest architects. You'll find layouts by Robert Trent Jones Sr., Kyle Phillips, Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player. These designers took full advantage of Italy's dramatic topography to create memorable, strategic golf holes.

Exceptional Value: Compared to other European golf destinations like Scotland or England, Italian golf often provides better value without sacrificing quality. Green fees at championship courses remain reasonable, and package deals combining accommodation with golf offer excellent returns.

Using the Hole19 golf app, you can access detailed information about each course, including GPS yardages, hole layouts, and the ability to track your stats across different Italian venues. This technology helps you approach unfamiliar courses with confidence and gather data to improve your travel golf performance.

Golf holidays in Italy are available in regions like Tuscany, Piedmont, Lombardy, Sicily, and Liguria, with many great golf courses.
Golf holidays in Italy are available in regions like Tuscany, Piedmont, Lombardy, Sicily, and Liguria, with many great golf courses.

How to Choose the Right Golf Course in Italy for Your Game

Course Difficulty and Handicap Considerations

Not all Italian courses suit every skill level. Before booking your tee times, consider your handicap index and playing style.

Championship courses like Marco Simone and Castelconturbia demand precise ball-striking and strategic course management. These layouts punish wayward shots with dense rough, strategic bunkering, and challenging green complexes. If you're a high-handicap golfer, you might find more enjoyment at resort courses designed with wider fairways and more forgiving landing areas.

The Hole19 app helps you prepare by providing course difficulty ratings and allowing you to review hole-by-hole layouts before your round. This pre-round preparation proves invaluable when facing an unfamiliar championship test.

Regional Climate and Best Times to Play

Italy's golf regions experience different seasonal patterns:

Northern Italy (Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto): Best played from April through October. Summer offers long days and warm temperatures, though August can bring crowds and heat. Spring and early fall provide ideal conditions with fewer players.

Central Italy (Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio): March through November works well, with spring and fall being optimal. Summer heat can be intense but usually manageable with morning tee times.

Southern Italy and Islands (Sicily, Sardinia, Puglia): These destinations shine during winter months when northern courses close. November through March offers comfortable temperatures and less crowded conditions.

Using Golf GPS Technology to Navigate Italian Courses

Playing unfamiliar courses in a foreign country presents unique challenges. You don't know the local landmarks, the hidden hazards, or the optimal strategies for each hole.

This is where the Hole19 Golf GPS app becomes essential. With coverage of golf courses worldwide, including comprehensive Italian course mapping, you get:

- Accurate yardages to greens, hazards, and layup zones

- Digital flyovers showing hole layouts

- The ability to add notes about club selection and strategy

- Shot tracking to understand how different conditions affect your distances

- Performance statistics to identify strengths and weaknesses in your travel golf game

Think of Hole19 as your personal caddie who knows every Italian course, provides instant yardage information, and helps you play smarter golf in unfamiliar territory.

Italy has 9 regions, each with unique golf, landscapes, history, and gastronomy. Golf courses are renowned for their beauty and diversity.
Italy has 9 regions, each with unique golf, landscapes, history, and gastronomy. Golf courses are renowned for their beauty and diversity.

The Top 10 Golf Courses in Italy

1. Castelconturbia Golf Club – Piedmont

Course Overview and Key Features

Located in the foothills of the Alps, approximately 30 minutes from Milan Malpensa Airport, Castelconturbia consistently ranks as Italy's number one golf course. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1986, this championship layout has hosted numerous European Tour events and remains a favorite among serious players.

The course plays 6,687 yards from the championship tees with a par of 72. What makes Castelconturbia special is how Jones utilized the natural contours of the Piedmont landscape, creating a course that feels both American in its strategic demands yet distinctly Italian in its aesthetic beauty.

Expect generous fairways that reward accurate driving, combined with challenging approach shots to elevated, well-protected greens. The course features water on multiple holes, strategic bunkering, and mature trees that frame landing areas and demand shot-shaping ability.

Signature Holes and Strategy Tips

Hole 17 stands out as Castelconturbia's signature—a dramatic par-3 playing over water to a green protected by bunkers. Club selection proves crucial here, as the prevailing wind can add or subtract up to two clubs. Use your Hole19 app to check the plays like distance, which factors elevation and wind into your yardage calculation.

The finishing hole, a par-5 18th, provides a memorable conclusion. Reachable in two for longer hitters, it tempts aggressive play while punishing poor execution with water left and bunkers right of the green. Smart course management suggests laying up to your favorite wedge distance unless you're confident in your approach.

For mid-handicappers, focus on accuracy over distance at Castelconturbia. The course doesn't require massive length, but it demands you hit fairways and avoid the strategic hazards. Track your fairways hit percentage in Hole19 to see how course management affects your scoring.

Getting There and What to Expect

Castelconturbia is easily accessible from Milan, making it perfect for combining business with golf or starting an Italian golf trip. The clubhouse maintains elegant Italian standards without feeling pretentious—expect excellent service, quality dining, and a pro shop stocked with international and Italian brands.

Green fees range from €80-120 depending on season and day of week. Booking ahead is essential, especially during summer months. The course offers a comprehensive practice facility where you should arrive 30-45 minutes before your tee time.

Spread over an uncontaminated area of 100 hectares of forest and lakes, the tree nine-hole courses appear as links in front of the majestic Clubhouse.
Spread over an uncontaminated area of 100 hectares of forest and lakes, the tree nine-hole courses appear as links in front of the majestic Clubhouse.

2. Pevero Golf Club – Sardinia

Course Layout and Design Philosophy

Perched along Sardinia's stunning Costa Smeralda, Pevero Golf Club offers what many consider the most visually spectacular golf experience in Italy. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1972, this coastal masterpiece winds through natural Mediterranean vegetation with views of the turquoise sea and granite rock formations.

The course measures 6,289 yards from the back tees—not exceptionally long by modern standards—but what it lacks in length it compensates for in strategic complexity and natural beauty. Jones routed the course to maximize ocean views while preserving the wild, unspoiled character of the Sardinian coast.

Narrow fairways lined with native vegetation demand accurate driving. The greens, though modest in size, feature subtle undulations that make putting challenging. Wind plays a significant factor here, especially on holes near the coastline, requiring adaptable club selection and creative shot-making.

Playing Strategy for Coastal Conditions

Coastal wind dramatically impacts play at Pevero. Morning rounds typically offer calmer conditions, while afternoon winds can turn a comfortable 7-iron approach into a white-knuckle 5-iron punch shot.

The Hole19 app's shot tracking becomes particularly valuable at Pevero. By recording which clubs you hit in various conditions, you build a personal database showing how wind affects your distances. Next time you face similar conditions—whether at Pevero or another coastal venue—you'll have data-driven confidence in your club selection.

For tee shots, favor the side of the fairway that opens up the green. Pevero's greens often feature false fronts and steep falloffs, meaning approach shot angles matter more than pure distance. Use Hole19's course notes feature to mark optimal driving lines and preferred approach angles.

Par-3s at Pevero deserve special attention. These holes showcase Jones's genius for creating memorable one-shotters in stunning settings. Take extra time for pre-shot preparation—check wind direction, verify yardage with GPS, and commit fully to your club selection.

Amenities and Member Experience

Pevero maintains an exclusive but welcoming atmosphere. The clubhouse offers exceptional Italian hospitality with panoramic terrace dining overlooking the course and sea. While primarily a members' club, visitor tee times are available, though securing them requires advance planning.

Green fees reflect Pevero's prestigious status, ranging from €180-250 depending on season. The experience justifies the investment—this is bucket-list golf in one of Europe's most glamorous settings.

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3. Marco Simone Golf & Country Club – Rome

Home of the 2023 Ryder Cup

Marco Simone earned international recognition by hosting the 2023 Ryder Cup, placing Italian golf firmly on the world stage. This championship venue, located just 20 minutes from Rome's historic center, combines tournament-level golf with rich Roman history.

Originally designed by Jim Fazio and substantially redesigned by European Golf Design to Ryder Cup standards, Marco Simone now plays 7,265 yards from the championship tees. The course features dramatic elevation changes, strategic water hazards, and challenging green complexes that tested the world's best players during the Ryder Cup.

What makes Marco Simone particularly interesting for the traveling golfer is how the redesign created distinct risk-reward opportunities throughout the round. You'll face decisions on nearly every hole about whether to play aggressively or conservatively based on your skill level and how the round is unfolding.

Championship Layout and Course Management

The opening stretch at Marco Simone sets the tone—these are serious golf holes that demand immediate focus and smart strategy. Starting well proves crucial, as falling behind early puts pressure on every subsequent shot.

Hole 13, a drivable par-4, exemplifies the strategic choices Marco Simone presents. Longer hitters can attempt to drive the green, but water right and bunkers short punish poor execution. The smart play for most golfers involves laying up to a comfortable wedge distance, accepting a birdie opportunity rather than risking double bogey.

For the best scoring strategy at Marco Simone, focus on greens in regulation rather than scrambling. The green complexes feature enough undulation and speed that two-putting from distance can be challenging. Hit fairways, give yourself birdie looks, and avoid the big number.

Track your Marco Simone performance comprehensively with Hole19's advanced statistics. Seeing your driving accuracy, greens hit, and putts per hole provides clear feedback about which parts of your game held up under championship pressure.

Practice Facilities and Technology Integration

Marco Simone features world-class practice facilities that rival anywhere in Europe. The driving range, short game area, and putting greens meet PGA Tour standards. Plan to arrive early—working on your game before tackling this championship test pays dividends.

The course integrates seamlessly with modern golf GPS technology. Using Hole19, you can access the same hole-by-hole strategy information that helped Ryder Cup players navigate the course. This detailed intelligence levels the playing field, allowing you to approach Marco Simone with confidence despite never having played it before.

It is 10 miles from the city centre of Rome and has 2 golf courses, an 18-hole Championship Course and a 9-hole Resort Course. It hosted the 2023 Ryder Cup.
It is 10 miles from the city centre of Rome and has 2 golf courses, an 18-hole Championship Course and a 9-hole Resort Course. It hosted the 2023 Ryder Cup.

4. Verdura Resort – Sicily

Three Championship Courses in One Location

Verdura Resort on Sicily's southwestern coast offers an embarrassment of riches—two championship 18-hole courses plus a 9-hole par-3 course, all designed by Kyle Phillips. This makes Verdura ideal for multi-day golf trips where you want variety without changing hotels.

The East Course plays 6,985 yards through dramatic coastal terrain featuring Mediterranean vegetation, ancient olive trees, and stunning sea views. The West Course, slightly shorter at 6,517 yards, offers equally spectacular golf with different strategic challenges.

Both courses showcase Phillips's philosophy of creating natural-looking golf that integrates seamlessly with the landscape. Wide fairways encourage aggressive driving, while approach shots demand precision to undulating greens protected by deep bunkers.

East Course Highlights and Playing Tips

The East Course features Verdura's most memorable holes, particularly the coastal stretch from holes 13-15. These dramatic holes play along rugged cliffs with the Mediterranean Sea creating both visual splendor and strategic challenge.

Hole 18 provides a thrilling conclusion—a par-5 that curves along the coastline, tempting long hitters to challenge the distance while ocean breezes and strategic bunkering punish overaggression. Most players should adopt a three-shot strategy, laying up twice to ensure a comfortable wedge approach.

Use the Hole19 shot tracker extensively at Verdura. The firm, fast conditions common in Sicily mean your typical distances may not apply. Recording actual carry distances helps you understand how the conditions affect your ball flight, allowing better club selection as the round progresses.

For putting strategy, Verdura's greens run fast with subtle breaks. The Bermuda grass surface can fool players used to bent grass greens. Spend quality time on the practice green before your round, and use Hole19 to track putts per hole—this data reveals whether you're reading breaks correctly or need to adjust your green-reading technique.

West Course Strategy and Scenic Beauty

The West Course offers different challenges despite sharing Verdura's commitment to strategic, playable golf. This layout features more elevation change and tighter driving corridors through mature vegetation.

Signature holes include the par-3 7th, which plays dramatically downhill to a green framed by ancient olive trees, and the par-5 16th, a risk-reward hole where aggressive play can yield eagle opportunities but conservative strategy ensures steady scoring.

For traveling golfers, playing both courses at Verdura provides excellent data for performance comparison. Using Hole19's statistical analysis, you can see whether your game performs better on the open, windswept East Course or the more protected West Course. This insight helps you understand your golf personality and guides future course selection.

This resort is on 230 hectares of olive groves and Sicilian countryside, bordering 1.2 mi of coastline.
This resort is on 230 hectares of olive groves and Sicilian countryside, bordering 1.2 mi of coastline.

5. Circolo Golf Villa d'Este – Lake Como

Historic Elegance and Classic Design

Nestled in the hills above Lake Como, Villa d'Este represents Italian golf at its most elegant and historic. Founded in 1926, this classic course offers a traditional European golf experience that feels unchanged by time.

The course plays 6,099 yards from the back tees—compact by modern standards—but don't let the modest length fool you. Villa d'Este demands precision more than power. Narrow fairways, strategic trees, and elevated greens reward accurate shotmaking while punishing wayward strikes.

What Villa d'Este lacks in length it compensates for in charm and strategic interest. This is thinking person's golf, where course management and shot selection matter more than raw distance. Players who rely on driver and wedge will struggle; those who embrace strategic golf will thrive.

Navigating Elevation Changes and Tight Fairways

Elevation changes throughout Villa d'Este add complexity to club selection. Many approach shots play uphill to elevated greens, requiring one or two extra clubs. Conversely, several tee shots play downhill, adding roll and potentially running through fairways into trouble.

The Hole19 plays like distance feature proves invaluable at Villa d'Este. Rather than guessing how much elevation affects your approach yardage, you get a corrected distance that accounts for uphill and downhill shots. This technology prevents under-clubbing on uphill approaches and over-clubbing on downhill shots.

Fairway accuracy becomes paramount at Villa d'Este. The course features mature trees that block recovery shots from the rough. Your best strategy involves playing conservative off the tee—perhaps taking less than driver—to ensure you can attack pins from the fairway rather than scrambling from difficult positions.

Best Seasons to Play This Italian Gem

Villa d'Este's location in the Italian Lakes region means the course operates seasonally, typically from March through November. Spring and fall offer optimal conditions with comfortable temperatures, colorful foliage, and fewer crowds.

Summer brings warm weather and long days but also peak season pricing and busier tee sheets. Book well in advance if planning a July or August round.

The clubhouse maintains old-world Italian elegance. After your round, enjoy lunch on the terrace overlooking Lake Como—combining world-class golf with stunning views and exceptional Italian cuisine creates memories that transcend your score.

For golf enthusiasts, Villa d'Este offers exclusive experiences tailored to every moment of the day and every skill level.
For golf enthusiasts, Villa d'Este offers exclusive experiences tailored to every moment of the day and every skill level.

6. Golf Club Bergamo L'Albenza – Lombardy

Two Championship Courses to Master

Located near Bergamo in Lombardy, L'Albenza offers two distinct championship courses that have each hosted professional European Tour events. This gives serious golfers the rare opportunity to play tournament golf on layouts that tested the world's best players.

The Blue Course plays 6,618 yards and hosted the Italian Open multiple times. Designer John Morrison created a parkland layout that emphasizes strategic thinking over brute force. The Yellow Course, slightly shorter at 6,367 yards, offers a complementary test with different strategic demands.

Having two tournament-quality courses at one facility makes L'Albenza ideal for multi-day golf trips or serious players wanting to test their game repeatedly under pressure. Each course asks different questions of your golf skills, providing comprehensive feedback about your overall game.

Strategic Course Management Tips

Both L'Albenza courses reward disciplined course management. The layouts don't punish aggressive play as severely as some championship venues, but they consistently reward smart decision-making and penalize careless execution.

Water hazards appear strategically throughout both courses, often positioned to tempt aggressive play while offering safer alternative routes. The key is knowing your capabilities and playing within them rather than attempting shots beyond your skill level.

Use Hole19's statistics tracking to analyze your decision-making at L'Albenza. After your round, review whether aggressive strategies paid off or conservative play produced better scores. This data-driven feedback improves your course management skills for future championship tests.

For approach shots, both courses feature well-protected greens with strategic bunkering and subtle contouring. Missing in the right spot proves crucial—favor the side of the green that offers the easiest recovery rather than firing directly at tucked pins.

Tournament History and Prestige

L'Albenza's tournament pedigree adds extra excitement to playing these courses. Standing on tees where European Tour champions have competed provides motivation to execute your best shots.

The clubhouse displays memorabilia from past events, connecting you to Italian golf history. The practice facilities meet professional standards, allowing proper warm-up before tackling either championship layout.

Green fees offer excellent value considering the tournament-quality conditions and dual-course availability. Packages combining play on both courses provide even better value for serious golfers wanting a comprehensive L'Albenza experience.

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7. Cervino Golf Club – Valle d'Aosta

Europe's Highest Golf Course Experience

Cervino Golf Club, situated at 6,560 feet elevation near the resort town of Cervinia, claims the title of Europe's highest golf course. This 9-hole layout (playable as 18 using alternate tees) offers a unique mountain golf experience against the backdrop of the iconic Matterhorn.

The course operates seasonally from early summer through early fall when snow melts from the Alpine meadow. Playing at altitude affects everything from ball flight to physical exertion—expect shots to fly farther and your breathing to feel labored during uphill walks.

While not a championship test, Cervino provides memorable golf in a stunning setting. The compact layout emphasizes accuracy and creativity over distance, making it accessible to golfers of all skill levels while offering challenges that test even accomplished players.

Mountain Golf Strategy and Shot Selection

Mountain golf demands adjustments to your normal game. The thin air at altitude means drives carry farther and approach shots fly differently than at sea level. Your normal 7-iron might perform like a 6-iron at Cervino.

The Hole19 shot tracker becomes particularly valuable for documenting how altitude affects your distances. Recording your actual carry numbers at elevation provides data you can reference for future mountain golf experiences, whether in the Alps, Rockies, or other high-altitude destinations.

Wind patterns in mountain settings can be unpredictable. The Matterhorn creates unique weather patterns that affect ball flight on every hole. Stay flexible with club selection and be prepared to adjust mid-round as conditions evolve.

The Golf Club del Cervino is the highest 18-hole course in Italy, at 2050m, with a 5300m par-69 course, and a view of the Matterhorn.
The Golf Club del Cervino is the highest 18-hole course in Italy, at 2050m, with a 5300m par-69 course, and a view of the Matterhorn.

8. Arzaga Golf Club – Lake Garda

Two Distinct Courses, One Stunning Location

Arzaga Golf Club, situated near Lake Garda in Lombardy, features two championship courses designed by legends Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. This resort destination offers comprehensive golf experiences with luxury accommodations and world-class practice facilities.

The Jack Nicklaus II Course plays 7,077 yards through rolling parkland terrain with strategic water hazards and dramatic elevation changes. The Gary Player Course offers a contrasting experience at 6,342 yards with tighter fairways and more severe penalties for wayward shots.

Having courses by two of golf's greatest champions at one resort provides interesting comparisons of design philosophy. Nicklaus emphasized strategic options and multiple routes to success, while Player created a more demanding test requiring precise execution.

Jack Nicklaus II Course Strategy

The Nicklaus layout rewards aggressive play but offers bailout options for players lacking confidence in particular shots. This creates an engaging risk-reward dynamic throughout the round.

Water hazards appear on multiple holes, often positioned to catch aggressive drives or approaches. The key is understanding your capabilities—can you reliably carry that water with your driver, or should you lay back to a comfortable distance?

Use Hole19's club recommendation feature to help make these decisions. By tracking your typical distances with each club, the app provides data-driven guidance about whether you can successfully execute aggressive strategies or should play conservatively.

The greens at Arzaga feature significant undulation and can run fast under summer conditions. Two-putting from distance requires excellent pace control. Practice your lag putting before the round and use Hole19 to track your putts per green—this reveals whether your distance control needs work.

Gary Player Course Playing Tips

The Player design offers less forgiveness than the Nicklaus course. Fairways narrow at landing areas, rough grows thicker, and greens feature more severe contouring. This layout demands precise ball-striking and careful course management.

For mid-to-high handicappers, playing forward tees at the Gary Player course makes sense. The course can become punishingly difficult from championship tees, whereas moving up creates an enjoyable yet challenging test.

Strategic positioning matters more than pure distance on this layout. Rather than automatically pulling driver, consider which club leaves the best angle into greens. Sometimes a fairway wood or long iron that finds the fairway produces better scoring opportunities than a driver that risks the rough.

Track your performance on both courses using Hole19's comparative statistics. Understanding whether you play better on the more forgiving Nicklaus layout or perform equally well on the demanding Player course provides valuable feedback about your game's strengths and areas needing improvement.

Within a 355 acres park upon the Lake Garda hills are located the Arzaga Golf courses, the signature made by two golf legend ensure the beauty of the 18 holes.
Within a 355 acres park upon the Lake Garda hills are located the Arzaga Golf courses, the signature made by two golf legend ensure the beauty of the 18 holes.

9. Is Molas Golf Club – Sardinia

Championship Golf in Mediterranean Paradise

Is Molas, located on Sardinia's southern coast near Cagliari, offers championship golf in a stunning Mediterranean setting. Designed by Gary Player, this layout winds through native vegetation with dramatic elevation changes and strategic design elements that reward thoughtful play.

The course measures 6,285 yards from the championship tees, making it accessible to a wide range of skill levels while still challenging accomplished players. Player utilized the natural topography brilliantly, creating holes that feel perfectly integrated into the landscape.

Mediterranean vegetation—including cork oak forests, mastic trees, and fragrant myrtle—lines fairways and creates a distinctly Sardinian atmosphere. The routing provides stunning views of the surrounding countryside and, on clear days, glimpses of the distant sea.

Wind Play and Coastal Strategy

Coastal winds significantly impact play at Is Molas, particularly during spring and fall when breezes off the Mediterranean can gust unpredictably. Learning to manage wind becomes essential for good scoring.

The Hole19 app helps with wind management by allowing you to track shots in various conditions. After several rounds, you'll have data showing how much wind affects your different shot shapes and trajectories. This information proves invaluable for making confident decisions under windy conditions.

Ball flight trajectory matters more in wind than on calm days. Lower, penetrating shots handle wind better than high, soaring trajectories. Consider taking more club and swinging easier to produce controlled ball flights that minimize wind interference.

For tee shots, favor the side of the fairway that protects against the prevailing wind. If wind blows from right to left, tee up on the right side of the tee box and aim down the right edge of the fairway. This gives maximum room for wind drift while keeping your ball in play.

Maximizing Your Round with Smart Club Selection

Elevation changes throughout Is Molas add another dimension to club selection. Many approach shots play uphill or downhill, requiring distance adjustments beyond what yardage alone suggests.

This is where Hole19's plays like distance technology shines. The app calculates adjusted yardage accounting for elevation, providing a number you can trust rather than forcing you to guess how many yards to add or subtract.

Strategic par-5s at Is Molas create interesting decisions about aggressive versus conservative play. Player designed these holes with multiple route options—longer hitters can attempt to reach in two, while shorter hitters can use a three-shot strategy.

Track your par-5 scoring with Hole19's statistics to understand whether aggressive play pays off or conservative strategy produces better results. This data-driven feedback helps you make smarter decisions on similar holes at other courses.

The clubhouse and practice facilities at Is Molas meet high standards. Plan to arrive early to use the driving range and short game areas. Working on your game before the round, especially focusing on trajectory control for wind management, improves your scoring potential significantly.

The Is Molas golf course is one of the most famous in Italy, and has been the benchmark for this sport in Sardinia for over thirty years.
The Is Molas golf course is one of the most famous in Italy, and has been the benchmark for this sport in Sardinia for over thirty years.

10. Golf Club Poggio dei Medici – Tuscany

Rolling Tuscan Hills and Strategic Design

Poggio dei Medici, located in the heart of Tuscany near Florence, offers golf amid the region's iconic rolling hills, cypress trees, and vineyard landscapes. This championship venue combines serious golf with the cultural richness of Tuscany's most famous wine country.

Designed by Baldovino Dassù, Italy's most celebrated golf architect, the course measures 6,598 yards through dramatically rolling terrain. Dassù routed the layout to maximize views while creating strategic golf holes that reward thinking players more than merely powerful ones.

The course features significant elevation changes, strategic water hazards, and well-protected greens that demand precise approach shots. More than raw distance, success at Poggio dei Medici requires excellent course management and the ability to hit a variety of shot shapes.

Course Management for Mid-to-High Handicappers

For improving players, Poggio dei Medici provides an excellent venue for developing course management skills. The layout doesn't overwhelm with extreme difficulty but consistently rewards smart decisions and penalizes poor choices.

Fairway position matters more than distance at Poggio dei Medici. Many holes feature doglegs or angled greens where approach angle significantly affects difficulty. Your best strategy involves prioritizing fairway accuracy, even if that means using less than driver off some tees.

Use Hole19's course notes feature to mark optimal driving lines and preferred approach angles. Before playing each hole, quickly review your notes from previous rounds or pre-round strategy sessions. This preparation helps you execute smart game plans rather than making reactive decisions under pressure.

The green complexes at Poggio dei Medici feature significant contouring and strategic bunkering. Missing greens in the wrong spots makes par difficult. Study the hole layouts in your Hole19 app to understand where you can safely miss and which areas present serious recovery challenges.

Combining Golf with Wine Country Tourism

Poggio dei Medici's location in Tuscany makes it ideal for combining golf with wine tourism. The resort offers comprehensive experiences that include golf, wine tasting, cultural excursions, and exceptional Italian cuisine.

After your round, take advantage of the wine tours to nearby famous estates. Experiencing Chianti Classico wine in its native setting, then enjoying a traditional Tuscan dinner, creates the complete Italian golf travel experience.

Using Hole19 to track your performance across multiple rounds at Poggio dei Medici provides interesting data about how Tuscan conditions affect your game. The firm, fast playing surfaces common in summer Tuscany reward ground game tactics and punish purely aerial attacks.

The practice facilities include a comprehensive driving range, short game area, and multiple practice putting greens. Arriving early to work on your game while soaking in Tuscan views sets the perfect tone for your round.

The course is beautifully situated in the Tuscan hills. The view is phenomenal!! However, the track is a faded glory. Lots of deferred maintenance.
The course is beautifully situated in the Tuscan hills. The view is phenomenal!! However, the track is a faded glory. Lots of deferred maintenance.

How the Hole19 Golf App Enhances Your Italian Golf Experience

GPS Yardages for Unfamiliar Italian Courses

The biggest challenge when playing unfamiliar courses involves lacking local knowledge about distances, hazards, and strategic options. This is where the Hole19 Golf GPS app transforms your travel golf experience.

Accurate Front, Middle, and Back Green Distances

Hole19 provides precise yardages to front, middle, and back of every green. This information, available at a glance on your phone or watch, eliminates the need to estimate distances or search for yardage markers on unfamiliar courses.

The app's GPS accuracy—typically within 1-2 yards—rivals or exceeds expensive standalone GPS devices. You get professional-level distance information using technology you already carry in your pocket.

Hazard yardages prove equally valuable. Hole19 shows distances to carry water, reach fairway bunkers, or avoid out-of-bounds. This intelligence helps you make confident club selections even when playing a course for the first time.

Plays Like Distance Technology for Elevation Changes

Many Italian courses feature significant elevation changes that affect club selection. A 150-yard shot that plays uphill to an elevated green might actually require your 165-yard club.

Hole19's plays like distance feature accounts for elevation automatically, providing adjusted yardage that reflects the actual playing distance. Rather than guessing how much elevation affects your shot, you get a reliable number you can trust.

This technology proves particularly valuable at courses like Cervino (high altitude), Villa d'Este (hillside routing), or Poggio dei Medici (rolling Tuscan terrain) where elevation changes occur frequently and dramatically.

Digital Scorecards and Stat Tracking

Recording Your Italian Golf Adventures

Using Hole19's digital scorecard eliminates the hassle of manual scorekeeping while traveling. Simply tap your score after each hole, and the app handles everything else—calculating totals, tracking statistics, and storing your round permanently.

Your Italian golf rounds become part of your permanent golf history, allowing you to look back years later and remember exactly how you played each memorable course. This digital diary captures not just scores but detailed performance data.

The social aspect adds another dimension. Share your rounds with golf buddies back home, post highlight shots to the app's community feed, and connect with other golfers playing Italian courses. This transforms solitary travel golf into a shared social experience.

Comparing Performance Across Different Courses

After playing multiple Italian courses, Hole19's comparative statistics reveal how your game performed across different venues. Did you drive better at open coastal courses versus tree-lined parkland layouts? Did your putting improve on fast, firm Bermuda greens versus slower bent grass surfaces?

This performance analysis provides valuable feedback about your golf strengths and weaknesses under varying conditions. Understanding how different course types and playing conditions affect your scoring helps you prepare better for future travel golf experiences.

Handicap tracking through Hole19 shows whether your game improved, declined, or stayed consistent during your Italian golf adventure. This objective measurement provides a reality check about whether your practice and play are paying dividends.

Course Notes and Strategy Planning

Pre-Round Preparation with Digital Notes

Before playing an unfamiliar Italian course, use Hole19's notes feature to record strategic information. Perhaps you watched course videos, studied hole diagrams, or received tips from friends who played previously.

Document this intelligence in your Hole19 app attached to specific holes. Then, during your round, quickly review these notes before playing each hole. This pre-round preparation and in-round reference transforms how confidently you approach unfamiliar layouts.

After your round, update your notes with what you learned—optimal driving lines, ideal approach angles, tricky green slopes, or hidden hazards. If you return to the same course later, you'll have detailed strategic guidance at your fingertips.

Building Your Personal Course Guide

Over time, your collection of course notes becomes a personal guidebook for Italian golf. Future trips benefit from past experience, allowing you to approach familiar courses with insider knowledge rather than playing them cold.

This is particularly valuable at complex championship venues where course management and local knowledge significantly impact scoring. Having detailed notes from previous rounds provides a massive advantage over relying solely on memory.

Sharing Your Experience on Social Features

Hole19's social platform lets you share your Italian golf adventures with a community of passionate golfers worldwide. Post photos from spectacular holes, share round recaps, and connect with other golfers planning Italian golf trips.

The achievement and milestone tracking adds gamification elements that make golf more engaging. Earn badges for playing multiple Italian courses, breaking scoring goals, or hitting specific performance metrics.

This social dimension transforms golf from a solitary pursuit into a connected community experience, even when traveling alone in a foreign country.

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Try out Hole19 today on any Italian golf course.

In fact, our app has over 43,000 courses ready for you to play on. Download the app today!

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Your Italian Golf Adventure Awaits

Italy offers everything a traveling golfer could desire—championship golf, stunning scenery, rich culture, exceptional cuisine, and warm hospitality. From the Alpine beauty of Cervino to the coastal splendor of Pevero, from the championship challenge of Marco Simone to the historic elegance of Villa d'Este, Italian golf delivers unforgettable experiences.

The Hole19 Golf GPS app transforms how you experience these remarkable courses. No longer do you face unfamiliar layouts feeling intimidated and uncertain. Instead, you arrive equipped with professional-level course information, accurate GPS yardages, and intelligent technology that helps you play smarter golf.

Whether you're planning a dedicated golf trip or adding golf to a broader Italian vacation, the courses in this guide provide world-class experiences that will create lasting memories. Download the Hole19 app today, start planning your Italian golf adventure, and prepare to discover why Italy ranks among the world's premier golf destinations.

Your foursome awaits on Italian fairways. The Mediterranean sun beckons. Championship golf and Italian culture combine to create experiences that transcend mere sport. With Hole19 as your digital caddie, you're ready to tackle Italy's finest courses with confidence and excitement.

Buon golf! (Good golf!)

Jorge Robalo

Jorge Robalo

Courses