Italy in 9 Regions: golf, gastronomy and history at the heart of each region

Italy is much more than just a country, it’s a journey through history, culture and gastronomy. Whether strolling through the narrow streets of Rome, admiring the Tuscan countryside or sipping a glass of wine in Sardinia, each region has its own identity and charm. But most importantly, thegrowth of golf in Italy in recent years, with world-class events such as the Ryder Cup 2023, has put the country on the international map.

Italian golf courses, renowned for their beauty and diversity, are now a must. Prestigious clubs such as the Marco Simone Golf Club, host of the Ryder Cup, or the verdant Castiglion del Bosco in Tuscany, bear witness to the growing importance of golf in Italy. In this article, I invite you to discover 9 Italian regions where golf blends with the discovery of sublime landscapes, historic monuments and gastronomic specialities. Whether you’re a keen golfer or simply a lover of Italy, a golfing journey awaits you every step of the way.

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We start our journey in the most famous region of Italy, one of the most visited: Piedmont.

Piemonte : Golf and nature at the foot of the Alps

Welcome to Piedmont, the region which, as its ancient name Pedemontium suggests, lies at the foot of the Western Alps, with peaks of extraordinary beauty, such as Monte Rosa and the unmissable pyramid of Monviso, known as the ‘king of stone’, where Italy’s longest river, the Po, originates.

Piedmont is a vibrant mix of art (from Romanesque to Baroque, from the five UNESCO sites), history, world-class food and wine, exclusive shopping, stunning landscapes, a wide range of cultural events and sporting activities. With a population of over 4 million and an economic structure in its own right, Piedmont is one of Europe’s most important regions.

Golf in Piedmont

The region expects to welcome a record number of visitors in 2025, as its popularity as a top golfing destination continues to grow. With more than 50 golf courses, some of which are considered to be among the best in Europe, this golfing mecca in north-west Italy offers a wide variety of courses, from mountains to lakes. These include the famous and sublime Golf Continental Verbania.

Golf Continental Verbania was founded in 1996 by a group of passionate golfers and quickly became the focal point for many local players and those from neighbouring Milan. The par 61 is not particularly long, but it manages to challenge the best players while appealing to beginners.

Let’s really get to grips with ….

Lombardy: Golf between tradition and modernity

Lombardy, in northern Italy, is a dynamic region that perfectly combines modernity and tradition. With its varied landscapes, from the majestic mountains of the Alps in the north to the picturesque lakes of the south, such as the Lago di Como, you won’t be disappointed.

Lombardy is also a region where culture and history play a central role. Milan, the world capital of fashion and design, is one of the region’s major urban centres and a must-see. Other landmarks include Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper at the Cenacolo Vinciano and Milan’s splendid cathedral. But beyond Milan, Lombardy is full of historic towns and villages such as Bergamo, Cremona and Mantua, which are rich in architectural heritage and tradition.

The cuisine – I know you’ve been waiting for this – includes risotto alla milanese (a creamy saffron risotto), cotoletta alla milanese (breaded veal escalope), and cheeses such as gorgonzola and grana padano. The region is also renowned for its wines, with famous appellations such as Franciacorta, a sparkling wine produced in the lake district, and Nebbiolo, a tannic red wine appreciated by connoisseurs.

Golf in Lombardy: courses in the heart of exceptional landscapes

Franciacorta Golf Club is another of the region’s must-visit courses, located in the heart of the Franciacorta wine region, around 30 km from Milan. It is a 27-hole course divided into three loops, offering a wide variety of challenges for golfers.

Garda Hotel San Vigilio Golf is one of the most prestigious golf resorts in the region, located near Lago di Garda, in the town of Pozzolengo, about 15 km from Sirmione. The club offers 36 holes on two different courses, the San Vigilio and the Solferino, each offering a unique experience.

Located on the shores of Lago di Garda, Golf Club Bogliaco is one of the most picturesque clubs in the Lombardy region. Founded in 1912, this 18-hole (par 71) course is around 5,700 metres long and boasts spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

The region of lovers….

Veneto: Golf by the lagoons and vineyards

Veneto is a region that manages to bring together almost every style of golf in a rich variety of landscapes. From Lake Garda to the Venetian lagoon, from the Dolomites to the Prosecco and Valpolicella hills, from the Euganean hills to the Berici hills, from the sea to the Po delta, the pleasure is guaranteed. Sea and hills merge in the heart of this region, offering breathtaking scenery throughout your golfing journey.

The Veneto region is also renowned for its wines, especially Prosecco, which can be tasted on visits to local wineries. Finally, the city of Venice, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a unique cultural experience, with its canals and historic monuments. The city of Italian love!

Golf in Veneto: an experience with infinite possibilities

The concentration of golf courses in Veneto is one of the highest in the entire Italian peninsula. 11 18-hole courses and 5 27-hole courses, with several excellent 9-hole courses (Golf Club Cortina d’Ampezzo, Golf Club Verona (Green Pass), Golf Club Colli Berici etc.), will take you from one natural environment to another, from the most luxurious and emblematic destinations to the most sporting and brilliant clubs, magnificently maintained.

The Veneto region, which won the prestigious international ‘Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year 2013’ award, has 43 greens divided into 8 golf districts.

Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Golf on the cultural frontier

Friuli-Venezia Giulia, from the Alps to the sea, the thousand faces of golf

In the north-east of Italy, in the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, golf has that extraordinary flavour of discovery and challenge: from the forests of the Alps to the Adriatic, descending along gentle slopes, between vineyards and old manor houses, within a radius of 100 kilometres, there are 6 18-hole courses evenly distributed throughout the territory, allowing you to enjoy a wide variety of natural settings of rare beauty.

Golf in Friuli-Venezia Giulia

From the coast, you can reach the Grado Golf Club, immersed in the lagoon. It has 18 holes in an area of almost sixty hectares in the splendid Tenuta Primero Campsite, surrounded by dense reeds that are the ideal natural habitat for herons, wild swans, flamingos and other species of fauna typical of the lagoon.

On the hills is the Castello di Spessa Golf & Country Club, which winds through the splendid vineyards of Collio Goriziano, with a layout characterised by different views, differentiated by the shaping of the fairways to give the impression of playing on three different courses, and the Udine Golf Club, 18 splendid holes set against a backdrop of hills of centuries-old oak, beech and wild cherry trees, just five kilometres from San Daniele and 18 km from Udine. Founded in 1972, the course at Fagagna, in the heart of the morainic hills of Friuli, is an incredible combination of golfing pleasure and an exclusive, relaxing landscape.

At the foot of the mountains and on the Karst, the Pordenone Golf Club has a course that harmoniously integrates newer and older holes among the hills within the prestigious Villa Policreti Nature Park, a historic sixteenth-century residence. Immersed in the unique vegetation of the Karst, the Trieste Golf Club : just a few minutes from the border with Slovenia and overlooking the magnificent panorama of the coastline, the club offers splendid views stretching from the Grado lagoon and Lignano Sabbiadoro to the Istrian coast.

At the top of the Alps, the Senza Confini Tarvisio Golf Club ( Green Pass), extended in 2003 by 18 holes by Canadian architect Graham Cooke, has a course with two different heartlands. The first 9 holes follow a series of ascents and descents through the splendid woods of the Tarvisio forest, while the other 9, which include a number of water mirrors, extend over an area with vast greens sometimes hidden between pines and beech trees, often protected by bunkers.

Emilia-Romagna: Golf and gastronomy in the heart of Italy

The Emilia-Romagna region takes its name from the Via Emilia, the ancient Roman road that links the Adriatic Sea to the great northern plane running from Rimini to Piacenza: an area nestled between the Apennines, the Po and the Adriatic that, over time, has preserved a rich heritage of traditions, customs and history. Bologna, Ferrara, Ravenna and all the other cities of art in the region are renowned destinations for cultural tourism.

But Emilia-Romagna is also famous for its sea and its leisure activities. With over 100 km of beaches, it offers something for everyone (spas, hotels, nature reserves, parks, etc.). And along the Via Emilia, motor sport enthusiasts can discover the truth behind the many stories created in the famous Motor Valley, from Ferrari to Ducati and Lamborghini to Maserati.

Golf in Emilia-Romagna

Above all else, Emilia-Romagna is a golf course, and a top-quality one at that, with 24 magnificent championship courses located close together and ready to welcome you 365 days a year. One of the great advantages of playing in Emilia-Romagna is that a single green fee gives you access to all these courses. This gives golfers the chance to enjoy a varied experience, with different holes, magnificent scenery and courses to suit all levels of play.

Tuscany: Golf and Tuscan landscapes between hills and vineyards

Tuscany is one of Italy’s most iconic regions, with some of the world’s most famous landscapes and breathtaking views. You’ll find rolling hills, terraced vineyards, ancient castles and medieval towns like Siena and San Gimignano. The region hosts events such as the Tuscan Classic, part of the Challenge Tour.

The region is a real gourmet’s paradise, with typical dishes such as bistecca alla fiorentina (Florentine steak), ribollita (traditional soups), and cheeses such as pecorino. Tuscany is also famous for its wines, particularly Chianti, which you can sample on visits to local vineyards.

Golf in Tuscany

The region is home to several internationally renowned golf courses. The Golf Club Toscana, the Golf Club Punta Ala ( Green Pass ) and the Castiglion del Bosco Golf Club are among the best known, offering quality courses that are both technical and varied.

Lazio: Golf and Roman history in the heart of Italy

Lazio is a central region of Italy, whose capital, Rome, is a true historical and cultural marvel.

Lazio, of course, is first and foremost Rome, the city of iconic monuments. The Colosseum, the Roman Forum, St Peter’s Basilica and the treasures of the Vatican make it a must-see destination for history buffs. But the region is also full of picturesque little towns like Tivoli, with its sumptuous historic villas listed by UNESCO.

Golf in Lazio

Lazio is home to several prestigious golf clubs, starting with the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club, which recently hosted the 2023 Ryder Cup. This demanding and technical course offers splendid views over the Roman countryside and attracts golfers from all over the world. Olgiata Golf Club is also one of the most prestigious and historic clubs in the region, located just 15 kilometres from the centre of Rome. Founded in 1961, it is renowned for its 18-hole golf course, which has hosted numerous professional and amateur tournaments over the years.

The Castel Gandolfo Country Club is just one of the many golf courses in the area. It features a historic 17th-century manor house as a golf club, overlooking a challenging course set in the crater of an extinct volcano. The golf course has 18 holes, with a par 71, extending over 6,100 metres. The Golf Club Consoli is also a very popular club, but it has a slightly quieter and more intimate atmosphere, located in San Giovanni in Tuscia, about 70 km north of Rome.

It’s hard to talk about this region without mentioning its gastronomy. Roman cuisine is a delight for the taste buds, with dishes such as carbonara, cacio e pepe and artichokes à la romaine sure to delight gourmets. After a great day’s golf, there’s nothing better than a meal in a local restaurant to sample the specialities accompanied by a glass of Frascati, the local white wine.

I know you dream of travelling to an Italian island, which is why I’ve booked you a round on Sicily and Sardinia.

Sardinia: Golf between sea and unspoilt nature

Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean and home to some of Italy’s most picturesque beaches, historic monuments, varied landscapes and, above all, fantastic golf courses. The island enjoys a mild climate throughout the year, making it an excellent option for those looking to escape the winter blues for an unforgettable golfing holiday in Italy.

Golf in Sardinia

In the north-east, you’ll find the Costa Smeralda and the Pevero Golf Club. On the west and south coasts you’ll find Is Arenas Golf & Country Club, Is Molas Club (Green Pass) and Tanka Golf & Country Club (Green Pass).

The west coast is characterised by long sandy beaches and small towns, surrounded by thick pine forests. Is Arenas – this is one of the most captivating beaches in the Oristano region, enhanced by rich, dense forests. The 18-hole course at Is Arenas Golf & Country Club is characterised by a combination of sand dunes, forests and sea. Nestling in the sand dunes of Is Arenas, the pine forest, with its five kilometres of beach, is a hidden gem on the west coast of the island of Sardinia.

When it comes to gastronomy, Sardinia is famous for its local products such as pecorino sardo (sheep’s milk cheese), malloreddus (Sardinian pasta) and porceddu (roast suckling pig). Between golf and relaxing by the sea, Sardinia is a dream destination.

Sicily: Golf and Mediterranean history

Sicily, with its fascinating history, offers an incredible diversity of landscapes, from fine sandy beaches to majestic mountains. On the island, as in Sardinia, golf is played in magnificent natural settings, such as Verdura Golf & Resort, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, or Donnafugata Golf Resort, nestling in the heart of the Sicilian countryside. When it comes to gastronomy, Sicily is a real treat for the senses, with its famous lemons, delicious cannolis and tasty arancini . Sicily is also a treasure trove of historic sites, ancient temples and archaeological remains.

Golf in Sicily

A mild climate and fantastic scenery are the perfect ingredients for practising your favourite sport in Sicily. The Verdura Resort, located on the outskirts of Sciacca, in the province of Agrigento, has two 18-hole courses and one nine-hole course, set along almost two kilometres of coastline. The two courses occupy roughly the same area: the one to the east is characterised by frequent changes of direction; the one to the west has a more linear layout, but both offer views of the sea.

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Italy is a dream destination for golfers, with its varied, high-quality courses, fascinating cultural heritage and gastronomy to delight all the senses. Each region offers a unique experience, where golf blends harmoniously with the discovery of sumptuous landscapes and historical treasures. Whether you’re looking for a sporting challenge, a gourmet getaway or an immersion in Italian history and culture, Italy has something for everyone.