The Best Golf Destinations in Italy

To help golfers to decide where to go, we decided to make life easier for them. As we know our site in and out, we often see beautiful features which are not yet known to our audience, like the map view and the filters. We defined a golfing hotspot as the following: "an area relativelyclose to an international airportwith at least four or more golf clubs (18-holes or more) with an 8 or higher, all located close to each other". For a golfer, this would translate to easy access by plane and quite a few kick-ass courses to play without too much driving!

Arona lies just northwest of Milan and is very easily accessible via Milan-Malpensa Airport which is just 25 km away. The city of Arona is located on the Piedmontese shore of Lake Maggiore, which is also one of the main attractions of Arona. The city itself is one of the finest along the lake and you will also find some very good golf courses nearby Arona. The following golf courses near Arona are really worth a visit when playing a golf break:

If you are prepared to drive a bit - for instance on your way to the airport - then Le Robinie Golf Club Milano would be a nice option. The course is a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course. Here you can check all golf courses in and around Arona.

Another great city for a golf break is Como, which is also located on the shore of a lake, Lake Como. Como is also located fairly close to Milan Malpensa Airport, so getting there shouldn't be a problem. Como has a multitude of historical buildings, fine restaurants and important museums. Furthermore, surrounding the lake, there is a plethora of beautiful towns and villages such as Cernobbio, Menaggio and Bellagio. But, you will also find some of the best golf courses in Italy here:

If you are prepared to drive a bit north along the Como Lake, then we recommend Menaggio & Cadenabbia Golf Club. The club lies high on the flanks of Lake Como and has quite a traditional atmosphere.  On your way to the airport, Le Robinie Golf Club Milano would be a nice option. Here you can check all golf courses in and around Como. 

The next destination for a golf trip is yet again located at a lake, Lake Garda this time. Sirmione is one of the most beautiful lakefront towns in Italy. It stands on the tip of the narrow peninsula Sirmio that juts deep into the waters of Lake Garda. Sirmione is known for its thermal baths and Rocca Scaligera, a medieval castle overlooking the lake. But, there are some lovely golf courses nearby as well:

If you do not mind driving along Lake Garda, then Golf Bogliaco is a good choice. Getting to this area is possible via Bergamo Airport, Milan or Venice. But, Verona - which is located very close to Lake Garda - also has an international airport known as Verona Villafranca Airport (or Valerio Catullo Airport). When preparing a golf break to Sirmione, then it might be helpful to check all golf courses around Sirmione.

Two other areas to consider - but which just missed the criteria - are Padova and Rome. Padova has three 18-hole golf courses rated higher than an 8 and not four, so that is why that city did not make it to the list of best golf destinations in Italy. Rome does have four golf courses with an 8 or higher, but they are scattered around Rome and they are not located very close to each other. Considering the traffic in and around Rome, travel time would just be too high. But Rome is home to Ryder Cup venue: Marco Simone Golf & Country Club. This golf club has totally been revamped recently, so the rating on Leading Courses might not reflect the actual condition the course is in right now.

Italy is not home to many golf resorts, but if we would have to name a few impressive golf resorts, then Toscana Resort Castelfalfi and Argentario Golf Resort & Spa - both in Tuscany - are not to be missed. Bogogno Golf Resort - mentioned above - and Verdura Golf & Spa Resort on Sicily are also great resorts.

We hope you liked this article and that we have inspired you! We will continue bringing you similar articles for other countries as well. So stay tuned!

Other articles in this series:

• The Best Golf Destinations in the Benelux
• The Best Golf Destinations in Germany
• The Best Golf Destinations in France