This country profile highlights some of the key aspects of golfing in Italy.

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The Belpaese (beautiful country) is one of the greatest repositories of sensorial pleasures on earth. From art to food, from stunning and varied countryside to flamboyant fashion, Italy has it all. This is the country that brought us the Roman Empire, the Renaissance, the Ferrari and Slow Food; a country devoted to the promotion of fresh products and traditional cooking. Its great cities, like Rome, Venice and Florence, have been attracting visitors for centuries, and with good reason. At times, it seems the country rests on its artistic laurels, which is not entirely true. Milan, the country’s financial hub, has created one of Europe’s biggest and most modern trade fairs. Venice has possibly changed least down the decades, but who would want it to. Alongside inspecting Italy’s art treasures, you can ski in the Alps, hike the Dolomites, dive off Sardinia’s golden coast or golf on an increasing number of fabulous championship courses. More than anything, a trip to Italy is about lapping up the lifestyle; idling over a coffee at a streetside cafe or lingering over a long lunch in the hot Mediterranean sun. (This country description courtesy of Lonely Planet - travel guides and guidebooks).

About the Golf

There is still something faintly aristocratic about Italian golf, perhaps not yet a sport for all, but one played by a growing number of people in Italy. If quantity is missing, quality is certainly not. There are plenty of excellent courses in the north of Italy, especialy around Milan and the lakes.

Golf Good Points
The clubhouse restaurants serve great Italian cuisine - who could want for more. Generally spike shoes can be worn in and around the club house (just take a look at some of the wooden floors).

Less Good Points
Beware of week-end rounds which can be very long (everyone seems to join the club competitions). If you are a two-ball, don't always expect slower 4-balls (and sometimes 5-balls) to wave you through - golf etiquette seems a bit random here is Italy.

Golf - Booking
Tee times can generally be reserved any length of time in advance. Look out for golf packages combining hotel accomodation and golf. When booking-in at the Clubhouse with the "Segreteria" you will invariably be asked to show a handicap certificate. Many clubs do not really get going until 8:30 or 9:00, so for you golfing early-birds, don't always count on a very early tee-off.

Weather
Northern Italy : to see the courses in full bloom and full leaf, May through end-September are the best months for golfing in northern Italy. Generally courses are played year-round, as long as there is no snow around, although this is often the case in December through February. A few golf clubs close from Christmas until early February.

Getting around
Most of the country is serviced by good quality motorways. Signposting sometimes leaves a bit to be desired, so take a good map with you. Although this is the land of Ferrari, not everyone is required to drive like Michael Schumacher - although you might sometimes be forgiven for thinking that is the case.

Accomodation
The bigger Italian cities and towns are well-served by good quality hotels, but these can often get very booked-up, especially in the June / July holiday season and at weekends. Outside these bigger towns, hotels can be scarcer than you might think, so its best to identify and book your accommodation reasonably well in advance.

Currency
Euro

Language
Italian. English spoken in more touristic areas, but is certainly not widespread.

Check the Top Golf Courses in Italy for ratings, reviews, photos and contact information golf clubs and hotels.