There are countries you visit to play golf. Then there are countries where golf simply becomes part of a much larger experience. Italy belongs firmly in the second category. Unlike Scotland, where nearly every road seems to lead to another legendary links course, or Ireland, where golf often takes center stage, Italy offers something different. Here, an unforgettable round is only one chapter in a day that might also include a private vineyard tasting in Tuscany, lunch overlooking the Amalfi Coast, an afternoon exploring Roman ruins, or dinner prepared by a Michelin-starred chef whose family has been perfecting recipes for generations.
For executives looking to blend luxury travel, business, family, and recreation, Italy has quietly become one of Europe’s most compelling golf destinations. Whether you’re planning a two-week holiday or adding a few rounds to a business trip, these are five courses worthy of every golfer’s bucket list.
Pevero Golf Club | Costa Smeralda, Sardinia
If there is one golf course that perfectly captures the Italian summer lifestyle, it is Pevero. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., the course flows effortlessly through granite outcroppings, fragrant Mediterranean brush, and brilliant turquoise coves that have made Costa Smeralda famous around the world. The golf is exceptional, the scenery is unforgettable, and the destination is unmatched. Minutes away lie Porto Cervo’s luxury boutiques, five-star resorts, beach clubs, and one of Europe’s most spectacular collections of superyachts. Pevero isn’t simply a golf course, it’s an Italian lifestyle experience. peverogolfclub.com
Executive Snapshot
- Par: 72
- Course Rating / Slope: Approximately 74.0 / 136
- Length: 6,900 yards
- Summer Green Fee: €150–€180
- Difficulty: ★★★★☆
- Access: Private club with visitor tee times available by reservation.
- Best For: Luxury travelers, yacht enthusiasts, couples, and bucket-list golfers.
Nearby
- Porto Cervo
- Hotel Cala di Volpe
- Phi Beach
- La Maddalena Archipelago
- Costa Smeralda beaches
- Hotel Valle del’Erica
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club | Roma
The world officially discovered Marco Simone during the 2023 Ryder Cup, when Europe delivered one of the most memorable victories in the event’s history. What television couldn’t fully capture, however, is just how enjoyable this course is to play. Just outside Rome, Marco Simone combines dramatic elevation changes with sweeping views of the Eternal City. Every hole demands strategic thinking rather than brute strength, rewarding players who manage risk instead of chasing distance. Yet the greatest advantage of Marco Simone may be its location. Few golf destinations allow you to spend the morning walking Ryder Cup fairways and the evening dining beneath the Colosseum. Within thirty minutes, visitors can explore centuries of history, world-class museums, and some of Italy’s finest restaurants. If you’re visiting Italy for business, this is the easiest championship course in the country to add to your itinerary. golfmarcosimone.com
Executive Snapshot
- Par: 72
- Course Rating / Slope: 75.5 / 147
- Length: 7,300+ yards (Championship)
- Summer Green Fee: €180–€250
- Difficulty: ★★★★★
- Access: Public with advance tee time; book several weeks ahead during summer.
- Best For: Ryder Cup fans and low-handicap golfers.
Don’t Miss
- The Vatican
- Colosseum
- Trastevere
- Hotel de Russie
- Four Seasons Hotel Roma
Argentario Golf Club | Tuscany
There may not be a more relaxing golf destination in Italy. Nestled between rolling vineyards, Mediterranean coastline, and centuries-old olive groves, Argentario delivers the kind of scenery that reminds golfers why they travel in the first place. The PGA National Italy course is challenging without being punishing, making it equally enjoyable for competitive players and vacation golfers. After your round, the experience shifts seamlessly into classic Tuscan luxury: vineyard tours, fresh seafood, local wines, and sunsets over the Tyrrhenian Sea. Argentario isn’t simply a golf trip. It’s Tuscany at its finest—with eighteen exceptional holes woven into the landscape. argentarioresort.it
Executive Snapshot
- Par: 71
- Course Rating / Slope: 73.8 / 138
- Length: 6,800 yards
- Summer Green Fee: €160–€170
- Difficulty: ★★★★☆
- Access: Resort guests receive priority; outside visitors welcomed with reservations.
- Best For: Couples, wine enthusiasts, and luxury travelers.
Don’t Miss
- Porto Ercole
- Bolgheri Wine Region
- Monte Argentario
- Local wineries
- Luxury spa experiences
Verdura Resort | Sicily
If one destination best represents Mediterranean golf, Verdura may be it. Stretching along nearly two miles of Sicilian coastline, the Rocco Forte Resort features championship courses where the sea remains visible from nearly every hole. The conditioning rivals many of Europe’s finest private clubs, while the atmosphere remains refreshingly relaxed but what elevates Verdura beyond great golf is Sicily itself. Few places combine ancient Greek history, pristine beaches, remarkable cuisine, and world-class hospitality quite like Italy’s largest island. Spend the morning chasing birdies, the afternoon exploring ancient temples, and the evening enjoying fresh seafood overlooking the Mediterranean. It becomes clear very quickly that golf is simply the beginning. roccofortehotels.com
Executive Snapshot
- Par: 72
- Course Rating / Slope: Approximately 75 / 140
- Length: 7,200 yards
- Summer Green Fee: €220–€300
- Difficulty: ★★★★☆
- Access: Resort guests have preferred tee times; visitors should book well in advance.
- Best For: Luxury golf vacations and extended stays.
Don’t Miss
- Valley of the Temples
- Sciacca
- Sicilian wineries
- Mediterranean beaches
- Fresh local seafood
Royal Park I Roveri | Turin
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., Royal Park I Roveri offers a completely different Italian golf experience. Located outside Turin in the heart of Piedmont, the course rewards precision and course management rather than overwhelming power. Tree-lined fairways, immaculate conditioning, and championship pedigree have made it a frequent host of the Italian Open. Off the course, however, is where the region truly shines. Piedmont is home to Barolo, Barbaresco, and some of the world’s finest truffles. It is a destination equally celebrated by golfers, food lovers, and wine enthusiasts. For executives entertaining clients or simply seeking a refined getaway, few destinations combine business, hospitality, and golf as elegantly. royalparkgolf.it
Executive Snapshot
- Par: 72
- Course Rating / Slope: Approximately 74.8 / 143
- Length: 7,100 yards
- Summer Green Fee: €140–€190
- Difficulty: ★★★★★
- Access: Semi-private; international visitors can typically book with advance notice.
- Best For: Purists and championship golf.
Don’t Miss
- Turin
- Barolo
- Alba
- Piedmont wineries
- Michelin-starred restaurants
San Domenico Golf | Puglia
Still considered something of a hidden gem, San Domenico may offer the most spectacular coastal golf in Italy. Running alongside the Adriatic Sea, the course winds through centuries-old olive trees, natural dunes, and dramatic ocean vistas that rival many of Europe’s most celebrated seaside layouts. Unlike some better-known destinations, Puglia retains an authentic Italian character. Whitewashed villages, family-owned restaurants, fishing harbors, and boutique hotels create an atmosphere that feels both luxurious and refreshingly understated. For travelers looking to discover the Italy that many tourists still overlook, San Domenico delivers one of the country’s most memorable golf experiences. sandomenicogolf.com
Executive Snapshot
- Par: 72
- Course Rating / Slope: Approximately 73.5 / 136
- Length: 6,900 yards
- Summer Green Fee: €130–€150
- Difficulty: ★★★☆☆
- Access: One of the easiest premier courses in Italy to book; open to visitors with a valid handicap.
- Best For: Scenic coastal golf and relaxed vacations.
Don’t Miss
- Alberobello
- Ostuni
- Polignano a Mare
- Monopoli
- Adriatic beaches
Italy’s Greatest Luxury Isn’t the Golf
What separates Italy from other golf destinations isn’t necessarily that its courses are more famous. It’s that every round exists within one of the world’s richest cultural landscapes. A morning tee time can lead to lunch in a medieval village. An afternoon round can be followed by a private winery tour. A long weekend can become an unforgettable journey through history, cuisine, architecture, and hospitality. Golf simply becomes the thread connecting extraordinary experiences. For executives seeking destinations that reward both business and leisure, Italy continues to offer one of the most complete travel experiences anywhere in the world. And that’s exactly why these six courses deserve a place on every golfer’s summer itinerary.
