What Makes Golf in Italy Different from Anywhere Else

Golf is played all over the world, but it is not experienced the same way everywhere. The swing might be universal, but the rhythm, the landscapes, and the way a golf day unfolds can change completely depending on where you are. Italy is a perfect example of that.

If you have never played golf in Italy before, here are a few ways it stands apart from what you may be used to, and why that makes it so memorable.

1. You Will Notice the Pace Right Away

Golf in Italy tends to move at a different speed. It is not rushed. Rounds can stretch out, especially on courses where views invite you to slow down or where locals take time to chat with one another at the start.

This is not a sign of inefficiency. It is a reflection of how people here approach leisure. A round of golf is not just a sport. It is part of the day. It might include a proper lunch or a post-round drink with friends. We recommend leaning into that pace and giving yourself room to enjoy it fully.

2. The Courses Are Woven into the Landscape

Many of the courses we use were designed to follow the natural contours of the land. That means you may not see perfectly symmetrical layouts or artificially sculpted features. Instead, you will find holes that curve around olive groves, dip into forested valleys, or stretch out toward distant mountains.

Courses like Antognolla or Royal Golf La Bagnaia feel like they have always been part of their surroundings, even though they are modern in design. That connection to place is part of what makes them special.

3. Golf Often Comes with a Cultural Layer

Depending on where you play, you may be within easy reach of a vineyard, a thermal spa, a medieval hill town, or a historic site. That means a round of golf can be just one part of a larger day. You might play in the morning, visit a winery in the afternoon, and enjoy a meal in a family-run trattoria by evening.

Courses in regions like Tuscany, Umbria, and Veneto are often no more than a short drive from places that travelers come to Italy to see. Golf here is not a retreat from the culture. It is a window into it.

4. People Play for Joy, Not Just for Score

That is not to say competition does not exist here. But the general feeling is that a round of golf should be enjoyable, even if it is not perfect. We hear it often from guests: there is something refreshing about playing in a setting where beauty and company matter as much as the final tally.

When you play in Italy, you are part of a tradition that values time, scenery, good company, and a bit of calm between swings.

If you are coming to Italy for golf, come ready to play. But also come ready to experience something beyond the game itself. The courses are only part of the story. What makes golf in Italy different is everything that happens around it.

If you would like help choosing courses that reflect the kind of experience you are looking for, we are always here to talk.