Golf in Tuscany - Region of the Month
Welcome to our brand new series of articles featuring Italian regions and their history, traditions, typical food and drinks and most importantly their best golf courses.
Let’s dive deep into Tuscany’s features and golfing havens!
Tuscany Curiosities and History
Tuscany is an Italian region located in the central area of the country.
Its history and traditions are an important part of the country’s cultural heritage and still affect the lifestyle in the region.
Florence, the capital city, has been fulcrum of the regional economy, culture and social life ever since its first settlement.
Tuscany’s primary sources of income are: clothing and footwear industries, furniture industries and machine industries. Nonetheless, Tuscany is very well known for its delicious wines and culinary traditions, which we’ll cover below.
In case you want to find out more about the history of Tuscany, we recommend you to read this page.
Tuscany Landmarks
Here’s a short landmark list curated for short stays and for golfers, in order to achieve the most out of the available time and to enjoy the local culture.
Florence: Duomo, Basilica of Santa Croce, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Vecchio. Here you can see all the main landmarks and the most beautiful features of Florence.
Siena: Duomo, Piazza del Campo, Santa Maria della Scala, Torre del Mangia and Palazzo Pubblico. In case you want to find out more, check out this page.
Pisa: Tower of Pisa, Piazza dei Miracoli, Duomo, Battistero di San Giovanni, Camposanto. You can find more landmarks here.
Food & Wine in Tuscany
Tuscany is full of culinary and winemaking traditions as one could imagine.
Here are our best recommendations for our beloved golfers and travelers:
Fiorentina Steak: the most iconic plate of the region. Combining a juicy Fiorentina steak with the local wines will impress even the most sophisticated taste buds.
Truffle and Porcini Mushrooms Tagliatelle: this recipe is rich in flavor and emotions. You can taste the Florentine hills through these simple, yet precious ingredients.
Wild Boar Pasta: It’s arguably an improved version of bolognese sauce. Taste the wild side of Tuscany and treat yourself to one of the creamiest and richest recipes of the region.
Chianti: The most famous wine of the region and one of the most prestigious worldwide. Chianti is a very flavory, dry wine with a pleasant floral scent. It’s recommended with meat dishes and strong flavors.
Bolgheri: Typical wine with fruity and balsamic notes, very fresh and vibrant, to be combined with savory plates.
Brunello di Montalcino: One of the best known wines of the region. Brunello is acid and fruity, making it rich in flavour and pleasant in the mouth. Ideal for moist foods with bold sauces.
What to do in Tuscany
Wondering what are the best activities - besides golf - and excursions you can enjoy in Tuscany?
We’ve got your back (like a caddy does):
Florence Sightseeing Tour: Florence, being one of the most important cities in Italy, has a lot to offer to any type of traveler. From Historical places to shopping and fun, you’ll find what appeases you the best.
Wine Tasting Tour: Given the amount of typical wines and local wineries, a wine tasting tour is one of the best experiences in Tuscany. Walk, cycle or drive around and try the best wine bottles you could imagine.
e-Bike and Mountain Bike Tour: the Tuscan hills are the perfect ground for bike and mountain bike tours, as they combine great landscapes, clean air and inspiring views. Cherry on top of the cake, once the tour is over, you can enjoy one of the typical plates and treat yourself with a proper glass of wine.
Best Golf Courses in Tuscany
Tuscany is home to some of the most beautiful and renowned golf courses and clubs in the country.
Here are our top picks for Tuscany Golf Courses together with information and dedicated tips:
Castelfalfi Golf Club
The largest golf course in Tuscany: over 9,400 meters of fairways bordered by groves and olive trees, forming the perfect setting for your swing. Thanks to the architects Preißmann and Moroder, who have enhanced the beauty of its landscape, the 27-hole layout is now divided into two spectacular courses that throw down the gauntlet to the most expert players but also guarantee an enjoyable experience to passionate beginners.
Mountain Course: Among the most difficult in Italy, this is a Championship Course with a high technical content, thanks to its steep slopes. Very appreciated by more experienced players, its layout offers different game strategies and enchanting panoramic views over the Castle of Castelfalfi.
Lake Course: The Lake Course is a shorter and more open course, with a charming and fun layout suitable for golfers of all levels. Set in an unrivaled panorama, the course begins with a west-oriented tee, following the gentle curves of the Tuscan hills.
Castiglion del Bosco Golf Club
This amazing, private Golf Club offers the possibility to play on a stunning field, surrounded by the Tuscan landscape and hills and enriched by the precious castle clubhouse.
This exclusive course is currently being renewed to improve its quality and beauty even further.
Only 180 players can access the course, making the experience very personal and enjoyable.
Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort
Argentario Golf Club offers a varied, spectacular and technically challenging course, weaving in and out of natural Mediterranean vegetation and ancient olive groves.
Among the 18 panoramic holes, two dominate the sea and the lagoon, one is immersed in the Mediterranean vegetation, and another features water hazard running along one side of the green. A refreshing breeze mitigates the temperature and adds an extra challenge to the game, which, on this course, requires a combination of accuracy and power.
Punta Ala Golf Club
In the spring of 1964, Punta Ala Golf Club opened its doors, welcoming golf enthusiasts to its stunning course. This magnificent course spans an impressive 6,168 meters with a PAR of 72. Set amidst the enchanting Maremma scrubland, the landscape is adorned with a rich tapestry of evergreen vegetation which, combined with the blue sea and the sumptuous mountains, create the perfect backdrop for a challenging and inspiring match.
The 18-hole course, meticulously designed by Giulio Cavalsani, embodies the finest principles of modern golf architecture. With each one offering a different level of difficulty, the course caters to the needs and preferences of every player.
Strategically placed across the available area, the greens, which are predominantly undulating and generously sized, add an extra layer of excitement to the game.
On Christmas 2023, Punta Ala will open its 31-bedroom resort to welcome golfers and travelers from all over the world.
La Bagnaia Golf Resort
Royal Golf La Bagnaia located just outside Siena in the Tuscan hills offers golf lovers an 18-hole course spread over 130 hectares and surrounded by the most wonderful Tuscan nature.
This prestigious course was designed by the world-renowned architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. who shaped the course so that it would fit completely into the landscape. The Bagnaia Resort is a benchmark for golf in Tuscany and remains one of the most popular courses in Italy.
Tuscany Travel Package - Featured Golfing Trips in Tuscany
Eager to experience Tuscany and to play golf on its finest courses?
Here are our custom packages for your next golfing trip!
Argentario, golf and wine in the heart of the Maremma
In case you have special requests or different needs for your golfing trip, do not hesitate to contact us or request a custom Golf Tour here.
Tuscany Italy Golf: Is it the destination for you?
Tuscany, as we’ve seen together, is a stunning place rich in history, traditions and activities.
If you'd like to treat yourself with some top-class food and with some of the finest golf courses in Italy, look no further. Check out the packages above or click here for the full list.
Alternatively, if you’re interested in booking a golfing trip here or anywhere else, you can email us at: info@golftourexperience.com and have us arrange everything for you.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your next golfing trip or you’d just like to learn more about Italian golfing experiences, follow us on our social media and subscribe to our newsletter to receive special tips and articles like this one.
See you in Tuscany!