ROME GOLF COURSE REVIEWS
Where to play on your Roman golf holiday.

Roma (Acquasanta)  Architect: Cpt. A. Flach. 18 holes: 5,835m: par 71.

The oldest golf course in Italy and a very private Member’s club with a wonderful atmosphere both on the course and in the dellghtful Clubhouse. Set amongst rolling hills and tall pines, although quite hilly in many areas it often feels almost links-like, as you play through the bumps and hollows and back and forth over the ever-present brook. N.B. Visitor’s times limited at this very exclusive Club.

Castelgandolfo  Architect: R. Trent-Jones Snr. 18 holes: 5,855m: par 72.

A visually stunning combination of a unique setting and an exceptional golf course (even if a fraction short by modern norms).  This Trent Jones’ masterpiece is cradled in the bowl of an extinct volcano, with the clubhouse (a 17^th Century Bishop’s residence) perched on the rim of the caldera above. An amazing place to play golf.

Marco Simone Architect: D. Mezzacane & T. Fazio. 18 holes: 6,037m: par 70.

On a broad expanse of fairly open terrain to the East of Rome, the course extends over what was originally rolling pasture (albeit a long, long time ago!). Designed with tournament play in mind, Marco Simone has already hosted the Italian Open. If you have played any of the Fazio courses in the States you will recognise the style.  The complex also has a hotel and a short 'Executive' 18 hole course: ideal for a post-lunch round.

RYDER CUP VENUE 2023 (in case you weren't aware!).

Fioranello  Architect: D. Mezzacane  18 holes: 5,359m: par 70.

A peaceful course set amidst rolling farmland where only the odd goat bell might disturb your concentration. The course descends from the Clubhouse to the reasonably level front-nine; the slopes gradually increase over the back-nine towards the crescendo of the pair of Pannetones (nicknamed after the delicious Italian Easter cakes) - two very elevated greens, approaches to which will severely test your club selection.

Golf Nazionale - Le Querce  Architect: J. Fazio (1990). 18 holes: 6,462m: par 72.

If you like forest golf, you'll love the Golf Nazionale!  Querce is Italian for Oak and there is no shortage of them in this dense forest north of Rome.  The golf course has been hewn from these magnificent trees across land that rises and falls on a long woodland wander out from the charming Clubhouse and Foresteria*.  The course is one of Italy's greatest test of golf (hence its 'Nazionale' epithet) with the occasional water hazard to negotiate as well as all the spreading foliage.  This is prime forest, so no houses or other intrusions around the course to disturb you: just you, the trees and the birdies.
*Very nice rooms beside the Clubhouse should you wish to stay and make the utmost of the course and the practice facilities (as the Italian team does).

Olgiata Architect: C.K. Cotton. 3 x 9 holes: 6,547m: par 73.

Part of a very exclusive residential development, within commuting distance af the capital, Olgiata hos a rather rarified ambience about it.  The course is heavily wooded to provide privacy to the residents and likewise the golfers!  The course has been well thought-out with plentiful bunkering and a generous width of Fairway designed to test rather than incense you!  There are three loops of nine holes that are combined on rotation to for the 18-hole course: all are excellent and you will be happy to play whichever combination are together on your day.  Due to the exclusive nature of the Club, there is limited Tee-time availability - especially at weekends.

Parco di Roma  Architect: P. Dye  18 holes: 6,074m: par 72.

The closest golf course to the centre of Rome (you can see St. Peter's from the 14^th Tee!) and a rather special place it is too.  Pete Dye was handed enough land and budget to build two courses, then plans changed; 18-holes were conjured from the dark recesses of Mr. Dye's imagination distributed across this huge tract of rumpled countryside: the result is swing-boggling!  On arrival at the smoll, extremely friendly, Clubhouse, you'll have no idea of the treat that awaits you; as you climb the long path from the first Green to the second the full reality of what you are taking on slowly reveals itself...
A long, hilly course, so buggy advisable.

From Lake Bracciano the Ryder Cup course at Marco Simone can be reached quite easily via Rome's ringroad the GRA (Grand Raccordo Annulare) in just over an hour.  To be honest, the area around Marco Simone is not the most salubrious: best not to linger longer than necessary!

Marco Simone Architect: D. Mezzacane (1980) & T. Fazio (2018). 18 holes: 6,037m: par 70.

On a broad expanse of fairly open terrain to the East of Rome, the Marco Simone course extends over what was originally rolling pasture (albeit a long, long time ago!). Designed with tournament play in mind, Marco Simone has already hosted the Italian Open. If you have played any of the Fazio courses in the States you will recognise the style.  The complex also has a hotel and a short 'Executive' 18 hole course: ideal for a post-lunch round.

RYDER CUP VENUE 2023 (in case you weren't aware!).

Terre dei Consoli Architect: R. Trent Jones Jnr. (2016) 18 holes: 6,885m: par 72.

Torre dei Consoli is a recent residential and golf development to the North of Lake Bracciano that spreads across a large area of gently sloping ex-farmland.  Mr. Trent Jones has adorned this landscape with his trademark enormous Greens and Bunkers.  The course still feels pretty juvenile but offers the full suite of golfing tests at a very reasonable Green-fee, albeit with a fairly commercial ambience in and around the Clubhouse (timeshare sales desk for example); it will be interesting to see how it matures...