TURIN GOLF COURSE REVIEWS
Our recommended courses for Turin golfbreaks.

Golf in Turin - an introduction

Five miles to the North of Turin is the verdant expanse of the Royal Park La Mandria: an immense pair of leafy lungs for the busy city.  Within the park there is much to see and do including two Golf Clubs (with two golf courses each) that sit side-by-side: Torino Golf Club and I Roveri Golf Club.  These 72-holes, minutes from the city centre, make Turin very attractive for Italian golfbreaks, whether you stay in the city, out by the courses or halfway between at the fascinating Venaria Reale.  Plus, there are a few more courses too if you venture a little further afield into the winelands between Asti and Alessandria.

There is little to choose between the two courses at Torino Golf Club: some prefer the Blu, others the Giallo (Yellow).  Both thread their way through century-old forest, predominantly oak, that spread across a vast area within the Royal Park of La Mandria.  Aside from the obvious arboreal hazards, there is water in play too as the river that crosses the courses has been directed to pass in front of several Greens (totally encircling one on the Blu) and pooled into lakes and reservoirs that create more significant water hazards that are hard to miss (figuratively speaking!).  The two courses are tightly wrapped around the (beautiful) central Clubhouse with the Giallo mainly on the outside, except where it returns to the Clubhouse at half-time.  Two stately courses in the Royal Park where you are literally spoiled for choice!

The first of the two courses at I Roveri, so consequently the pick of the terrain was consecrated to Mr. Trent Jones through the long-established trees and over some gentle rises and falls.  He made good use of these natural contours to create a golf course that is more varied and more 'European' than some of his other work.  Resulting in a course that you would be happy to play more than once to appreciate all of its intricacies.  Good use has been made of a stream that cuts across several holes - in just the wrong places!

A very smart Clubhouse awaits you at the close of play and there are top-of-the-range practice facilities too, including the Eduardo Molinari Golf Academy, should you need to 'fine-tune' prior to heading for the 1^st Tee.

Slightly blander land for the second course at I Roveri but some gentle earth shifting has improved the relief and new plantings have filled-in the more open areas that are now filling-out nicely but still allow great views of the nearby Alps.  The Hurdzan-Fry course is very much a 'game of two halves' with the front-nine generally more forgiving as the Fairways are broad and flat - although it may not appear straigdtforward from the 2^nd Tee as you gaze out across the huge lake!  A short stroll to the 10^th Tee leads initially into more tree-lined holes that eventually give way to water hazards over the closing stretch.  Greens are generous in size, with some generous breaks too making for a good variety of pin-positions.

One of the finest designs in all of Italy.  Over perfect golfing land, Marco Croze has crafted an enthralling course where every hole is different and just about every variety of hole is present: hours of fun.  La Margherita may not have the deepest pockets in golf, but they have a jewel of a course, which they keep well polished!  The land lends itself perfectly to golfing, with many gentle slopes and plenty of twists and turns - nothing extreme but enough to keep you entertained every shot of the way.  Clubhouse leans towards the rudimentary, but they have all that is required (and the food is good!) including some of the biggest smiles in Italy - and so they should!  Not to be missed.

The almost secretive Le Betulle is often touted as Italy’s prettiest course and there is no denying that its setting in the tranquil wooded hills above Turin is delightful. Although quite a lengthy trip from the city centre, the combination of a devilishly difficult layout that follows the twists and turns of the countryside and a glorious setting makes it worth considering the drive.  Alternatively, there is accommodation available on-site in the delightful 'Foresteria' (Dormy House) with its charming en-suite bedrooms and outstanding restaurant; if you fancy the idea of a gastronomic golf retreat for a few nights, look no further!

Margara G.C. and the Monferrato region

Heading east from Turin, passing through the Barolo and Barbera vineyards of the Monferrato region between Asti and Alessandria, you will arrive at another fabulous 36-hole and Foresteria complex - Margara Golf Club.  Just about feasible as a day trip from Turin but in truth, it's better considered as a golf destination in its own right: two top-notch golf courses, high-class accommodation and cuisine, the whole wreathed in vineyards: for an oenophilic Italian golfbreak there's nowhere better!

The original course at Margara, designed in part and named after the Club's founder Snr. Glauco Lolli Ghetti, who bought the original farm and surrounding woodland estate to convert into two golf courses: he did a rather good thing.

The Lolli Ghetti course runs up-and-down through the oldest and the thickest of the trees creating a timeless golf course with spacious Fairways leading to small Greens that demand accurate approach play. Rough is kept to a minimum, so if you can avoid the tall trees and the occasional water hazard, you should be able to make good progress. Splendid Clubhouse to return to after your game where you will be fully refreshed by their fine fare.

La Guazzetta is quite a different proposition to the Lolli Ghetti: more open terrain in general where big bunkers will be your main obstacle.  However, the Greens are larger too so, in theory, easier to hit! La Guazzetta is by no means a pushover though as there are some narrow stretches too (start of the back-nine for instance) water dots the course as well and the Greens can be fast; it simply has a more open aspect - so don't forget your sunhat!

All-in-all these two quality two courses at Margara offer enough variety to warrant multiple visits (in between your wine-tasting!).

An intricate course through an old dynamite works in the foothills of the Alps that offers a tight and twisting test of your golfing abilities and some lovely views of the mountains and castles all around.    The front-nine has the majority of climbs to negotiate, so you'll be relieved to reach  the turn and the level-going of the back-nine.  Fairways remain tight, though it easier to retrieve an errant shot on the later holes: Greens are diminutive all the way around, so bring your favourite chipping stick!
The small lake at Avigliano is nearby with a simple hotel or two should you wish to stay and visit the hills and castles.

A short and simple course with holes close together that sits on the main road into Viverone (where you will find one of Italy's undiscovered lakes).  The course would be ideal for higher Handicappers and beginners, although it does have a fair bit of water in play!  Only half-an-hour from Biella, so perfectly possible to combine these two courses: there are a few simple hotels around the lake, should you wish to stay between the two.

Other courses to consider

Girasoli - Neighbouring the fabulous course at La Margherita but a totally different prospect: lovely setting but a basic golf course. They do, however have a few rooms in their rustic Farmhouse/Clubhouse where you could stay and make the most of La Margherita next door?!?