Golf in Tuscany: The best golf courses – and how to plan your holiday around them
It is half past six in the morning, and the sun is just rising over the hills of the Valdelsa valley. Dew still glistens on the fairway of the Castelfalfi Valley Course. The cypress trees lining the fairway cast shadows that look as if they were painted. Somewhere in the valley a church bell tolls, a car creaks along a gravel road. Nothing else. You stand at the tee, look out over the grass, see the medieval watchtower of Castelfalfi on the hill and think this is how a good day begins.
Golf in Tuscany is not a sport. It is an occasion to get up early, to find yourself in a landscape you would otherwise only know from postcards, and to spend a few hours there before the rest of the day begins. Anyone who understands this plans a holiday in Tuscany differently from someone who just wants to play. They plan a holiday in which golf is one of many delights – and not the only one.
Why Tuscany is one of Europe’s most outstanding golf destinations
There are golf destinations that are more efficient. The Algarve has courses situated closer together. Scotland has the legend of the links courses; Spain has sprawling resorts. But none of these regions can do what Tuscany does: embed a golf course so seamlessly into the landscape that the landscape itself becomes the best reason to play the round.
Here, you don’t just play on a course. You play through a slice of Italy. The fairways wind their way through olive groves, alongside vineyards, past medieval parish churches. Behind the third green stands a cypress-flanked hill that looks like the most famous in Italy – because it is. And after eighteen holes, you sit on a terrace overlooking the valley, sip a Vermentino and understand why some players return here every May.
Then there’s the climate. The season runs from April to October, with May, June and September as the undisputed highlights. July and August are hot, playable only with early tee times. Those who play in May or October get the weather of Scotland without the rain.
And then there’s the rest of the holiday: wine tastings in the afternoon, trattorias in the evening, thermal springs to soothe your legs afterwards. A region where a day’s golf is never just a day’s golf, but becomes part of a more comprehensive experience.
The most significant golf courses in Tuscany
Castelfalfi Golf & Resort – the region’s most prominent
Castelfalfi is the most spectacular destination in the Tuscan golfing world. The resort comprises a restored 12th-century medieval village, two golf courses, a spa and several restaurants. When you arrive here, you’re not just coming to a course, but to a little universe of its own.
The 9-hole Mountain Course is the more dramatic of the two: undulating, with elevation changes that make driver shots unexpectedly long, and greens whose positioning alone can cost you an extra stroke.
The 18-hole Valley Course is the fairer of the two – wider, easily navigable, with fairways that meander through the valley and where even players with a higher handicap can make good progress.
Green fees range from 65 to 110 euros, depending on the season and the course. Those who book early – ideally online via the resort’s website – can sometimes secure significant discounts.
What makes Castelfalfi special: it is a complex where you can spend a week without leaving the grounds. That isn’t to everyone’s taste – some prefer the blend of resort comfort and village authenticity that a nearby holiday home can offer. But for those who appreciate the all-inclusive resort experience combined with Tuscan authenticity, this is a rare combination.
Golf Club Montecatini – Thermal baths and golf
Montecatini Terme has been a spa town since the 19th century. The town’s Belle Époque architecture, Art Nouveau baths and old promenades – anyone arriving here is immersed in an Italy not found on the typical Tuscan itinerary. And on the outskirts of the town lies the Montecatini Golf Club.
The 18-hole course winds through park-like grounds with tall trees. Relatively flat, easy to walk, less spectacular than Castelfalfi, but more relaxed to play. Green fees between 45 and 70 euros.
What sets this course apart is the combination: after your round, you drive fifteen minutes into town, enter one of the historic thermal baths – Bagni Tettuccio, for example, with its late 19th-century fountains – and spend an hour in the warm water, which brings your legs back to life. That is a form of relaxation the newest resort cannot offer.
Punta Ala – Golf by the Sea
If you can hear the sea whilst you play, you’re in Punta Ala. The course lies on the Maremma coast, winding through ancient pine forests right by the sea, bathed in that special light the Tuscan coast has in the late afternoon. Salty air, the crunch of pinecones under your shoes, the sound of the waves in the background.
18 holes, moderately technical, exceptionally atmospheric. Green fees between 65 and 90 euros. What makes Punta Ala such a rare gem: few courses in Europe combine the seaside ambience so directly with the elegance of a Tuscan pine forest. Anyone who plays here in the morning and lies on the beach in the afternoon has ticked off two Italian clichés in a single day – and both were well worth it.
Versilia/Forte dei Marmi – the elegant coast
In the hinterland of Camaiore, with views of the Apuan Alps, lies the Versilia Golf Club. A 9-hole course, compact, well-maintained, ideal for relaxed morning rounds. Green fees between 40 and 60 euros.
But the real charm of this location isn’t the course itself. It’s the Versilia that begins afterwards. Forte dei Marmi in the evening – one of Italy’s most elegant promenades, with aperitif bars, seafood restaurants, and the beach in the background. Pietrasanta for its marble culture, Lucca for its city walls, the Apuan Alps for a day trip the next day. Anyone staying here who plays nine holes in the morning before the day really begins has chosen the best Versilia experience there is.
Antognolla near Perugia – on the border of Umbria
For holiday home guests in the border region between Tuscany and Umbria – around Lake Trasimeno, for example – Antognolla is the nearby destination.
The resort is situated in a medieval village near Perugia. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.
18 holes, technically the most challenging course in the region, with views of the Umbrian hills and the typical Tuscan-Umbrian mix of olive groves and cypress trees. Green fees between 60 and 95 euros. For players looking for a course with character who also want to explore Umbria as a holiday destination.
How to combine golf and a holiday home break
Resort or holiday home – a question of style
A stay at Castelfalfi is meticulously organised. That has its appeal: you don’t have to think about a thing, everything is provided, and the level of comfort is high. A holiday home in a nearby village – such as Certaldo or Volterra – is more authentic but requires a bit of initiative on your part. Here, you must take the car in the morning to drive to the course. In return, you stay in a stone house with an olive grove, shop at the weekly market and know the baker by name by the third day.
For many travellers, the second option is the more appealing one. It combines golf with the real Italy, where the rest of the day is spent.
When choosing a holiday home, it’s worth paying attention to realistic journey times. Thirty minutes to the course is reasonable; anything longer becomes a nuisance over time. A secure parking space for the car is also important – early tee times mean early departures, and a car parked in a narrow village lane isn’t always easy to manoeuvre at half past six in the morning.
For those who don’t play – what partners can do
There is this scenario where one partner plays golf and the other doesn’t. In many holiday destinations, this is a compromise. In Tuscany, it’s a gift.
While one is on the course, the other can be out and about in Chianti – Greve at the morning market, Panzano for a leisurely lunch at Dario Cecchini’s, Montefioralle for the views. Or a day at the thermal baths: Saturnia, Bagno Vignoni, San Filippo. Or Volterra with its Etruscan walls and alabaster tradition. Or simply a morning on your own terrace with a gripping book and a late breakfast, whilst the golfer finishes the last few holes.
In the evening, both come together, with stories that don’t overlap – and with the feeling that everyone has had their perfect day.
When the whole group plays
For travel groups where everyone plays golf, a larger holiday home and fixed tee times spread throughout the week are well worth it. A classic itinerary: two rounds on different courses, interspersed with joint excursions in the region. Castelfalfi on Monday, Punta Ala on Thursday, with a day in Florence or at a winery in between. This creates a blend of sport, culture and enjoyment that no dedicated golf hotel can offer.
Practical tips for Tuscany
Playing in May or October is the smartest decision a golfer in Tuscany can make. The temperatures are ideal, the courses are green, and there are fewer tourists. Anyone playing in July or August should plan tee times before 8 am or after 5 pm – anything else turns into a battle against the heat.
Most clubs expect classic golf attire: collared shirts, no shorts below the knee, no jeans. If you forget, you can usually buy new gear at the on-site pro shops – but it’s cheaper to check beforehand.
During the peak season, it’s best to book tee times two to three weeks in advance; at Castelfalfi, even earlier. Club hire is available – costing between 25 and 45 euros per round, with quality varying by club. If you wish to travel with your own clubs, you should check airline regulations or consider shipping via specialist providers.
The real charm of Tuscany – what isn’t on the scorecard
There is that moment in the late afternoon when the round is over and the day is still young. Your legs feel the eighteen holes – a little, but not too much. A glass of Vermentino awaits on the clubhouse terrace. The hills turn golden in the evening light; the cypresses cast the longest shadows of the day. Somewhere down in the valley, a bell begins to ring – perhaps a small parish church, perhaps just a clock. You don’t know for sure, and it doesn’t really matter.
That is the moment that sets Tuscan golf apart from a golf holiday elsewhere. In Scotland, you’d head back to the hotel now, get changed, and go to the pub. In the Algarve, you’d sit by the pool. Here, you sit on a terrace with a view of the cypress trees and perhaps think about the birdie chance you missed on the 14th. Above all, you think about what’s on the menu tonight at the trattoria in the village. Probably pici al ragù di cinghiale. Probably with a glass of Chianti Classico Riserva. Probably followed by an espresso and a Vin Santo.
This isn’t a sport. It’s a way of life that just happens to begin on a golf course. And it’s the real reason why more players return in May or October – not just for the courses. But for what happens after the round.
Frequently asked questions about golfing experiences in Tuscany
Which golf course in Tuscany is the most impressive?
That depends on your travel style. Castelfalfi for drama and resort comfort, Punta Ala for a seaside atmosphere, Versilia for the combination with the elegant coastline, Montecatini for the spa experience.
How much do green fees cost in Tuscany?
Depending on the course and season, between 40 and 110 euros per round. Castelfalfi is the most expensive, Montecatini and the Versilia courses the cheapest.
Can you hire clubs at Tuscan golf courses?
Yes, at all major clubs. Quality and price vary – it is recommended to enquire before travelling.
When should you book tee times?
During the peak season from May to October, it is best to book tee times two to three weeks in advance; at Castelfalfi, even earlier.
Is golf in Tuscany also worthwhile for beginners or players with a higher handicap?
Courses such as Montecatini or Versilia are also very playable for players with an average handicap. Castelfalfi Mountain Course and Antognolla are more challenging – but manageable if you choose the right tee.
Conclusion
Golf in Tuscany is one of those rare holiday destinations where the course itself isn’t the most important thing. It’s the region that surrounds the game: the hills between the holes, the restaurants in the evening, the wine cellars in the afternoon, and the thermal springs to soothe your legs afterwards. Anyone who understands this will plan a golf holiday in Tuscany differently from a holiday in the Algarve or Scotland. They will plan it as an Italian holiday, in which golf is just one of many delights.
The key recommendations from this article: travel in May, June or October — the climate is ideal, the courses are well-maintained, and there are few tourists. Choose between a resort stay (Castelfalfi) and a holiday home with a course nearby (in the villages around Volterra, Certaldo, Camaiore) – both options have their merits, but they lead to completely different holiday experiences. Book tee times two to three weeks in advance. And don’t forget the non-golfing companions — in Tuscany, there is more for them to experience than in almost any other golf destination in Europe.
Anyone who has spent a week in Tuscany with two or three rounds of golf, a visit to a vineyard, a spa and several long dinners will return with something that neither a pure golf resort nor a classic Tuscan holiday can offer: the combination of sport, indulgence and lifestyle that makes this region one of the most fabulous places in Europe for discerning travel.