Golf in Florence

Florence is the capital city of the Tuscany province and perhaps the centre-stage of Italy's art collection. It sits on the banks of the winding Arno River in a hollow and is surrounded by beautiful hills. In terms its aesthetic pleasure, it doesn't get much better than this.

The Ugolino course in Grassina is the oldest golf club in Tuscany. Established in 1898 in the heart of Chianti and only a few miles from Florence, this spectacular hillside course features wonderful views of the countryside and, again, has a clubhouse that is a rare example of rationalist architecture. The course was built in 1935 and was previously known as the Florence Golf Course. It has hosted the Italian Open Championship and is the home of the Volvo Open of Florence. It is an undulating course following the slopes along the harmonious scenery landscape of the Chianti area. The views, therefore, are quite superb.

Poggio dei Medici Golf Club boasts an old 15th century villa as its clubhouse, with the course set out in a valley. The club is a short drive north of Florence and opened in 1995. The work of Baldovino Dassu, there are five different playing routes for your 18 holes and, aside from that, allows you to enjoy the very best of typical Tuscan countryside with cypress lines and middle-aged fortresses, towers and villages clearly on view in the distant hills.

Il Pavoniere is another inviting layout but is a little further out of Florence yet well worth the trip.
If playing among olive trees and vineyard covered hills is your idea of the perfect round of golf then Florence will be your ideal destination.