Category: Italy

The Must-See Golf Events in Europe

During 2018, the European Tour features 47 tournaments, 24 of which are in Europe. With golf events spread right across the continent, there has never been a better time to travel to the must-see golf events in Europe.
To help you decide which European Tour tournament to visit in 2018, we’ve chosen a few of our favourites and shared some extra inspiration to help make planning your golf holiday a bit easier.

Austria

Famous for its Alpine landscape, Austria becomes a golfer’s paradise once the seasonal snow has melted. Famous for picturesque mountain villages, baroque architecture and spectacular music, Vienna, Austria’s capital city, makes the perfect destination for a golf holiday. Boasting an oceanic climate, Vienna enjoys warm summers with average high temperatures ranging between 24C and 33C.

Must-see Golf Events in Austria

The 2018 Shot Clock Masters

When: 7th June 2018 – 10th June 2018
Where: Diamond Country Club, Atzenbrugg, near Vienna.

Golf Holidays to Austria

Fly to: Vienna Airport
Stay: Transfers from Vienna Airport to Vienna take approximately 25 minutes.
Play: In addition to Diamond Country Club, we advise visits to Golf-Club Wien, Golf & Country Club Brunn and Colony Golf Club.

England

Largely comprising of low hills and plains, England’s terrain has produced some of the best golf courses in the world. Host to 3 major tournaments in the 2018 European Tour, the country boasts a temperate maritime climate that offers mild temperatures ideal for play.

Whilst there are many locations for golf holidays in England, if you are planning to visit one of the must-see golf events in Europe during 2018, we recommend staying in Surrey in southeast England, although all events can be reached from London through a transfer.

Must-see Golf Events in England

GolfSixes

When: 5th May 2018 – 6th May 2018
Where: Centurion Club, St. Albans

BMW PGA Championship

When: 24th May 2018 – 27th May 2018
Where: Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey

British Masters

When: 11th October 2018 – 14th October 2018
Where: Walton Heath Golf Course, Walton on the Hill, Surrey

Golf Holidays to England

Fly to: London City Airport, London Gatwick Airport London Heathrow Airport, London Luton Airport, London Stansted Airport in addition to other major airports in England.
Stay: Transfers from London Airports to Surrey take between 30 minutes and 2 hours.
Play: In addition to the host golf clubs, we recommend visiting Sunningdale Golf Club, St. George’s Hill Golf Club and Queenwood Golf Club.

France

No description of the French landscape will ever be sufficient. From the undulating countryside, magnificent mountainous regions, sophisticated coastal resorts and iconic cities, whatever you are looking for in a golf holiday, France offers.

Host to one of the most exciting golf events in 2018, Paris is the ultimate destination for a golf holiday. Combining the chic cityscape with glorious golf courses, the French capital city will create a golf holiday to remember.

Must-see Golf Events in France

HNA Open De France

When: 28th June 2018 – 1st July 2018
Where: Le Golf National, Paris

The Ryder Cup

When: 28th September 2018 – 30th September 2018
Where: Le Golf National, Paris

Golf Holidays to France

Fly to: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Stay: Transfers from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris take approximately 35 minutes.
Play: In additional to Le Golf National, we recommend visiting Golf de Saint Germain, Golf de Saint-Cloud and Paris International Golf Club.

Ireland

Separated from Great Britain by the North Channel, the Irish Sea and St George’s Channel, Ireland’s windswept landscape is home to some of the best golf courses in the world. Comprised of low-lying mountains surrounding a central plain, it is the island’s coast which has produced some of its most famous golf clubs.

Whilst golf holidays on either coast will prove to be a memorable experience, a journey to the most northerly point will let you experience the magic of Ballyliffin Golf Club.

Must-see Golf Events in Ireland

Dubai Duty-Free Irish Open

When: 5th July 2018 – 8th July 2018
Where: Ballyliffin Golf Club, Country Donegal

Golf Holidays to Ireland

Fly to: Dublin Airport or Shannon Airport.
Stay: Transfers from Dublin Airport to Letterkenny take approximately 3 hours 15 minutes.
Play: In addition to the 2 courses offered at Ballyliffin Golf Club, we recommend visits to Portsalon Golf Club, North West Golf Club and Rosapenna Golf Links.

Italy

Featuring strong Mediterranean influences, Italy is full of cultural cities and country clubs. Enjoying a pleasant climate, summers are generally hot. Whilst golf holidays to the famous cities of Rome and Venice make for great golf experiences, don’t forget to consider Sicily or Sardinia when planning your Italian golf trip.

Must-see Golf Events in Italy

Rocco Forte Open

When: 10th May 2018 – 13th May 2018
Where: Verdura Golf Club, Sicily

Italian Open

When: 31st May 2018 – 3rd June 2018
Where: Gardagolf Country Club, Brescia

Golf Holidays in Italy

Fly to: Milan Malpensa Airport, Venice Marco Polo Airport or Venice Treviso Airport are great for travelling to the Italian Open, whilst either Catania Airport or Palermo Airport is fine for the Rocco Forte Open.
Stay: Whilst we recommend staying at a golf resort in Sicily, transfers from Milan Malpensa Airport to Milan take approximately 50 minutes.
Play: If you are travelling to Sicily, we recommend playing at all three golf resorts: Donnafugata Golf Resort, Il Picciolo Golf Club and Verdura Golf & Spa Resort. On the mainland, in addition to Gardagolf Country Club, we recommend visiting Royal Park I Roveri Golf Club, Golf Club Arzaga and Circolo Golf Bogogno.

Portugal

Situated on the Iberian Peninsula, bordering Spain, Portugal is known globally for its fantastic golf courses. Featuring a significant Atlantic coast, it is the Algarve that has the most iconic golf experiences. Enjoying a warm climate all year-round, this stretch of coastline is a golfer’s dream.

Must-see Golf Events in Portugal

Portugal Masters

When: 20th September 2018 – 23rd September 2018
Where: Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, Vilamoura

Golf Holidays in Portugal

Fly to: Faro Airport
Stay: Transfers from Faro Airport to Vilamoura take approximately 30 minutes.
Play: In addition to the host course, we recommend visiting Vale do Lobo, Vila Sol Golf Resort and Vilamoura Old Course Golf Club.

Scotland

Featuring magnificent mountains, glacial glens and lochs, Scotland provides a memorable backdrop for any golf course. The home of golf, the country is filled with numerous internationally-recognised golf courses. Whilst we recommend Edinburgh as a golf holiday destination, with Edinburgh and Glasgow only 1-hour transfer apart, why not stay in both?

Must-see Golf Events in Scotland

Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open

When: 12th July 2018 to 15th July 2018
Where: Gullane Golf Club, Gullane

147th Open Championship

When: 19th July 2018 to 22nd July 2018
Where: Carnoustie Golf Links, Carnoustie

European Golf Team Championships

When: 8th August 2018 to 12th August 2018
Where: Gleneagles, Perthshire

Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

When: 4th October 2018 to 7th October 2018
Where: Old Course St. Andrews, Carnoustie & Kingsbarns

Golf Holidays in Scotland

Fly to: Edinburgh Airport or Glasgow Airport
Stay: Transfers from Edinburgh Airport to Edinburgh take approximately 40 minutes.
Play: Apart from the host golf clubs, we recommend visiting North Berwick Golf Club, Royal Burgess Golfing Society and Royal Musselburgh Golf Club.

Spain

Featuring diverse geography and cultures, Spain offers incredible variety for golf holidays. Famous for it’s several ‘Costa’s’, the Spanish coast enjoys a pleasant climate and is perfect for golf all-year-round. Whilst there are numerous destinations that offer great golf opportunities, we recommend looking at the famous Costa del Sol, also known as ‘Costa del Golf’.

Must-see Golf Events in Spain

Andalucía Valderrama Masters

When: 18th October 2018 – 21st October 2018
Where: Real Club Valderrama, Sotogrande.

Golf Holidays in Spain

Fly: Gibraltar Airport or Malaga Airport
Stay: Transfers from Malaga Airport to Estepona take approximately 1 hour 10 minutes.
Play: In addition to Real Club Valderrama, we recommend visiting  Estepona Golf, Real Club de Golf Sotogrande and San Roque Golf Club.

We hope this guide to the must-see events in Europe has helped inspire your next golf holiday.

Wherever you decide to go, don’t forget to get an instant quote from Golf-Drives for your golf transfers. Golf-Drives will transfer you from the airport to your hotel, your hotel to the golf course, and back again! Book online now!

A Golfers Guide to A Golf Holiday in Italy

Perfect climate, spectacular landscapes and delicious food; Italy is the perfect destination for a European golf holiday. Between the glistening lakes and rugged coastlines, Italy is home to some spectacular top-quality golf courses. However, as the country varies so dramatically it can be hard to know where to visit on your golf holiday. We’ve shared our favourite regions to help you decide where to go on your Italian golfing holiday.

Golf Holidays in Turin

The capital city of Piedmont in northern Italy, Turin is renowned for its beautiful architecture and delicious cuisine. Partially surrounded by the Alps, golf courses benefit from the breath-taking natural beauty of the area. If you are looking for courses with countless elevation changes, Golf Club Biella and Golf Club Des Iles Borromes are perfect options. Whilst Golf Club Biella is located on the slopes of the Serra moraine, Golf Club Des Iles Borromes offers dramatic views of the Swiss Alps, the Ticino Plain, Milan skyline and a handful of Italian lakes.

Golf Holidays in Milan

The second most populous city in Italy, Milan is the capital of Lombardy and is known as a global leader in design and fashion. Located in the northwestern section of the Po Valley, the city is situated between the Alps and the river Po. Close to the great lakes, the golf courses located in the area are some of the most picturesque in the country. Set within a parkland estate close to Lake Garda, Golf Club Arzaga features a Jack Nicklaus II design, whilst Royal Park I Roveri Golf Club is located in a former royal hunting reserve.

Golf Holiday in Sicily

An autonomous region of Italy, Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Served by Catania Airport, Sicily is separated from the mainland by the Strait of Messina, the terrain is mostly hilly, giving rise to some incredible golf courses. Located on the slopes of Mount Etna, Il Picciolo has hosted five open championships including the Sicilian Ladies Italian Open, whilst Verdura Golf & Spa Resort has been named as an official European Tour Destination.

Golf Holidays in Rome

One of the most famous cities in the world, Rome’s history spans 28 centuries. In light of this, the areas golf clubs incorporate the regions historical past and offers a unique experience for visitors. Whilst Castelgandolfo Golf & Country Club is situated in the remains of an ancient volcanic crater, Circolo del Golf di Roma Aquasanta has views of the Via Appia Antica Roman aqueduct arches and the ancient tomb of Cecilia Metella.

Golf Holidays in Sardinia

Located to the south of Corsica, Sardinia is served by Cagliari Airport and is another autonomous region of Italy. Featuring a rocky coastline and incredible mountain ranges, the island’s geography provides the perfect backdrop for exclusive golf resorts.  Located in the Costa Smeralda region, Pevero Golf Club offers glimpses of Corsica on a clear day, whilst Is Molas Golf Resort has hosted an impressive four Italian Opens.

Golf Holidays from Venice Airport

Served by both Venice Marco Polo Airport and Venice Treviso Airport, Venice is a fabulous location for a golf holiday. The capital of the Veneto region, this northeastern Italian city is made up of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by bridges. Although you might not automatically associate Venice with a golf holiday, it is home to some of the most prestigious clubs in the country such as Golf Club Udine. One must visit is Circolo Golf Venezia which opened in 1930 and is the oldest club in the region.

We hope this has helped you decide which Italian region to visit and enjoy a golf holiday.

Golf-Drives offers transfers from the airports in all of these destinations, and can take you from the airport to hotel, hotel to the course and back again! Get a quick, hassle-free quote now!