7 nights with breakfast at Toscana Resort Castelfalfi and three green fees per person (Castelfalfi Golf Club, Montecatini and Cosmopolitan)

An abandoned and neglected gem. This used to be the Golf Club Castelfalfi, opened more than twenty years ago in an enchanted place in the heart of Tuscany, twenty kilometers from San Gimignano. This hamlet is so beautiful that director Roberto Benigni chose it in 2002 as the setting for some of the scenes in his film “Pinocchio”. New funds and an ambitious project brought the golf course to life again: it was completely redesigned in 2010 and now totals 18 holes, the Mountain Course, and 9 more recent holes, the Lake Course. The minds behind the project are Bolzano natives and golf course designers Rainer Preissmann and Wilfriend Moroder, both members of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects EIGCA, who eliminated the holes that were too uphill as well as those with blind strokes, and who understood how to take advantage of the beauty of the landscape, which at times risks distracting golfers: gentle hills, cypresses, olive trees, vineyards and then the castle, which serves as backdrop for Hole 18 and its island green. Even the medieval hamlet overlooking the golf course together with the castle and a series of farmhouses scattered over the 1100 hectare estate have undergone total restoration, which has transformed Castelfalfi from an almost uninhabited medieval village into a resort complete with a hotel, wellness center and conference center, restaurants, shops, apartments, villas, and in the middle of it all, a golf course. Technical Details Mountain Course, 18 Holes, Par 72, 6351 meters Lake Course, 9 holes, Par 36, 3171 meters Architect : Rainer Preissmann & Wilfried Moroder Topography : hilly, but not steep Special features : a successful mix of European design and international design Pro’s comments The mountain course of Castelfalfi is wonderful and demanding; doglegs, ups and downs, well-defended greens in a truly unique context. Strategy plays a fundamental role in particular on Hole 5, a very long par 5 (580 meters from the furthest tees), a double dogleg that seems like it will never end and the stunning Hole 18, a closing hole worthy of an open championship for beauty and design. This course deserves to be visited, so don’t miss it. If you have a high handicap on the other hand and want a course that is more within your reach, I recommend the 9-holes of the lake course, which are a little less demanding and offer a few more distractions.

Choosing a course around Florence is a true pleasure, no matter where you decide to play. Westward, there is an important spa town known as Montecatini where a golf course could simply not be missing. In fact, on the road climbing towards Mount Vettolini in Pievaccia community you will find the Golf Montecatini Terme, a course which opened in 1985 and knows exactly how to challenge players with its water hazards, deep gorges and tall trees. The course is perfectly inserted in its natural surroundings and each hole has its own distinct personality. The differences in level and hills on the course are at times significant. You must adapt your swing to the slopes and some players prefer to use a golf cart – in order to better appreciate the beauty of the landscape.

The stone clubhouse overlooking the valley is also quite charming. The waters of the Gulf of Baratti, the profile of the Amiata Mountains and the lands of Leonardo da Vinci can be glimpsed from the terrace.

In addition to the course, the club offers picturesque accommodations, a wellness area, pool and an excellent restaurant.

Technical Details

Course: 18 holes, Par 72, 5857 meters

Architect: Marco Croze

Topography: hillside, many trees, water hazards

Distinctive features: those who are not able to bring sloping courses under control, will learn it here.

Pro’s comments

For once, we do not need to speak of lakes (only three holes are touched by water) or deep bunkers. The Golf Montecatini’s greatest difficulties are caused by the differences in level and gorges which complicate play. The greens are small with significant slopes. Using a golf cart is perhaps an option to take into consideration. The course finishes with a challenging Par 3, with a green designed beneath the clubhouse in a gorgeous setting, typical of the Tuscan hills. You must play it several times to thoroughly appreciate it.

Opened on the estate of the former Tirrenia film studios in 1992, the Cosmopolitan Golf & Country Club entrance is only two minutes by car from the fascinating 9-hole course of the Golf Club Tirrenia. Here the characteristics are completely different from those of the “neighbors”: not many trees, wide fairways, many water hazards which, together with wind and the terrain’s sandy base, combine to make the course technically interesting. The position is particularly enjoyable and convenient at the same time: we are in the heart of the San Rossore Regional Park, just steps away from the Tyrrhenian Sea and a few kilometers from the center of Pisa and its airport.

With the consultation of David Mezzacane, an important restyling of the course was recently completed which involved introducing new bunkers and remodeling some holes. To crown it all, impressive local trees were planted.

You will be struck by the clubhouse, in which you can recognize the touch of a famous architect: the architectural project with a circular ground plan and large cupola is by Aldo Rossi, and was presented to the Beaubourg Museum in Paris as an example of contemporary Italian architecture.

Course:18 holes, par 72, 6291 meters, 6291 meters

Architect: David Mezzacane

Topography: flat, clearings

Distinctive features: the wind is always blowing. Usual drive’s lenght won’t be guaranteed.

I really like courses close to the sea, because they are always different and never boring, due to the wind.

What’s more, the Cosmopolitan Golf Club adds 11 out of 18 holes where water hazards make the course rather complicated.

The twin par-5 holes (9 and 18 left dogleg) must be played with caution and attention: place the first two strokes well on the right side of the fairway to have a simpler third stroke.

The water hazard in front of the greens is just waiting for your golf ball, especially if the wind is blowing from the sea: BEWARE.