Acaya Golf Club is a fantastic choice for golfers looking to combine championship golf with the sunshine, food and relaxed atmosphere of southern Italy. Located in the heart of Salento, close to Lecce and the Adriatic coast, the course sits within beautiful Mediterranean countryside surrounded by native scrub, open landscapes and ancient olive trees. It is exactly the sort of setting that makes a golf holiday in Puglia feel completely different from the more familiar golf destinations around Europe.

Designed by the American team of Hurdzan and Fry, Acaya is an 18-hole, par-71 course measuring 6,192 metres from the back tees. The layout has been carefully worked into the natural terrain, and what we particularly like is the amount of variety you get across the round. Rather than relying purely on length, the course continually asks you to think about positioning, club selection and where the safest side of the fairway or green might be.

Water features prominently on several holes, while bunkers, Mediterranean vegetation and strategically shaped greens create plenty of decisions. The 8th is a good example, with water sitting to the left of this par 3 and bunkers protecting the right, leaving very little room for indecision. Later in the round, the par-5 16th stretches for more than 500 metres and works its way through a double dogleg, making course management just as important as distance.

We also really like the closing two holes. The 17th is a short par 3 played to a small green surrounded by bunkers, before the 18th provides a much tougher finish with water on both sides and four bunkers adding to the challenge. It is a closing stretch that can quickly change the scorecard if concentration slips.

One of Acaya's biggest advantages is having the Acaya Golf Resort & Spa right alongside the course. The four-star resort sits within extensive Mediterranean grounds and offers spacious accommodation, restaurants, outdoor swimming pools and a wellness centre. There is also access to a private beach, making it a particularly good option for couples or groups where everyone wants more from the holiday than golf alone.

Lecce is only a short journey away and is well worth exploring between rounds, while Salento's coastline, historic towns and brilliant local food give you plenty of reasons to stay for more than a couple of nights.

For golfers who want to discover a less obvious part of Italy, Acaya Golf Club offers an excellent mix of challenging golf, resort facilities and southern Italian character. Speak to our Golf Travel Experts at Hashtag Golf Travel and we can create a tailor-made Puglia golf holiday including Acaya, your accommodation and everything you need for your trip.