Marco Simone Golf & Country Club
Rome
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club is one of the most exciting choices for an Italy golf holiday, especially for UK golfers who want to combine championship golf with a proper Rome city break. Set just outside the Italian capital, the course gives you the rare chance to play a modern Ryder Cup venue while still being close enough to enjoy Rome’s restaurants, history and sightseeing after your round.
The course is best known as the host venue of the 2023 Ryder Cup, the first time the event was held in Italy. Originally designed by Jim Fazio in the late 1980s, Marco Simone was later redesigned by Tom Fazio II and European Golf Design ahead of the Ryder Cup, creating a more strategic, spectator-friendly layout with risk-and-reward holes, wider landing areas and dramatic views across the Roman countryside.
The Ryder Cup Course plays as a par 72 and measures 6,674 metres, with lakes, rolling terrain and amphitheatre-style areas shaping the experience. On several holes, golfers can enjoy views towards Rome’s skyline, including St Peter’s Basilica, while the historic Marco Simone castle adds a proper sense of place.
For a Rome golf break, Marco Simone is ideal as the headline round, especially when paired with time in the city or nearby courses around Lazio. It suits golfers who want more than a relaxed resort game: this is tournament golf, Italian scenery and Rome all rolled into one memorable trip.
Rome Ciampino
18km
England’s best golf tour operator 2026 winner
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Time Zone:
GMT+1
Currency:
CHF (Swiss Franc)
Temperature:
2°C - 33°C
Cost of a Beer:
£8.50
Cost of a 3-Course Meal:
£70
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About The Area
I’m treating Pontinhas as the locality on Porto Santo, Madeira, which works really well for a quieter island golf holiday with beach time built in. For golfers who like Madeira but want something softer, sunnier and more laid-back than Funchal, Pontinhas gives you a peaceful base close to Porto Santo’s famous golden coastline.
For golf, the big draw is Porto Santo Golf Club. Designed by Seve Ballesteros, it opened in 2004 and includes an 18-hole course plus a 9-hole par-3 course, making it suitable for both serious golfers and mixed-ability groups. The main course is a proper island experience, with lakes, wide Atlantic views and dramatic cliffside holes, so it feels very different from a standard resort round.
Away from the course, Porto Santo is all about slowing down. The island is famous for its nine-kilometre sandy beach, with golden sand and warm waters, making it ideal for relaxed afternoons after golf. We would also recommend the Porto Santo Promenade, Portela Viewpoint, Calheta Beach for sunset, and a wander around Vila Baleira for food, drinks and local island atmosphere.
Our tip: choose Pontinhas if your group wants a Madeira golf break that feels calm, scenic and easy, with great golf, beach days and proper island charm.
