Golf del Ducato
Sala Baganza
Golf del Ducato’s main 18-hole La Rocca Course is set near Sala Baganza, around ten minutes south of Parma in Italy’s celebrated Food Valley. Positioned beside the Boschi di Carrega nature reserve, this peaceful parkland layout winds through oak and acacia woodland, small lakes and gently rolling countryside.
Opened in 1985, the course was designed by Marco Croze and later partly redesigned by Luigi Rota Caremoli. The par-72 layout measures 6,103 metres and is played on Bermuda-grass fairways and greens. Its natural changes in elevation, mature trees and carefully placed water hazards create a varied round without making the course feel excessively long or severe.
Generous landing areas give golfers some freedom from the tee, but scoring well requires sensible positioning. Doglegs, occasional blind shots and approaches framed by trees or water can make the course difficult to understand on a first visit. The gently undulating ground also produces changing lies, while the well-maintained greens place added importance on accurate iron play and a confident short game.
La Rocca has hosted several leading Italian events, including the National Professional Championship in 2021, 2022 and 2023, the National Under-18 Women’s Team Championship in 2023 and the National Teachers Championship in 2024. Despite these competitive credentials, its moderate gradients and different teeing options allow golfers across a broad range of abilities to enjoy the course.
Practice facilities include a 40-position driving range with four covered bays, alongside putting, pitching and chipping greens and a practice bunker. Visitors can also use buggy and trolley hire, a pro shop, changing rooms and the clubhouse. The restaurant occupies a former hunting lodge associated with Maria Luigia of Austria and specialises in traditional Parma dishes, providing a particularly fitting finish to a round in Italy’s Food Valley.
Bologna Airport
86km
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
Sala Baganza is a peaceful base for a golf holiday in Emilia-Romagna, combining attractive parkland golf with historic architecture, woodland and the celebrated food culture of Parma. The town sits around 15 kilometres south of Parma, close enough for easy sightseeing while providing a quieter countryside setting. Parma Airport is approximately 19 kilometres away by road, while Bologna Airport—usually the more practical international gateway—is around 90 kilometres from the area. Hiring a car is recommended.
The main golfing attraction is Golf del Ducato – La Rocca, an 18-hole, par-72 parkland course measuring approximately 6,100 metres. Designed by Marco Croze and opened in 1985, the layout follows gently undulating ground near the foothills of the Apennines. Oak and acacia woodland frames the fairways, while bunkers, elevation changes and several artificial lakes create a technical but enjoyable challenge. The club also provides extensive practice facilities and a nine-hole pitch-and-putt course.
Golfers are positioned beside the Boschi di Carrega Regional Park, where walking and cycling trails lead through woodland towards small lakes, historic country residences and peaceful picnic areas. It is a lovely option for a slower afternoon away from the course.
Sala Baganza itself is dominated by the historic Rocca Sanvitale, a former fortress and noble residence overlooking the town’s main square. Its cellars now house the Wine Museum, which explores the vineyards and traditional wines of the Parma hills.
Food is a major part of any stay here. Sala Baganza lies along the Parma Ham and Wine Route, placing visitors within easy reach of producers of Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano Reggiano, Salame Felino and Colli di Parma wines. Parma also makes an excellent day or evening trip for restaurants, markets and cultural sightseeing.
We particularly recommend Sala Baganza during spring or early autumn, when the countryside is attractive and conditions are generally comfortable for combining golf, walking and food-focused excursions.
