POGGIO DEI MEDICI

By Grant Leggate Last updated: 18th January 2010

Italy has never been recognized as a great golfing nation. However, the success of teenager Matteo Manassero in last summer's Open, coupled with the Molinari brothers winning the World Cup at Mission Hills combined to pique my interest.

And as Tuscany is widely known for its picturesque landscape of rolling hills and intriguing history, I thought I would start there.

Not knowing what to expect, I was very pleasantly surprised and managed to find what I can now class as one of my favourite golf courses in the world.

Set only a few kilometres from Florence, the Poggio dei Medici Golf and Country Club is situated in the heart of the beautiful Mugello region and was home to the Ladies Italian Open from 1999 to 2003.

This 18 hole, par 72 course is 6397 metres long and a further nine holes are due to be constructed shortly.

There are extensive practice facilities, including a driving range complete with shaded driving bays and separate putting and pitching greens. Golf carts and clubs are available for rent.

This club has a fantastic 16th century clubhouse and although it's not the easiest course to find it is well worth the perseverance.

The greens are of average size, but well paced. The fairways are lush and immaculate due to the track that cuts through the course, keeping buggies off the hallowed turf.

This course is hilly and a tough walk, but that is what a golf course in Tuscany should be. The locations of the next tee from the greens are quite spread out but well sign posted.

There was a club competition being played when I arrived, but the staff were happy to set me off from the 10th tee ensuring I did not miss playing one of my now favorite golf courses in the world.

This is a golf course that is visually as stunning as it gets. Standing on the 16th tee, at possibly the highest point on the course - the literal translation of "Poggio dei Medici" is "Hill of the Medici" - I could hear nothing but birds and the church bells from Florence.

I was overcome with the feeling that if God himself played this game, he would be a member here.

By the time I had arrived at the 17th hole, I had already decided that I would be bringing my father to play this course in the very near future. The 18th is as wonderful a finishing hole as you can get in golf, but I was glad I wasn't stopping here as I still had nine more holes to play.

The course played longer than it should have, but I can only put that down to me being awestruck at my surroundings and possibly forgetting to hit the ball. It is a good test of skill with some difficult holes, of which my favorite is the 332 metre 15th.

This hole is both challenging and stimulating with a split green that allows the hole to be set up in two very different ways. It's not the most difficult on the course but it requires a well placed drive and an accurate approach.

If I was to pick a second favorite it would be the other 17 holes!

The course is open all year round, seven days a week. A PGA academy professional is available for private lessons.

Information:

Address: Via San Gavino 27, 50038 Scarperia (FI)
Telephone: +39 (0)55 8435562
Website: www.poggiodeimedici.com
Fees: 18 holes € 80.00, 9 holes €50.00
Accommodation: Stay in the resort's hotel, the Sonesta Resort & Country Club, or for villas in Tuscany nearby the Poggio dei Medici Golf and Country Club, visit villa rental company To-Tuscany at www.to-tuscany.com.

Grant Leggate