One of the more attractive golf facilities in Italy, Castiglion del Bosco is part of a 4,000-acre Tuscan estate around an hour south of Florence. The golf course was designed by 1973 Open Champion Tom Weiskopf and set across a beautiful rolling field within the UNESCO-listed Val d'Orcia Natural Park region.

Aside from being a fascinating place to explore, the area is also nicely undulating for golfers and Weiskopf’s design makes the most of the historic landscape by capturing broad views of the unspoilt hills and regional vineyards. His playing areas are mostly broad and strategically arranged to reward golfers who take on the large, sculpted bunkering. The greens are quick and undulating, and across the layout the conditioning is generally of the highest standard. The par five 13^th measures 685 yards and is one of the longest holes in Europe.

Although very few people visit Italy for the golf, those who are keen on a game during their vacation could do worse than organize a round at Castiglion del Bosco. Pleasingly, non members are able to stay at the on site hotel here and play the course on a one-off basis like Sand Hills in Nebraska.

Our recommended hotel partner in central Tuscany is the wonderful Curio Collection's La Bagnaia Golf & Spa Resort near Siena