Golf in Italy and France is often associated with exclusive country clubs and high-end resorts, but what if you just want to enjoy a round of golf without a membership? Whether you’re a seasoned player or a casual golfer looking for stunning landscapes, challenging layouts, and accessible courses, this guide is for you. We’ve rounded up the best public golf courses in Italy and France that allow pay-and-play access—no membership required!
🏌️ Why Play Public Golf in Italy & France?
- Accessibility: Enjoy world-class courses without long-term commitment.
- Scenic Beauty: Tee off with stunning backdrops like the Alps, Mediterranean coastline, vineyards, and historic villages.
- Variety: From championship-level courses to hidden gems, there’s something for every golfer.
- Cultural Bonus: Combine a round of golf with wine tastings, historic site visits, or gourmet dining.
🇮🇹 Best Public Golf Courses in Italy
1️⃣ Marco Simone Golf & Country Club – Rome
⛳ Host of the 2023 Ryder Cup
If you’re in Rome and want to play on a championship-level course, Marco Simone should be at the top of your list. With its impeccable course conditions and panoramic views of St. Peter’s Basilica, this course is a bucket-list experience for any golfer.
🔹 Why Play Here? ✔️ Prestigious host of international tournaments
✔️ Stunning elevation changes with city views
✔️ Modern clubhouse & high-quality practice facilities
📍 Location: Just outside Rome
💰 Green Fee: ~€120-€180
🎯 Best For: Golfers looking for a world-class experience near Rome
2️⃣ Circolo Golf Venezia – Venice
⛳ Italy’s Oldest Golf Club (Est. 1928)
Venice might be famous for gondolas and canals, but it also boasts a fantastic seaside golf course on the Lido. This historic course, designed by Scottish architect Cruickshank, offers a links-style challenge with coastal breezes and fast greens.
🔹 Why Play Here? ✔️ A classic links-style course with strategic bunkering
✔️ Close to Venice – perfect for a day trip from the city
✔️ Beautiful natural setting on the Venetian lagoon
📍 Location: Venice Lido
💰 Green Fee: ~€80-€130
🎯 Best For: Golfers who love historic, seaside courses
3️⃣ Royal Park I Roveri – Turin
⛳ Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.
Set in the stunning La Mandria Natural Park, Royal Park I Roveri is one of Italy’s finest golf courses and regularly ranks among the best in Europe. Despite its prestige, it remains open to the public for pay-and-play rounds.
🔹 Why Play Here? ✔️ Championship pedigree – host of multiple Italian Opens
✔️ Mountain views with immaculate fairways
✔️ Two 18-hole courses to choose from
📍 Location: Turin
💰 Green Fee: ~€100-€180
🎯 Best For: Golfers seeking a high-end but accessible course
4️⃣ Golf Club Biella “Le Betulle” – Piedmont
⛳ A true hidden gem
Often ranked among Italy’s top courses, Golf Club Biella provides a championship-level experience with the beauty of the Alps in the background. It’s well-maintained, peaceful, and known for its challenging layout.
🔹 Why Play Here? ✔️ Beautiful Alpine setting
✔️ Impeccable fairways & greens
✔️ A course designed for strategic play
📍 Location: Piedmont
💰 Green Fee: ~€90-€150
🎯 Best For: Golfers seeking serenity and strategy
5️⃣ Golf Club Toscana – Grosseto
⛳ Golf meets wine country
Nestled in the Tuscan countryside, this course offers a stunning mix of rolling hills, vineyards, and Mediterranean charm. It’s one of the most picturesque courses in Italy, with wide fairways and strategic bunkering.
🔹 Why Play Here? ✔️ Classic Tuscan scenery
✔️ Accessible and beginner-friendly
✔️ Perfect for pairing with wine tasting and sightseeing
📍 Location: Grosseto, Tuscany
💰 Green Fee: ~€70-€120
🎯 Best For: Casual golfers and Tuscany lovers
🇫🇷 Best Public Golf Courses in France
6️⃣ Golf National – Paris
⛳ Host of the 2018 Ryder Cup & French Open
Just outside Paris, Golf National is one of Europe’s most famous golf venues. The Albatros Course is widely regarded as one of the toughest and most rewarding public courses in the world, featuring water hazards, dramatic bunkering, and championship-level conditioning.
📍 Location: Guyancourt, near Paris
💰 Green Fee: ~€120-€250
🎯 Best For: Golfers who want a world-class tournament experience
7️⃣ Golf de Sperone – Corsica
⛳ The Pebble Beach of France
Golf de Sperone is one of the most breathtaking courses in Europe. Located on the southern tip of Corsica, it offers unparalleled coastal views and holes that play along dramatic cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., this course is a blend of challenging holes and incredible scenery.
🔹 Why Play Here? ✔️ Once-in-a-lifetime coastal scenery
✔️ Short ferry ride from Sardinia, perfect for a golf vacation
✔️ A unique mix of parkland and links-style holes
📍 Location: Bonifacio, Corsica
💰 Green Fee: ~€100-€150
🎯 Best For: Golfers looking for a bucket-list seaside experience ⛳ The Pebble Beach of France
8️⃣ Golf de Chamonix – Mont Blanc Region
⛳ Alpine golfing at its best
Set in the shadow of Mont Blanc, Golf de Chamonix is an incredible high-altitude golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.. The course is famous for its stunning mountain views, tree-lined fairways, and natural hazards, making for an unforgettable alpine golfing experience.
🔹 Why Play Here? ✔️ Breathtaking Alpine scenery
✔️ Well-maintained fairways and challenging greens
✔️ A perfect summer retreat for golf and hiking
📍 Location: Chamonix
💰 Green Fee: ~€80-€120
🎯 Best For: Mountain lovers & adventure golfers ⛳ Alpine golfing at its best
9️⃣ Terre Blanche – Provence
⛳ A luxury golf destination
Terre Blanche is one of France’s top golf resorts, featuring two world-class championship courses designed by Dave Thomas. The course is located in the heart of Provence, offering stunning vineyard views, rolling hills, and pristine fairways. This resort-style course is well-known for its five-star service and immaculate conditioning.
🔹 Why Play Here? ✔️ Luxury golf experience with top-tier facilities
✔️ Ideal for golf and wine lovers
✔️ Fantastic year-round playing conditions
📍 Location: Provence
💰 Green Fee: ~€150-€250
🎯 Best For: High-end, scenic golf in wine country ⛳ A luxury golf destination
🔟 Golf de Seignosse – Basque Coast
⛳ A coastal beauty
Located in the heart of France’s Basque region, Golf de Seignosse is a hidden gem with an exciting layout. Designed by Robert von Hagge, the course winds through thick pine forests and rolling dunes, making it a true test of accuracy and strategy.
🔹 Why Play Here? ✔️ One of the best coastal courses in France
✔️ Undulating fairways and dramatic elevation changes
✔️ A fun mix of links and parkland-style golf
📍 Location: Near Biarritz
💰 Green Fee: ~€90-€140
🎯 Best For: Golfers looking for a mix of ocean views and challenging terrain ⛳ A coastal beauty