Assisi Golf Club

This is not a championship course, and the club does not present it as one: what it offers is a 9-hole pitch & putt course, a short format designed for sharpening the approach game and for playing in little time, plus three executive par 3 holes. What sets it apart are the synthetic greens: the club explains that they are approved by the Italian Golf Federation, that they use the Brilliant8 system by South West Greens and that they were designed by Jack Nicklaus. Again according to the club, no other course in Italy has anything comparable.

The course lies in a 70-hectare valley within the Valle di Assisi Hotel SPA & Golf, at Santa Maria degli Angeli, at the foot of Assisi. The club does not publish hole lengths.

The club offers hire of manual and electric trolleys and of golf bags, men's and women's changing rooms and a clubhouse. Fees, opening hours and opening days are not given on the website: to book a round or a practice session, it is best to phone the office on 075 8044580 or write to [email protected].

Golf, the club points out, is open to children from the age of 6.

For practice there is a driving range with 6 covered bays, a putting green and a pro shop. The club also has a SNAG centre, the introductory golf system with simplified equipment, and offers lessons with a professional.

As part of the Valle di Assisi Hotel SPA & Golf, the complex includes a swimming pool, bar and restaurant, and a spa with an indoor pool and massages; there are also 8-a-side and 5-a-side football pitches, a tennis court and a fishing lake.

• Greens that are not grass. According to the club, they are the only synthetic greens in Italy with federation approval.
• Nicklaus's name on the greens. The website says they were designed by Jack Nicklaus.
• From Srixon balls to SNAG. The driving range uses new Srixon balls, and the club has a SNAG centre for beginners.