Golf Club Garlenda

The course measures 6,085 metres and is a par 72; from the men's tees the club gives a course rating of 72.0 and a slope of 133, from the women's tees 73.6 and 130. The design, signed in 1964 by the British architects John Morrison and John Harris, divides the round into two landscapes: the front nine has a rural character, with century-old olive trees and old farmhouses, while the back nine moves among tall trees and wider views, with oaks and pines.

The opening is gentle: the 1st is a short uphill dog-leg right and the 2nd is a slightly downhill par 3, described as the easiest hole on the course. Then the level rises. The 3rd is a straight, narrow par 5 with a tricky tee shot, the 4th, stroke index 2, is a long par 4 with a slight dog-leg left, the 5th is the longest par 5 on the course but manageable.

Coming back there is the 11th hole, a straight and difficult par 4 that the club has christened “Amen Corner”. The 12th, stroke index 1, is the test of the round: a very long dog-leg right with a water hazard. The 13th is a long, wind-swept par 3, the 16th a downhill par 4 with a dog-leg left and considerable length. The 18th closes with a difficult par 4, protected by trees.

The par 3s are the 2nd, 7th, 13th and 15th; the par 5s the 3rd, 5th, 14th and 17th.

The club welcomes day-ticket players. The website gives the secretary's office as open from 8 am to 6 pm every day, the caddie master until 7 pm and the driving range from 8 am to 6 pm, with the ball machine stopping at 5:30 pm: the course is open every day of the year.

For the green fee it is always best to ask the secretary's office for confirmation (0182 580012). The price list published on the website shows 2024 rates divided into three periods: for 18 holes on weekdays they go from 80 euros in low season to 100 in peak periods, with public holidays between 100 and 120 euros; for 9 holes weekdays start from 40. The price list for the current year is not online. On the same pages the golf cart costs 50 euros for 18 holes, the electric trolley 20 and the manual one 5.

The website gives neither a minimum handicap nor a dress code: it is best to ask in advance.

For practice Garlenda has a Toptracer Range: the technology that shows the trajectory of shots as in broadcasts of the big tournaments, with personal statistics and virtual play modes on famous courses, such as Pebble Beach. Lessons are booked directly with the instructors of the golf school.

The club also offers members and day-ticket players a pool surrounded by greenery, a well-equipped gym and a Turkish bath.

Its sporting history runs through the youth academy: the website recalls the 1971 Italian Open played at Garlenda and the home-grown players, from Marco and Roberto Durante to Giovanni Gaudioso, Giovanni Geddo and Andrea Zanini, all in the national team. Today the Youth Club coaches youngsters between 6 and 18 with two training sessions a week and three professionals, Giulio Girardi, Andrea Zanini and Lucio Merlino.

• A Ligurian Amen Corner. The 11th hole bears the name of the famous stretch at Augusta: it is a straight par 4, described by the club as very difficult.
• Italian Open 1971. The club keeps photos of that edition of the national tournament, played on its course.
• Four par 5s, four par 3s. Each nine has two par 3s and two par 5s: long and short holes alternate without letting up.