Molinetto Country Club

The Championship course at Molinetto covers about 50 hectares on the edge of Milan and, the club writes, has imposing trees and lakes that create the habitat of many animal species. It is an 18-hole course presented as “very technical, requiring attention”: not a polite phrase, given that the 42nd Italian Open was played here in 1985. It was won by Manuel Piñero Sánchez, who finished on 267 strokes, 21 under par, one stroke ahead of his rivals.

The course map, published on the website and clickable hole by hole, shows a compact layout around the clubhouse. The stretches of water are concentrated in several places: around holes 6 and 7, between the 10th and the 11th, near the 14th and beside the 16th. The driving range occupies the centre of the design. The rules mention a practical detail: to reach the tees of other holes, you do not cross the 18th fairway.

The website gives no par, total length or architect for the course: the club refers visitors to the interactive map, with details of each hole, and to the secretary's office for those who want the scorecard.

The club is closed on Monday; on other days it opens from 8 am to 7 pm on weekdays and from 7 am to 7 pm at weekends and on public holidays. The rules admit players with a playing handicap and members of other Italian and foreign clubs affiliated to their own federation; players without a handicap must hold a green card (carta verde). Guests must report to the secretary's office to pay before going out on the course.

The price list published on the website, which does not state the year, distinguishes between seasons. For 18 holes, in low season (1 November to 28 February) the green fee is 60 euros on weekdays and 70 at weekends and on public holidays; in high season (1 March to 31 October) it rises to 65 euros and 80. For 9 holes you pay 35 euros on weekdays and 45 at weekends and on public holidays. The practice ground costs 10 euros on weekdays and 20 at weekends and on public holidays, with a supplement for a TrackMan Range bay.

You can hire a hand trolley (5 euros), an electric trolley (20), a bag (30) and a Club Car golf buggy (50 euros for 18 holes for guests). The tournament calendar, with entries through the GesGolf app, can be consulted on the website.

Molinetto was founded in 1980 as a tennis club with 24 courts, and the website places the foundations of the club as a national point of reference in the early 1980s. The clubhouse occupies a restored Lombard farmhouse, with a bar and restaurant; the club regards it, together with the course, as one of the two elements that make a good golf club. Today there are 14 tennis courts, plus a swimming pool, a Technogym gym and a wellness area with sauna and hammam, reserved for members.

For golfers the driving range has 16 bays, covered and uncovered, lit by LED until 10 pm; the practice area is completed by a 65-metre pitching area, a chipping area and the putting green. The TrackMan Range lets you play virtual courses from the bay, and the TrackMan indoor centre is used to analyse your swing. The multi-brand pro shop also has a fitting centre.

The golf academy fields four PGAI professionals: Gianmaria Trinchero, Stefano Colombi Moroni, Anibal Fallotico and Giovanni Dassù. For young players the Club dei Giovani starts from the age of 6, with courses from March to October. The president is Marisa Crescenzio.

• The 1985 Italian Open. Piñero won with 267 strokes, 21 under par, by a single stroke.
• Born from tennis. The club opened in 1980 with 24 tennis courts; 14 remain today.
• A farmhouse as clubhouse. The bar and restaurant occupy a restored Lombard farmhouse.
• A range lit until 10 pm. The 16 bays have LED lighting.
• An area devoted to short shots. The pitching area is 65 metres long.