At Lanzo Intelvi the dog may follow the round, at Aviano only outside competitions, at Lana not at all: in Italy the rule on dogs on the course is written by each club, and the difference from one course to the next is stark.
There is no Italian rule on dogs on golf courses: each club decides, and the answers range from an unconditional yes to an outright ban. The rule can change with the season, with competitions or with the time of day: call the club office before setting out and ask for the regulations, especially if the dog is large.
The clubs that say yes
| Club | Region | What the club states |
|---|---|---|
| Golf Club Colli Berici | Veneto | Pet-friendly: animals accompany players on the course, even during the club's competitions |
| Golf Club Lanzo | Lombardy | You can play with your own dog, in compliance with the regulations on the website |
| Golf dei Laghi | Lombardy | Dog friendly: dogs may follow the player around the course |
| Golf Club Castel d'Aviano | Friuli Venezia Giulia | Allowed on the course only outside competitions, on a leash |
| Golf della Montecchia | Veneto | The Verde course is the one that admits dogs |
| Golf Club Quellenhof Passeier | Trentino-South Tyrol | Dogs allowed on the course, on a leash |
| Rimini-Verucchio Golf Club | Emilia-Romagna | Describes itself as "dog friendly" and accepts them on the course |
| Golf Club Lamborghini | Umbria | Dogs allowed on a leash |
| Golf Club Matilde di Canossa | Emilia-Romagna | Dogs allowed on a leash |
| Reggio Emilia Golf | Emilia-Romagna | Dogs allowed on a leash |
| Golf Club Ambrosiano | Lombardy | Dogs are permitted entry |
| Adriatico Golf Club | Abruzzo | Pet-friendly club, with a dedicated page on its website; ask the club office for the rules |
Other clubs state that animals are admitted more briefly: the Golf Club Albarella is described as pet friendly, the Golf Club Il Colombaro writes that animals are welcome, the Golf Club Vicenza that they are allowed, the Golf Club Tirrenia that it welcomes dogs. Rivieragolf admits them under specific regulations published on its website.
The conditions: leash, competitions, courses
The leash is the most frequent condition: Quellenhof Passeier, Lamborghini, Matilde di Canossa, Reggio Emilia and Castel d'Aviano all require it. The last is the most detailed: dogs are allowed on the course only outside competitions, always on a leash, muzzled if large and with the obligation to pick up droppings, even in areas players do not frequent. Colli Berici, by contrast, admits them even in competitions: according to the club, animals may accompany players even during club competitions. At Montecchia admission applies to a single course, the Verde: anyone travelling with a dog would do well to ask the club office which layout to book. The Golf Club Casalunga, in Castenaso, asks, to protect the course's wildlife (kingfishers, herons and moorhens in some seasons), that visitors stay on the fairways, avoid the reed beds, keep dogs on a leash and photograph without flash.
Where dogs are not allowed
Not every club opens its gates. Dogs are not allowed on the course at the Golf Club Padova (Galzignano Terme), at Golf Pra delle Torri (Caorle) and at Golfclub Lana, in Merano, where the course rules also forbid blue jeans and require soft spikes. The contrast can be stark: the Parkhotel Marlena, which at Lana presents itself as founder and operator of the club, admits dogs in the hotel, but on the Brandis course, as we have seen, they are not allowed.
Hotels that welcome dogs (and the course next door)
For a stay, it pays to choose a hotel that hosts the dog and a nearby course that admits it:
- Terme di Saturnia: with the VIPets programme dogs have a reserved area on the lawn by the spring, enter the restaurants on a leash or in a carrier and can stroll along the paths of the golf course.
- La Meridiana, in Garlenda: dogs on a leash enter the lobby, restaurants and common areas; there are welcome biscuits, a dog bed and a dedicated menu, the BAO menu. The per-dog supplement is charged, according to the hotel: ask for the current rate.
- QC Grand Hotel Villa Arzaga: with the V.I.Ps (Very Important Pets) programme, a mat and a bowl await in the room.
- Andreus Golf & Spa Resort: dogs are allowed in the lobby and at the bar, not in the main restaurant room or the wellness area; according to the hotel, they may enter on a leash at the Golf Club Passeier.Meran.
- Quellenhof in San Martino in Passiria: dogs are not allowed in the wellness areas, on the lawns or in most of the restaurant rooms; there is a dog-sitting service. In the valley, the Golf Club Quellenhof Passeier admits dogs on the course on a leash.
All hotels restrict access to some areas, in particular spas and restaurants: ask for the rules when booking.
What to ask the club office before setting out
Clubs say whether dogs are admitted, but rarely everything else. Before booking a tee time it is worth asking five questions: may the dog come only outside competitions or also during them, as at Colli Berici and Castel d'Aviano? Does it apply to all courses or only one, as at Montecchia? Is a leash required for the whole round? Are there size limits or muzzle requirements? May it enter the clubhouse, the bar or the restaurant? For Chieti, for example, the club explicitly refers visitors to the club office.
Another good reason to phone is respect for the course and its wildlife: Castel d'Aviano asks that droppings be picked up even where players do not go, and Casalunga asks visitors to avoid the reed beds and keep dogs on a leash.
Frequently asked questions
Can you bring dogs onto a golf course in Italy?+
It depends on the club. Colli Berici, Golf dei Laghi and Lanzo, among others, allow it; Golf Club Padova, Pra delle Torri and Golfclub Lana do not.
Does the dog have to be on a leash?+
Where it is specified, yes: Quellenhof Passeier, Lamborghini, Matilde di Canossa, Reggio Emilia and Castel d'Aviano require it.
Can dogs accompany the player during a competition?+
It depends: Colli Berici admits them even in the club's competitions, Castel d'Aviano only outside competitions.
What special rules apply to large dogs?+
Castel d'Aviano requires a muzzle for large dogs; at the other clubs it is best to ask the club office.
Are there golf hotels that welcome dogs?+
Yes, for example Terme di Saturnia, La Meridiana, QC Grand Hotel Villa Arzaga and Andreus, each with its own rules and supplements.
Can the dog enter the clubhouse or the club restaurant?+
It depends on the club, and it is rarely written down: ask the club office.
