Eight par 3s and one par 4, with a view of the island of Capraia: the nine-hole course behind the Hotel Hermitage on Elba is the smallest of seven island resorts with golf, and for many the reason they stay a whole week.
For a golfer, truly switching off comes down to a few concrete things: arriving without too many connections, having the course a few steps away and finding the sea after the round. An island helps, because it removes the temptation of a day trip to the city. Here are seven resorts on three Italian islands (Elba, Sardinia and Sicily): each has a golf course on its own grounds or a reference course nearby, and access to the sea.
| Island | Resort | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Elba | Hotel Hermitage | Golf Club Hermitage (9 holes) and Acquabona |
| Sardinia | Due Lune Puntaldia | Golf Club Puntaldia (9 holes) |
| Sardinia | Romazzino | Pevero Golf Club |
| Sardinia | Is Molas Resort | Is Molas (27 holes) |
| Sardinia | Forte Village | Is Molas |
| Sicily | Verdura Resort | 45 holes by Kyle Phillips |
| Sicily | Il Picciolo Etna Golf Resort | Il Picciolo (18 holes) |
Elba: the Hermitage at Biodola
The Hotel Hermitage stands at Biodola, 7 km from Portoferraio. Behind the hotel lies the Golf Club Hermitage: nine holes, eight par 3s and one par 4, spread over 1,275 metres, with views of the Gulf of Biodola and Capraia; it is open from April to October, and the practice range has a pond with floating balls. The rooms are scattered across twelve villas, with a private beach reserved for guests and three seawater pools. Those who want a round of 18 can look to the Elba Golf Club Acquabona, founded in 1971 and, according to the club, one of the first built on an Italian island: the 2026 price list sets 55 euros for 18 holes, the same price every day.
Sardinia: four ways of being an island
Due Lune Puntaldia (San Teodoro) is the most self-sufficient address: the resort has 65 rooms and suites about 22 kilometres from Olbia, a private beach and a small marina, and the Golf Club Puntaldia lies within the grounds: nine holes skimming the sea, with the sixth perched above the rocks. The 2026 price list runs from 1 April to 10 November; those looking for 18 holes can turn to Pevero, where seasonal members get a 20 per cent discount.
Romazzino, on the Costa Smeralda, is one of the hotels overlooking the La Maddalena archipelago: excursions leave from the jetty for Spargi, Budelli, Caprera and Cala Coticcio. The reference course is the Pevero Golf Club, opened in 1972 and designed by Robert Trent Jones. Olbia airport is about 31 km away, roughly forty minutes according to the hotel.
In the south, Is Molas Resort has 72 rooms and a 27-hole course; a few minutes away is the Porto Agumu beach club, linked by a frequent shuttle from June to September. At Pula, Forte Village (eight hotels set in about fifty hectares of gardens) points to the same course, which it describes as adjoining: access, according to the resort, is reserved for guests of the five- and four-star hotels and the villas. The Is Molas club has hosted four Italian Opens since 1975; the green fee for 18 holes on weekdays runs from 80 to 135 euros depending on the season.
Sicily: Etna and the sea at Sciacca
Verdura Resort in Sciacca has 203 rooms and 20 private villas, 45 holes by Kyle Phillips on 230 hectares overlooking the sea, and the Golf Inclusive Offer with two green fees per room per night. As of 3 October 2026 the Verdura Golf Club stands as follows: the East Links is open without restrictions, the West Shore is open but, owing to the introduction of Bermuda grass, some areas may not be in the best condition until spring 2027, and the Executive is closed until spring 2027. Anyone booking for autumn or winter should bear this in mind.
On the opposite side, at the foot of the volcano, the Picciolo Etna Golf Resort has no sea in front of it: the coast is about 25 minutes away by car and the hotel has arrangements with a number of beach clubs, including those at Giardini Naxos. In return there is the Picciolo Golf Club, dating from 1989 and, according to the club, the first par 72 18-hole course built in Sicily, with tees set into the lava. For hotel guests the green fee is 90 euros (110 for outside players), range and putting green included.
How to choose
- If you want to walk from bed to tee: Hermitage (Elba) and Due Lune (Sardinia), both with nine holes on the grounds.
- If you want 18 holes or more: Is Molas, Verdura and Picciolo.
- If you want the smaller islands: Romazzino, for the excursions to La Maddalena.
- If autumn matters to you: check the seasonal opening: Puntaldia follows the resort's season, Verdura has work under way on the turf, and the Hermitage closes its course after October.
Frequently asked questions
Which golf resorts are there on the island of Elba?+
The Hotel Hermitage at Biodola, with its own nine-hole course (eight par 3s and one par 4), and, on the island, the Elba Golf Club Acquabona: nine holes with double tees, which make up an 18-hole round.
When is the Hotel Hermitage course open?+
From April to October, according to the club.
Does Forte Village have a golf course?+
No: the golf is that of Is Molas, 27 holes. Access is reserved for guests of the five- and four-star hotels and the villas.
How much does it cost to play at Acquabona on Elba?+
In 2026, 55 euros for 18 holes and 40 for nine, with no difference between weekdays and weekends.
Is Picciolo by the sea?+
No: the hotel is at the foot of Etna, the coast is about 25 minutes away by car, and there are arrangements with beach clubs, including Giardini Naxos.
Which Verdura courses are open today?+
As of 3 October 2026 the East Links is open, the West Shore is open with work under way on the turf, and the Executive is closed until spring 2027.
