At Rapallo, Crocs are not allowed on the course; at Porto Cervo you need Bermuda shorts and a collared polo; at Il Colombaro on Lake Garda the dress code is casual. Italy has no single rule, but the clubs' own regulations say a lot.
There is no single Italian dress code: each club writes its own, usually in its regulations or local rules. That is why the answer to "what do I pack?" depends on where you are playing. What follows is what the clubs have published in their 2026 regulations: before you leave, always check the website or call the secretary's office, because rules change.
The rules that come up almost everywhere
In the clubs' regulations a few things recur with remarkable consistency:
- No jeans. They are banned at Roma Acquasanta, at Porto Cervo, at Rapallo, at Castelconturbia (faded jeans), at Conero and at Ponte di Legno.
- No tracksuits. Acquasanta, Rapallo, Castelconturbia, Ponte di Legno, Fiuggi and Montelupo rule them out.
- No sleeveless tank tops. Rapallo, Castelconturbia, Conero and Montelupo ban them.
- Shoes without metal spikes, with soft spikes: required at Acquasanta, Ponte di Legno, San Donato, Conero, Lamborghini and many others.
- Collared polo: required at Porto Cervo and San Donato; at Acquasanta, too, the regulations call for a polo shirt, for men and women alike.
Six clubs, six sets of regulations
| Club | What the regulations say |
|---|---|
| Acquasanta (Rome) | Men: polo shirt and long trousers or knee-length Bermuda shorts, long socks recommended. Women: polo shirt, with or without sleeves, and trousers, Bermuda shorts or a skirt. Jeans, tracksuits, leggings and metal spikes banned |
| Pevero (Porto Cervo) | Jeans and T-shirts banned; tailored Bermuda shorts and a collared polo are worn |
| Rapallo | No blue jeans, tracksuits, non-sports shorts, T-shirts, tank tops, Crocs, flip-flops or slippers |
| Castelconturbia | Golf shoes; tank tops, faded jeans, leggings and tracksuits excluded |
| Margara (Fubine) | Rules that also apply off the course: in the common areas no swimwear, bare chests or slippers; in the evening at the restaurant, long trousers and closed shoes for men |
| Il Colombaro (Salò) | Casual dress code |
The clubs are, in order: Circolo del Golf Roma Acquasanta, Pevero Golf Club, Golf Club Rapallo, Castelconturbia, Margara and Il Colombaro.
Two nuances worth knowing
Some clubs are more relaxed than you might think. At Mare di Roma in Ardea the required attire is "informal but neat": no T-shirts, non-golf caps or metal spikes. At Il Colombaro, on Lake Garda, the dress code is casual. At Molino del Pero, according to the club, clothing is not subject to particular rules, beachwear excepted.
Others publish nothing. Several clubs (for example Garlenda, Parco di Roma, Varese) state no rule on their websites: the solution is to ask the secretary's office before booking.
Off the course: clubhouse, restaurant, hotel
The dress code often does not end at the eighteenth green. At Margara the rule applies in the common areas too. Luxury hotels have their own codes as well: at Villa d'Este, for instance, according to the hotel's website the Il Platano restaurant requires smart casual, and at dinner gentlemen wear long trousers and closed shoes; at the Veranda, smart casual at lunch and elegant dress at dinner.
What to pack
Going by the clubs' regulations, a suitcase that works almost anywhere contains:
- A collared polo.
- Long trousers and knee-length Bermuda shorts, not jeans.
- Golf shoes with soft spikes.
- An evening change: long trousers and closed shoes, as required at Margara and at the Il Platano restaurant at Villa d'Este.
It is not a national rule, but it is a way of not being stopped at the first tee.
Did you know
- The dress code applies to women too. At Acquasanta the regulations call for women to wear a polo shirt with or without sleeves and trousers, Bermuda shorts or a skirt.
- Crocs are named outright. At Rapallo the regulations list them alongside flip-flops and slippers.
- An etiquette test. Il Colombaro offers players without a handicap an 18-question test on rules and etiquette.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a mandatory dress code at every Italian golf course?+
No: each club decides, and writes it into its regulations. Some, like Il Colombaro, are casual; others, like Rapallo and Acquasanta, have a detailed list.
Can you play in jeans in Italy?+
At many clubs, no: they are banned at Acquasanta, Pevero, Rapallo, Castelconturbia, Conero and Ponte di Legno.
Can I play in Bermuda shorts?+
Often yes, if they are golf shorts: at Acquasanta knee-length ones are allowed, at Porto Cervo tailored Bermuda shorts are required; at Rapallo non-sports shorts are not allowed.
Do I need golf shoes?+
You need shoes without metal spikes; many clubs ask for soft spikes. Margara bans slippers in the common areas.
Does the dress code also apply in the clubhouse?+
At Margara it does, at the restaurant in the evening too. In general it is worth asking the secretary's office.
How do I find out a club's dress code?+
Look for the regulations on the club's website or call the secretary's office: several clubs do not publish them online.
