Golf in Italy
Golf in Sicily
2 courses
In Sicily, golf is played on lava: at Il Picciolo, in Castiglione di Sicilia, the tees of the 5th hole are set into the lava and the 7th green is guarded by an ancient Etna lava flow. Opened in 1989, it was, according to the resort, the island's first 18-hole course.
On the south-west coast, at Sciacca, Verdura has 36 holes designed by Kyle Phillips, in a low-density resort created by Sir Rocco Forte where you get around only on electric vehicles. A volcano on one side, the sea on the other.
Guides and itineraries
Food & WineEtna wines for golfers in Sicily
On Etna the vines grow on narrow terraces carved into the lava and tended by hand; in Castiglione di Sicilia, amid those same lava flows, there is an 18-hole golf course. What to know about the wines before sitting down to dinner after your round.
4 min read
Great CoursesPlaying on a volcano: golf on Etna
At Il Picciolo the hazards are ancient lava flows: one guards the left of the 7th green, a field of stones cuts across the 14th. This is Etna's course, 18 holes, par 72, opened in 1989, and this is the guide to playing it: key holes, wind, 2026 rates and where to stay.
7 min read
Luxury StaysGolf hotels in Sicily: Verdura and Il Picciolo at the foot of Etna
The last Duke of Verdura was a cousin of the author of The Leopard, and every room in the resort holds a copy of the book. On the other side of the island, at the foot of Etna, the tees of one hole are set into the lava. Two five-star golf hotels, on opposite sides of the island.
6 min read