Golf in Northern Italy

[RandallT]

I'll be visiting my daughter in Aviano, Italy in early August, and we might make some time for golf. A few questions:

1. Anyone have any tips for playing golf up north of Venice? Heck, it's less than 2hr from Slovenia- so maybe over there too.
2. Is it true that European courses enforce that you have a valid handicap?
3. http://www.golfclubcasteldaviano.it/it-IT/il-campo/dettaglio-del-percorso Here is one course near her (not too many nearby), and I see they mention that visitors must have a handicap from a club.
4. Are tee times tough to get?

Some cool pics of the public course mentioned above. Looks like it's partly up in the hills and trees (right half), and partly in an open valley (left half). The routing of the holes is not what I see typically here in the States. Doesn't look like the 9th green is anywhere near the clubhouse. The front 9 is par 37, with only one par 3. Then the back 9 is par 35 with three par 3's.

This pic is from their 1 HCP hole (#2), which is up in the hilly part. Fairway looks tight from this angle (but no so much in the graphic above), and doesn't look pretty to miss the green long or left.

And then the course just gets totally open for a bunch of holes with a nice view of the mountains.

Any thoughts on things to watch out for when golfing in northern Italy would be appreciated. I might just stick around the military facility for their 9-hole course, but it would be a blast to get out to see public golf in Italy.

[Wansteadimp]

Don't know about golf in Northern Italy, though I understand it can be expensive.

Slovenia has some nice tracks. Diners and Arboretum in Ljubljana are nice tracks, Arboretum is short but very tree lined, hence the name, I'd happily go back.  Arboretum is the better of the two.

The King's Course at Bled is supposed to be great, we played the second course because the King's Course was hosting the European Ladies Senior Amateur Championship. Bled is fantastic, cheap hotels, beautiful views, mountains coming down to the lake with the castle over looking it and the church on the island in the middle, easy access to the rest of the Julian Alps.

The transfer to the Ljulbljana courses from Bled was 30 to 40 min.

People were very welcoming and Slovenia has spent the EUs money wisely, fantastic road system now.

As far as handicap certificates are concerned I've played in England, Scotland, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria, Slovenia, France & Morocco. I think one course in Spain has asked us for certificates. A lot of them post that they are required but never ask.

[bkuehn1952]

2. Is it true that European courses enforce that you have a valid handicap?

My only experience is Ireland and Scotland.  We were never asked EXCEPT when getting ready to tee off at the Old Course.  I think the practice is largely ignored but presumably some starters are sticklers.  My recommendation is have a handicap card or sticker in the wallet just in case you happened to play the day Mr. Button Down is the starter.

[WUTiger]

I have been to northern Italy, but never to play golf. I have seen some of the courses around Aviano (a NATO air base). The Dolomites Mountains have very steep ridge lines (you can ski down a  long way), but the valley bottoms tend to be gently rolling or almost flat in places. The three courses I saw had almost a parkland look to them. RT, your picture of the open fairway with trees and mountains in the background would be representative of holes on the interior of the course. (A few holes usually run up the foothills.)

If you get to Sicily, you should try Il Picciolo, This golf resort is located at the foot of Mt. Etna, Europe's largest active volcano. il P has hosted both pro and top amateur tournaments.

Eighteen holes costs € 85, with a riding cart  € 40, or a pull cart € 4. If you stay onsite, a room runs €100 on up.

Although in the mountains, the course terrain would rate as very hilly vs. mountainous. A couple of the holes have 12-foot high alpine flagsticks, so check your distance before you hit; you may not be as close as you think.

[Golfaddict247]

Looks incredible! Would love to go to Northern Italy to play golf...