Golf on Lake Como is a different experience from any other golf destination in Europe. The courses here are not resort layouts designed for casual vacationers. They are historic, demanding, and set against a backdrop — Alpine mountains, deep blue water, ancient villages — that makes it genuinely difficult to concentrate on your swing.

There are two main courses worth traveling for on Lake Como. Both are exceptional. Both suit different types of players. Furthermore, both are within easy reach of the lake’s finest luxury hotels. This guide covers everything you need to know — handicap requirements, booking details, what to expect on the course, and where to stay nearby. New to Lake Como? Start with our complete Lake Como guide 2026 first.

Quick Summary: Golf on Lake Como

1. Golf Club Menaggio & Cadenabbia — The Classic Lake Como Round

Founded in 1907, Golf Club Menaggio & Cadenabbia is the original Lake Como golf course and one of the oldest in Italy. It remains the only 18-hole layout directly overlooking the lake — and that view, on every hole, is something no other course in the region can match.

Menaggio and Cadenabbia Golf Club features mountain golf scenery nearly unmatched. It is an absolute must to include on your visit to Italy’s Lake Como region!

See it for yourself: 📞1-877-GOLF-067 💻https://t.co/REcXoOKUs7 📧golf@hiddenlinksgolf.com #golftravel #italy pic.twitter.com/ZyB4Yrn1d5

— Hidden Links Golf Tours (@HiddenLinks) May 17, 2023

The Course

This layout is par 69 — shorter than modern championship courses but demanding in ways that resort layouts never are. The fairways are narrow, carved through ancient chestnut forests that have grown here for centuries. Elevation changes are dramatic — several holes play 30 meters uphill or downhill from tee to green. Consequently, local knowledge matters far more here than raw distance off the tee.

The signature hole is the par-three fourteenth — a dramatic downhill tee shot to a green perched on a hillside with the lake glittering directly beyond. A local rule allows a free drop if your ball rolls off the green into the steep bank — a concession to the hole’s difficulty that has been in place since the 1920s. Furthermore, the views from the upper holes on a clear day extend across the entire central lake — Bellagio, Varenna, and the Alps visible simultaneously.

What to Expect

No handicap certificate is required at Menaggio — however, players are expected to demonstrate proper etiquette. Repairing pitch marks, raking bunkers, and maintaining a brisk pace are non-negotiable. The club has a welcoming attitude toward visiting players who respect the game.

Rental clubs are available — a well-maintained selection of recent models. Electric buggies are strongly recommended for players who are not accustomed to hilly terrain, as several climbs between holes are genuinely strenuous. The clubhouse restaurant is excellent — lake fish, polenta, and local wine — and many non-golfers from Menaggio visit simply for the food and the terrace view.

2. Villa d’Este Golf Club — Technical, Exclusive, and Unmissable

Located on Lake Montorfano — a separate small lake 15 minutes from Como city — Villa d’Este Golf Club is a private members‘ club that offers limited visitor access on weekdays. It is a completely different experience from Menaggio — smaller, tighter, faster, and significantly more demanding.

The Course

Nine holes, par 35 — but do not mistake its size for simplicity. Water comes into play on six of the nine holes as the course winds around the shoreline of Lake Montorfano. The fairways are tighter than at Menaggio and the greens are considerably faster. As a result, this is a course for players who value precision and course management over raw power.

The clubhouse is understated but elegant — a small terrace overlooking the ninth green and the lake beyond. Lunch is available but must be ordered in advance if you are not a member. Furthermore, the atmosphere is quiet and exclusive — mobile phone conversations on the course are strongly discouraged.

What to Expect

Visitor access is restricted to Monday through Thursday. A handicap certificate is required — maximum 28 for men and 32 for women. Call the club secretary directly to arrange a tee time. This is not a course for beginners. However, for experienced players who appreciate technical golf in a beautiful setting, Villa d’Este Golf Club is one of the finest nine-hole experiences in northern Italy.

Menaggio vs Villa d’Este: Which Course to Choose?

What’s Coming to Lake Como: The Corinthia Menaggio Resort

For travelers planning ahead, there is exciting news for the Menaggio area. A new luxury resort is in development that will further cement Menaggio’s position as the most complete sporting destination on the lake.

Corinthia Hotels is planning a 58 room resort in Menaggio on Lake Como, targeting late 2028, with a beach club, spa, multiple dining venues, and branded residences, plus golf access next door. Treat the date as a target, not a promise, and keep backup hotels locked for fixed date… pic.twitter.com/L4gRuceA1g

— The Adept Traveler (@AdeptTraveler) February 12, 2026

The planned Corinthia Menaggio Resort — targeting late 2028 — will offer 58 rooms, a beach club, spa, multiple dining venues, branded residences, and direct golf access next door to Golf Club Menaggio & Cadenabbia. This would make Menaggio the first location on Lake Como to combine five-star hotel accommodation with immediate access to an 18-hole golf course. For those interested in the branded residences aspect, our Lake Como real estate guide covers the wider property market in detail.

Best Luxury Hotels Near Lake Como Golf Courses

Choosing the right base makes a significant difference to your golf trip. Our complete guide to luxury hotels on Lake Como covers every option in detail — but here is a quick overview for golfers specifically.

Practical Tips for Playing Golf on Lake Como

Best Time to Play

May and September are consistently the best months for golf on Lake Como. The weather is warm but not hot, the courses are in excellent condition, and the crowds are manageable. In July and August, midday temperatures make afternoon rounds uncomfortable — book early morning tee times if you visit in peak season.

Getting to the Courses

A car is essential for golf on Lake Como. Golf Club Menaggio is 10 minutes by car from Menaggio village. Villa d’Este Golf Club at Montorfano is 15 minutes from Como city. Neither course is accessible by ferry or public bus. Furthermore, if you are staying at a hotel with a concierge — Villa d’Este, Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Grand Hotel Menaggio — they can arrange private transfers to the course.

Combining Golf with Tennis

Menaggio is the best base for combining both sports. The golf course is 10 minutes away. The Tennis Club Menaggio — with three clay courts and a direct view of Bellagio — is walking distance from the village. For the full Lake Como sports experience, our guide to the best tennis courts on Lake Como covers every option in detail.

Dress Code and Etiquette

Both courses enforce a standard golf dress code — collared shirts, golf trousers or shorts, and proper golf shoes. Denim is not permitted on either course. At Villa d’Este Golf Club, the standards are stricter — smart casual in the clubhouse is expected after your round. As a result, pack accordingly and treat both clubs with the respect their history deserves.

The 4-Day Golf & Luxury Itinerary on Lake Como

Final Verdict: Is Golf on Lake Como Worth It?

Golf on Lake Como is worth it — not because the courses are the most technically demanding in Europe, but because no other golf destination combines this quality of course with this quality of setting. Playing the par-three fourteenth at Menaggio with the lake glittering beyond the green, or walking the tight fairways at Villa d’Este in complete quiet on a Tuesday morning, are experiences that stay with you.

If you are planning a golf trip to Lake Como, the ideal approach is to book Golf Club Menaggio for your main round and Villa d’Este Golf Club for a more intimate and technical second day. Stay in Menaggio or at Villa d’Este itself. Combine your rounds with the lake’s other sporting pleasures — tennis, boat trips, and the finest dining in northern Italy. For the complete picture of where to stay, read our Lake Como luxury hotels guide.

Book early, take a buggy at Menaggio, and enjoy the fourteenth tee. You will understand immediately why golfers have been coming to Lake Como since 1907.