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Lake Garda is best known for lemon gardens, castles and long lunches by the water, but it is also one of the most rewarding golf destinations in Italy. Within half an hour of the southern shore you will find courses that have hosted the Italian Open, a layout by the Nicklaus family, a parkland course designed by Jim Fazio and one of the oldest golf clubs in the country. The climate is mild enough for golf from early spring to late autumn, the Valpolicella and Lugana wine areas are on the doorstep, and Verona is less than an hour away.
This guide introduces the main courses around the lake, explains which suit which kind of golfer, and shows how to combine rounds with boat trips, wine tastings and the towns that make Garda so special.
Quick answer
For championship golf, play Gardagolf in Soiano del Lago, which has hosted the Italian Open three times, the San Vigilio courses in Pozzolengo, venue of the 2020 Italian Open, and Arzaga near Calvagese della Riviera, with 18 holes by Jack Nicklaus II and nine by Gary Player. For lake views, choose Ca’ degli Ulivi above Garda. Base yourself on the southern or south-western shore, rent a car on Localrent, and save an afternoon for a boat tour around the Sirmione peninsula.
The main golf courses around Lake Garda
The table below summarises the best-known courses. Details such as the number of holes and par are taken from regional tourism listings and club information at the time of writing; layouts and names occasionally change, so confirm with the club when you book.
| Course | Location | Holes | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gardagolf Country Club | Soiano del Lago, south-west shore | 27 (18 + 9) | Opened 1986; Italian Open in 1997, 2003 and 2018; fast greens and deep bunkers |
| San Vigilio Golf | Pozzolengo, south of the lake | Four nine-hole loops | Set in a 110-hectare park around a historic abbey; Italian Open venue in 2020 |
| Arzaga Golf | Calvagese della Riviera, west of the lake | 27 | 18 holes by Jack Nicklaus II and nine by Gary Player; large practice area |
| Paradiso del Garda | Castelnuovo del Garda, south-east | 18, par 71 | Jim Fazio design with lakes and many bunkers; hotel and spa on site |
| Ca’ degli Ulivi | Costermano sul Garda, east shore | 18, par 72 + 9-hole executive | Opened 1989; views over the lake and Monte Baldo |
| Golf Bogliaco | Toscolano Maderno, west shore | Check current layout | Founded in 1912, one of Italy’s oldest clubs, with lake views |
| Golf Club Verona | Sommacampagna, near Verona | 18, par 72 | Founded 1963; a classic parkland course with an elegant clubhouse |
| Colombaro Golf | Salò, west shore | 9, par 29 | A compact course with a modern range, ideal for a short session |
Championship courses on the southern shore
Gardagolf Country Club in Soiano del Lago is the course most visiting golfers know by name. Its 27 holes run through the morainic hills above the south-western shore, and its record of three Italian Opens speaks for the quality of the layout. Fast greens and deep, well-placed bunkers make it a fair but demanding test, and the views over the lake from the higher holes are a bonus.
San Vigilio in Pozzolengo, south of Sirmione, is built around a historic Benedictine abbey in a large park of rolling countryside. Its four nine-hole loops can be combined in different ways, and the course hosted the Italian Open in 2020 under its previous name, Chervò. The resort hotel makes it a comfortable base for a golf week.
Arzaga, west of the lake near Calvagese della Riviera, combines an 18-hole course by Jack Nicklaus II with a nine-hole course by Gary Player. It is a strategic, well-conditioned layout, and the large practice area is one of the best on the lake.
Courses with lake views
Ca’ degli Ulivi sits in the hills above Garda and Bardolino on the eastern shore, with Monte Baldo behind and the lake spread out below. It opened in 1989 and offers an 18-hole course plus a nine-hole executive course, which is ideal for beginners or a short evening round. For many visitors, the views alone make it the most memorable round on the lake.
Golf Bogliaco, on the western shore near Toscolano Maderno, was founded in 1912 and is one of the oldest golf clubs in Italy. It is a shorter, charming course with water views rather than a championship test, and a lovely contrast to the big resort layouts in the south.
Courses near Verona
Paradiso del Garda, between Peschiera and Castelnuovo, is a Jim Fazio design with five lakes and many bunkers, attached to a hotel with a pool and wellness centre. Golf Club Verona in Sommacampagna, founded in 1963, is a classic parkland course popular with golfers staying in the city, and only a short drive from the Valpolicella wine country.
Golf and wine around Lake Garda
Few golf destinations are surrounded by so many wine areas. To the east, the hills of Bardolino produce light reds and the pale Chiaretto rosé. On the southern shore, around Sirmione and Desenzano, Lugana is made from the Turbiana grape, a crisp white that suits lake fish perfectly. Just beyond Verona, the Valpolicella is the home of Amarone; a small-group Amarone tasting tour from Verona is an easy afternoon after a morning round, and our Valpolicella guide explains the wines and estates. West of the lake, Franciacorta is about an hour away; see our guide to Franciacorta wine tours.
Beyond the fairways
Sirmione, on its narrow peninsula, is the classic day out on the southern shore, with the Scaliger castle, the Roman ruins known as the Grotte di Catullo and thermal spas. A short boat tour around the peninsula shows the castle, the Roman villa and the bubbling thermal spring from the water. If you are staying in Verona, this Sirmione and Lake Garda tour from Verona combines a boat trip, a guided walk in Sirmione and free time in Lazise, with transport and free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Our Lake Garda guide covers the towns, boat trips, wine and spas in more detail.
A three-day golf trip on Lake Garda
| Day | Morning | Afternoon and evening |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive at Verona or Milan; drive to the southern shore | Nine holes or practice; dinner in Sirmione or Desenzano |
| Day 2 | Round at Gardagolf or San Vigilio | Boat tour around Sirmione and a glass of Lugana by the water |
| Day 3 | Round at Arzaga or Ca’ degli Ulivi | Amarone tasting tour or an evening in Verona |
When to play
The golf season on Lake Garda runs from March to November, and some courses stay open year-round when the weather allows. April to June and September to October are ideal, with mild temperatures, green courses and fewer tourists. July and August are hot and busy around the lake, so book early tee times. Autumn adds the grape harvest and the colours of the vineyards.
Booking tee times and green fees
Green fees around Lake Garda vary by course, season and day of the week, and many clubs offer lower rates on weekdays, in the afternoon or for twilight rounds. Several hotels near the courses include discounted green fees or golf packages, so it is worth asking when you book your stay. Reserve tee times directly with the clubs, particularly for weekends between April and October, and check rules on carts, dress code and handicap requirements in advance.
Getting there and around
The nearest airport is Verona, about 20 to 40 minutes from the southern courses; Milan Bergamo and Milan Linate are further away. A private transfer with Kiwitaxi is convenient if you travel with golf bags, but for playing several courses a rental car is the most practical option: compare prices on Localrent. Keep tee-time confirmations and maps on your phone with an Airalo eSIM.
Planning more golf in Italy? Compare Lake Garda with our guides to golf in Tuscany and golf in Sicily. For lake scenery of a different kind, see Lake Como’s villas and gardens.
Charlotte’s pick
If I could recommend only one thing here, it would be a morning round at Gardagolf followed by a boat tour around the Sirmione peninsula in the late afternoon light. Championship golf and one of Italy’s prettiest lakeside towns, twenty minutes apart.
FAQ
What is the best golf course on Lake Garda?
Gardagolf, San Vigilio and Arzaga are the most acclaimed championship courses. For views, Ca’ degli Ulivi above the eastern shore is hard to beat.
Do I need a handicap to play?
Most clubs ask for proof of a handicap or club membership, particularly on championship courses. Bring your certificate or app record.
When is the golf season on Lake Garda?
From March to November, with spring and early autumn the best times. Some courses stay open in winter when conditions allow.
Where should I stay for golf on Lake Garda?
The southern and south-western shore, around Sirmione, Desenzano, Salò and Pozzolengo, puts most of the main courses within half an hour.
Can I combine golf with wine tasting?
Easily. Lugana and Bardolino are around the lake, the Valpolicella is near Verona, and Franciacorta is about an hour to the west.
Where to stay: our guide to golf hotels on Lake Garda compares the best bases for a golf trip, and our Italy-wide list of the best golf resorts in Italy covers ten more.
