Gardagolf Country Club
Cotton, Pennink, Steel and Partners cut Gardagolf into the wooded hills above Lake Garda, opening the first 18 holes in 1986. A par 72 championship course across a 27 hole property, it has hosted the Italian Open three times and counts Matteo Manassero among its sons. Bernhard Langer holds the record here with a closing 64.
Photo: Gardagolf Country Club via Google.
The verdict
Gardagolf Country Club sits in the gentle hills behind the western shore of Lake Garda, near Soiano del Lago in the province of Brescia. The British firm Cotton, Pennink, Steel and Partners designed the original 18, inaugurated in June 1986, and a third nine, the Yellow course, followed in 1990 to give the club 27 holes in total.
This is one of Italy's genuine tournament venues. Gardagolf hosted the Italian Open in 1997, 2003 and again in 2018 as a Rolex Series event, along with the Ladies Italian Open and the Kronenbourg Open. It is the home club of four time European Tour winner Matteo Manassero, and its course record of 64 belongs to Bernhard Langer, set when he edged José María Olazábal at the uphill closing hole in 1997. For a Lake Garda golf trip it is the headline round, polished, championship tested and beautifully kept.
Gardagolf Country Club at a glance
- Opened
- 1986
- Designer
- Cotton, Pennink, Steel & Partners
- Type
- Hillside parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- About 6,500 m
- Green fee
- Seasonal, indicative
Designer, opening year and par verified June 2026 from Gardagolf Country Club and leading course databases, including Wikipedia's tournament record. The Red and White nines were designed by Cotton, Pennink, Steel and Partners and opened in 1986, with the Yellow nine added in 1990; the championship configuration plays to par 72 of about 6,500 metres. Green fees vary by season and tee time and are indicative for 2026, so always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Gardagolf rolls across hillside terrain above the lake, the fairways framed by mature trees and the holes flowing naturally with the contours. It is a course of position and shot shaping rather than brute length, asking the player to find the correct side of each fairway for a clear look at well guarded greens.
The championship 18 combines the Red and White nines into a par 72 that has proven a fair but searching tournament test. The greens run true and quick, and the closing stretch builds to the uphill 18th that decided the 1997 Italian Open, where the tree that caught Olazábal's drive is still known by members as the Olazabal tree.
From higher points on the back nine the views open across the vines and olive groves toward Lake Garda, a reminder that this is as much a destination round as a competitive one. It rewards the thinking golfer and gives back one of the most complete championship experiences in northern Italy.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | A members club that welcomes visitors with a tee time; a handicap certificate is generally expected |
| Green fee | Published seasonally and varies by day and tee time (indicative, 2026), always confirm directly before booking |
| Booking | Reserve ahead in the warm months; the trip team can secure tee times across the Lake Garda area |
| On the day | Carts are available on the hillside terrain; buggy hire is recommended for many visitors |
| Getting there | Near Soiano del Lago on the western side of Lake Garda, about an hour from Verona and its airport |
| Best months | April to October, with late spring and early autumn the most comfortable for the hillside walk |
Access and pricing verified June 2026; rates and policies change by season, so always confirm directly before planning a visit with the golf shop or your trip planner.
Where to stay nearby
Most visiting golfers base themselves on the western shore of Lake Garda, around Salo and Gardone Riviera, where lakeside hotels, fine dining and the spa town atmosphere make an easy and elegant home for a few days. The course is a short drive inland from the water.
Garda pairs beautifully with a wider northern Italy itinerary, from Verona and the wine country of Valpolicella to the lakes beyond. It is an ideal region to combine relaxed touring with championship golf, and Gardagolf is the natural anchor for any golf trip here.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Lake Garda.
Build a Lake Garda golf trip
We secure tee times at Gardagolf, pair them with the best of northern Italy and book the lakeside lodging around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Gardagolf Country Club questions
Who designed Gardagolf Country Club and when did it open?
Gardagolf was designed by the British firm Cotton, Pennink, Steel and Partners, with the first 18 holes opening in 1986 and a third nine added in 1990 to make 27 holes in total.
What is the par and length of Gardagolf?
The championship course at Gardagolf plays to par 72 of about 6,500 metres, combining the Red and White nines across hillside parkland above Lake Garda.
Has Gardagolf hosted professional tournaments?
Yes. Gardagolf has hosted the Italian Open three times, in 1997, 2003 and 2018, the last as a Rolex Series event, as well as the Ladies Italian Open and the Kronenbourg Open. Bernhard Langer holds the course record of 64.
Can visitors play Gardagolf Country Club?
Yes. Gardagolf is a members club that welcomes visitors with a tee time, subject to availability, and a handicap certificate is generally expected. Confirm green fees and access directly before arriving.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year and par verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.