If the Pope played golf, this splendid Trent Jones course, set in an ancient volcanic crater near Lake Albano would be his local facility: Castelgandolfo Palace, which looks down on the course and is easily identified by its observatory dome, has been the Pontiff's summer residence since 1596. The location is also extremely convenient for Ciampino airport. Trent Jones Sr has made typically skilful use of the natural landscape, placing fairways between venerable Mediterranean olives and pines, with cypress trees and abundance of wildlife adding to the charm of the round. Two big lakes present a formidable obstacle at several holes, notably the fourth, a dogleg par four with water on both sides of fairway and green, not to mention a territorial pair of black swans, and the fifteenth, a long par 5 where the lake intervenes repeatedly. That said, Castelgandolfo is an inviting course for golfers of all standards: not too long, easily walkable, and at its trickiest around the greens. Enjoy the views, and bring your championship putter. Dominating the course is one of the most beautiful of Italian clubhouses, a 17th century villa that Cardinal Flavio Chigi built for a girl friend known as La Pavona, the name by which the locality is now known. Castelgandolfo is a welcoming country club, and a thoroughly relaxing holiday base, with tennis, swimming and good-value accommodation in modern apartments overlooking the course. The lovely sandy beaches of Sabaudia are an hour away.

Par 72 6205m
Weekdays from €60, Weekends from €70