Hidden in a dense plantation of coastal olive groves, Masseria San Domenico is an old farming complex that has been converted to a stylishly understated 5-star hotel and spa near the small fishing village of Savelletri, mid-way between Bari and Brindisi. A mile away, its golf course is contrastingly wide open, built on the site of an old airfield on the edge of the village, with sea views from every tee. From the moment an attendant greets us in the car park with the offer of a buggy ride to the clubhouse, all of a hundred yards away, it’s evident that golf club and hotel have been created to the same no-expense-spared specifications. And so it turns out, from the beautiful clubhouse to the nap of the greens. Apart from one big lake, cruelly sited to catch a nervous first tee shot, the course has all the characteristics of a Mediterranean links, its main defences being heavily bunkered greens, desert-like “waste areas” of pulverised rock with a colourful scattering of exotic local plants; and the wind, which makes a mockery of the yardage chart. San Domenico has no club membership, so tee times are guaranteed and crowds unheard of. Take a break at the turn to cool down with a spremuta on the clubhouse terrace; pause again at the 15 th to stroll across to the beach, dip a toe in the water and sample the catch a fisherman is frying for an impromptu lunch on the rocks. A new hotel development is under way at the entrance to the club, so we may not have San Domenico to ourselves for long. Play it before the word gets out.

Par 72 6220m
From €40-60