5 Nights at the Hotel Miramare & Spa with breakfast and 2 green fees (GC Rapallo & GC St. Anna)

Only 200 mt off the motorway exit, lies the entrance of Rapallo Golf Club, overlooking the intense green of the Santa Maria hills, along the road going to the nearby towns of Santa Margherita and Portofino. Its creation, in 1931, was due to precise tourist reasons: the local Tourist Board wanted to meet the requirements of the many British holiday-makers. To the original 9 holes, 40 years later, further 9 were added to complete the course, which alternates flat holes with distinctly more uneven ones. For those who are used to the traditional Ligurian vegetation, with olive groves and Mediterranean shrubs, Rapallo represents an exception, full of exotic plants, thanks to the seeds sown in the early days by the world travelling members. The red thread that runs through the course is the Boate stream, which has its source among the hills of the Rapallo hinterland and then, 3 km later, plunges into the Ligurian Sea; but along its path, it manages to squeeze – more or less powerfully -in the middle 10 of the holes. At the 3rd, in particular, (a 356 m par 4) a rather delicate hole with a raised green which is hidden behind the top of the hill, the stream runs along the fairway on the right side and suddenly swerves to the left just in front of the green, preventing the less powerful players approaching the flag with the second shot. In the clubhouse, do not miss the local delicacies: olive oil Focaccia (a single stripe won’t be enough!) and Crostone, a hot slice of bread spread with Stracchino cheese: a simple but delicious snack. Technical Details Course: 18 holes, Par 70, 5260 meters Architect: Cabell B. Robinson Topography: hilly, many natural hazards Distinctive features: on this course, precision makes the difference. Pro’s comments The Golf Club Rapallo is a jewel located inside the homonyms town. For this reason, its builder had little space with which to create it. Also, for this reason, precision is a fundamental requisite for obtaining good results. Be careful on the last 4 holes: two very difficult par 3s (15 and 18), together with two very narrow and delicate par 4s (16 and 17) are the true turning points of this course. Keep cool and use a cautious game plan; you won’t be sorry.

The most recent 18-hole Ligurian course boasts an important signature, that of the American Robert von Hagge, designer of many award-winning courses in the world. At the St. Anna Golf Club in Lerca in the province of Genoa, you will discover a golf club with a genuine and reserved ambiance that is typically Ligurian, with the sea almost within reach in places and in others, hidden amongst the hills where the designer marked out the course. The course is quite undulating and rewards precision rather than length. What is important is to place the ball well in order to attack the multi-level greens, large enough to change the game completely according to the position of the flag. This is no course for the lazy; so if you are, book a golf cart. There are many differences in level, especially on the front nine, and those 65 hectares of terrain winding through olive trees, oaks and pine trees can become exhausting. Once the sport is over, the opportunities for a cultural excursion are endless. Genoa is only half an hour away with its picturesque alleyways in the historic district which lead to the 16th century Porto Antico, the Old Harbor, where you can visit the Galata Museum of the Sea, and the Aquarium – the second largest in Europe after Valencia. Don’t miss the experience of tasting some Genoese street food and stop by one of the fried-food shops in the historic district. Just a stone’s throw away from the Museum, make sure to visit Carega – a historical eatery since 1942 – where you will find the best fritters made with baccalà, dried and salted cod. We also highly recommend the Antica Sciamadda, which dates back to no less than 1874 in Via San Giorgio, where you will find farinata, a chickpea flatbread that is low, crunchy and just greasy enough. Technical Details Course: 18 holes, Par 72, 6069 meters Architect: Robert van Hagge Topography: hilly, sometimes steep. Golf car suggested Distinctive features: this course has two faces: the first 9 holes are steep, the last 9 are flat. Highest precision and strategy are required. Pro’s Comments Very demanding on a technical level but also on a physical level. Strategic errors can occur the first time you try on this course. The holes are all interesting and the greens are protected by bunkers and some water hazards. I would like to mention in particular hole 11, a long Par 3 with a water obstacle in front, narrow and very sloping green. Then, hole 17 is a Par 5 which requires great accuracy, as the water on the left and an out of bounds on the right complicate the action. Hole 18, Par 4, has a green located on the top of a small hill. Strength is required! To enjoy this course, don’t hesitate to play it several times and don’t forget to reserve a cart …