4 nights at the Tenuta de l'Annunziata Natural Relais, including breakfast, 2 green fees and one dinner

In an area – the province of Como – which already had a high-density golf factor, in 1971 the Golf Club La Pinetina opened on 70 hectares in the immense Appiano Gentile Pinewood Parkland. The exclusive, relaxing, and peaceful context consists of woods with Scots pines, birches, oaks, and chestnut trees, some homes well hidden by the vegetation, and all of it far away from roads, noise, and the stress of daily life. The course follows the contour of the land, which is quite undulating with different playing situations. Evocative panoramic views of Monte Rosa and the Lombard Prealps can be glimpsed between the treetops. The club has a strong ecological approach: a photovoltaic plant installed in 2010 and a solar thermal energy system in 2013 have been steps along the club’s long journey of awareness and responsibility towards the environment. Over the years, La Pinetina joined the Committed to Green program, has been awarded environmental certification by the Golf Environment Organization (GEO), and was acknowledged by Federgolf for its commitment to energy conservation. Finally, it has constructed a pool following a bio-architecture project using the most advanced materials from an ecological standpoint. The last of the 18 holes is the game-changer. It is played by amateurs as a short par 5 but, in case of pro tournaments, it becomes the hardest of the entire course, a par 4 of 373 meters, meaning it is very long and what’s more, slightly uphill, with a fairway that slopes to the right and the green – designed on two very pronounced levels – is protected by three bunkers. The lovely clubhouse beside it offers welcome refreshments after the last efforts. Technical Details Course: 18 holes, Par 71, 5823 meters Architect: John Harris Topography: hilly at times, steep slopes, forest Special features: championship course, the first 9 holes are more challenging Pro’s Comments Precision, precision, precision: the three watchwords necessary to face the challenge of the La Pinetina course. Not long but delicate and undulating, this 18-hole course must be dealt with by forgoing power and the urge to risk; in particular, Hole 3, a very narrow and long par 5, has ruined the scores of many a golfer, even experts. If you don’t play long but precisely, La Pinetina is the perfect course to bet against golfers who take pride in their power.

It was in the late 1960s that the brothers Alessandro and Giuseppe Panza of Biumo decided to convert a farming estate of 140 hectares, just a few kilometers south of Como, into a golf course that would complete a modern design residential complex surrounded by greenery. Easily reached from Milan, Monticello was created to be used by families: a place where adults and children would be able to practice extra-golf activities such as bridge, tennis, football and swimming. With its 36 holes – it takes pride in being the first to have them, in 1974 – Monticello is a continuing evolution, entrusted to different signatures – the last ones belonging to Jim Fazio, Baldovino Dassù and Graham Cooke. The clubhouse is instead the work of the prestigious architect Luigi Caccia Dominioni, a low building with an elongated and meandering shape which reinterpreted the Lombard farmstead in a modern key. The Red course – imposing and challenging – has been one of the historic venues for the Italian Open, played here seven times between 1974 and 1992 and won, amongst others, by the American Billy Casper and the Australian Greg Norman. The Blue course is shorter – and therefore more accessible to players with medium-high handicaps – with the front 9 which are level and rather open and the back 9 narrower and more delicate. Technical Details Course: 18+18 holes, Par 72/72, 6055/5842 meters Architect: Baldovino, Dassù, Graham Cook. Topography: from flat to slightly undulated, with small greens protected by bunkers. Distinctive features: The first shot is very important, when you play your handicap. The drive must be placed in a very strategic way. Pro’s comments Playing at Monticello is delightful and fun. The red course, made more challenging by the touch of Baldovino, amongst others, which changed the design of some greens a few years ago, is long yet flat and can be played by players of any age and level of skill. Holes 9 and 18 are indeed spectacular, as they end in front of the clubhouse with a huge lake which makes approach shots to the green more difficult and complicated.