Olgiata Golf Club: West

Marco Simone is the new kid on the block on the Roman golf scene, but Olgiata—on the northern fringes of the city—is the crown jewel of Italian golf. The 27-hole facility is a classic inland layout originally designed in 1962 by Englishman C.K. Cotton and a former member of Golf Digest's World's 100 Greatest rankings. Recent amendments by American architect Jim Fazio (brother of Tom Fazio) lengthened the course, completed a full rebunkering and added water hazards at strategic spots on five holes. Given its new chops, it might've been surprising to some that Italy's first Ryder Cup wasn't awarded to Olgiata. Rumor has it that old Etruscan tunnels run underneath the course.