Marco Simone golf guide: playing Rome's 2023 Ryder Cup course
The stadium course in the hills outside Rome that staged the 2023 Ryder Cup — and welcomes visitors. The course, how to play it, when to go, and pairing it with the Eternal City.
Marco Simone is Italy's Ryder Cup course — the hilly, water-laced stadium layout in the hills north-east of Rome where Europe beat the USA 16½–11½ in 2023, the first Ryder Cup held in Italy. Rebuilt by European Golf Design with Tom Fazio II specifically to stage the match, it's a modern amphitheatre of a course, with views back toward the city and St Peter's dome on a clear day, and a medieval castle on the estate.
Best of all for a visiting golfer, it's not locked away: it welcomes green-fee play. Here's the course, how to book, when to go, and how to fold a round into a Rome trip.
Where
Guidonia Montecelio, in the hills ~30 min NE of central Rome
Course
The Championship Course (par 72); a 9-hole resort course too
European Golf Design with Tom Fazio II · 1991 (rebuilt 2018–21) · 18 holes · Stadium parkland · par 72
Host of the 2023 Ryder Cup — the first in Italy
The original 1991 course was completely re-routed and rebuilt between 2018 and 2021 by European Golf Design and Tom Fazio II into a purpose-built Ryder Cup stadium: hilly, water in play across the closing stretch, and natural amphitheatres for spectators. In September 2023, Luke Donald's Europe took it 16½–11½.
The finish is built for drama — reachable and risk-laden par 5s and water-guarded greens that decided matches on the Sunday. From the members' tees it's a thrilling, playable version of a course the whole golf world watched.
How to play Marco Simone (booking)
Marco Simone is a members' club that welcomes green-fee visitors — part of the Ryder Cup legacy is that you can play the course the pros did. Tee times are bookable online through the club, which is open daily from morning to evening; international visitors often book through authorised tour operators, and advance booking (a month or more ahead) is wise in the good-weather seasons. Green fees vary by season and day, so check the club's current rates rather than relying on a quoted figure.
Central Italy is at its best for golf in spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) — warm, settled and comfortable on a hilly walk. Summers are hot around Rome, and winters are mild and generally playable, making Marco Simone close to a year-round option with the shoulders as the sweet spot.
Getting there
The club is at Guidonia Montecelio, about 30 minutes from central Rome. Rome Fiumicino (FCO) is roughly 45–60 minutes away and Ciampino (CIA) is closer — both well connected across Europe. A car helps, but many visitors base in Rome and drive out for the round.
How to play it
The obvious move is to pair the golf with Rome itself — few rounds double so easily as a culture trip, with the city's food, wine and history on the doorstep. For more Italian golf, Olgiata is another quality course near Rome, and the courses of Tuscany are within reach for a longer tour. See our best golf trip destinations guide for how a Ryder Cup course pairs with a city break.
What to pack
The kit this trip demands
Marco Simone is a hilly, walkable round in warm Roman sun for much of the season — pack for sun with a light layer for a cool morning or evening:
Yes — it's a members' club that welcomes green-fee visitors, and part of the Ryder Cup legacy is public access to the course. Tee times are bookable online (international visitors often go through authorised tour operators); book ahead in the good-weather seasons and check the club's current green fees.
What happened at the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone?
Marco Simone hosted the first Ryder Cup held in Italy, in September 2023, where Luke Donald's Europe beat the USA 16½–11½. The course was rebuilt specifically to stage the match.
Who redesigned Marco Simone for the Ryder Cup?
The original 1991 course was completely re-routed and rebuilt between 2018 and 2021 by European Golf Design in cooperation with Tom Fazio II, into a hilly stadium layout built for spectators and match-play drama.
When is the best time to play Marco Simone?
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are ideal — warm and settled. Summers around Rome are hot and winters mild, so the shoulder seasons are the sweet spot.
How do you get to Marco Simone?
It's at Guidonia Montecelio, about 30 minutes from central Rome. Rome Fiumicino (FCO) is roughly 45–60 minutes away and Ciampino (CIA) is closer. Many visitors base in Rome and drive out.
