Completely renovated in 2021 to host the Italian Open and, in 2023, the Ryder Cup, the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club is at the center of attention not only from an Italian perspective, but also on the global stage.
An extremely competitive field will be staged on the 18 holes (par 71) which we are now going to discover.
Ryder Cup, course
HOLE 1 (par 4, 407 meters): it is located in the middle of the course, and has a slight right-left before reaching the green, where an important part is the positioning of the flag.
There are two possibilities: play long towards the right bunker from the tee shot or settle towards the left one which is further back, but with a second shot a bit more complicated towards the green. HOLE 2 (par 4, 435 meters): the bunkers are the main challenge of this hole, given their positioning: one in the middle of the fairway, two on the left in a typical drive landing area and another 40 meters from the green , as well as the one right in front.
If the first shot goes well, the second can be a long iron to try to approach the flag. HOLE 3 (par 4, 414 meters): here the dogleg is all on the left, where many will undoubtedly try to cut above the rough on the right. The two bunkers in front of the green should not be too problematic, which however has its complications by virtue of the various slopes that govern it.
HOLE 4 (par 3, 172 meters): the register changes and the positioning of the flag becomes a key factor, in addition to the atmospheric ones. There are two choices: challenge the bunkers on the right or play a safer approach to the left.
HOLE 5 (par 4, 344 meters): first water obstacle of the course, placed to the left of the fairway. The ideal trajectory is to the right, then you need to pass the bunker in front of the green. Beware of the slopes that can create problems right on the green depending on where the flag is.
HOLE 6 (par 4, 348 meters): this is basically a straight hole, with plenty of room for birdies if you don’t hit the two bunkers placed in front and to the right of the green. The length of the first shot is fundamental.
HOLE 7 (par 3, 203 meters): higher difficulty than hole 4, with the tee shot placed higher than the green. Everything changes according to where the flag is: if it is short, a medium iron is enough, if instead it is more towards the last part of the green, you need the long one to avoid having to overcome an insidious slope.
HOLE 8 (par 5, 480 meters): it is the first par 5 of the course, with a structure to be interpreted. There is water on the left, there is only one bunker in front of the green, tending to the right. You can try to overcome the water after the tee shot or you can go around it; two different approaches, two different levels of risk.
HOLE 9 (par 5, 537 meters): you go next to the aforementioned water obstacle, but from the tee shot what should be avoided is the bunker in the middle of the fairway, the second that appears of the seven located here. Almost everyone will need two shots to get to the green, surrounded by the sandy element.
HOLE 10 (par 4, 414 meters): dogleg a little to the left, with the possibility of reaching the green relatively easily with the second shot. Once again the flag is important, because going to the right, apart from the bunker, there is an important slope.
HOLE 11 (par 4, 301 meters): this hole is short, and in theory it would be the starting point for easy birdies. This is not the case, in the sense that there are two large bunkers on both sides and, above all, the slopes both outside and inside the (rather large) green suggest a certain caution.
And pay attention to the green, which is both fast and treacherous. HOLE 12 (par 5, 499 meters): bunker-trap at will: after the first four at the beginning of the fairway, the three places in front of the green represent dangers of various kinds.
The green is quite small and can be reached with a second shot that starts from the left, or you can play to get to approach the third without risking getting into bunker trouble. HOLE 13 (par 3, 137 meters): in fact the only concern is the green, which has many slopes.
Better to play in the center or on the right, because on the left you risk a bunker or a tree. Here too there is the potential for numerous birdies. HOLE 14 (par 4, 465 meters): in this case the dogleg goes to the right, and the problem of trying to go left to cut the path is represented by the many trees that are there.
Overcoming the difficulties of the drive well here is fundamental: it can be worth a shot less, since the green is not exactly the most difficult that can be found. HOLE 15 (par 4, 438 meters): you start with a raised tee shot and then go uphill with a leftward trend.
The least recommended trajectory is to the right because there is a bunker that can ruin everything. It is not easy to reach the green because on the right there are three very well placed bunkers. HOLE 16 (par 4, 322 meters): it is a short hole, but with the water to the right of the green which is not recommended to approach from that side.
There are two interpretations: one that stops before the small stream placed a little before the green, the other that, on the other hand, counts on overcoming that particular obstacle. HOLE 17 (par 3, 188 meters): the difficulty is mainly linked to the complex slopes found on the green.
Nor should we forget the bunker which is located directly in front of it, as well as the river that extends on the left side. To use a musical paraphrase, here is a question of iron. HOLE 18 (par 5, 570 meters): the longest hole comes to the end, just to leave nothing to chance.
Various bunkers to the right and left, you tend to reach the green with the third shot, but you can also try it in two. The approach from the right is recommended, but the slopes here can be very deceptive.
