One of the quiet pleasures of staying in the Chianti hills is how much variety lies within a short drive in almost every direction. For golfers, this holds especially true. Within 45 minutes of Villa Talciona in Poggibonsi, four very different golf courses await, each embedded in a distinct corner of Tuscany’s landscape. Whether you prefer a parkland setting surrounded by medieval history, a championship layout carved into wine-country hills, or a resort course with panoramic valley views, there is a round here for every kind of golfer.
Circolo Golf Abbadia (10 km, approximately 15 minutes)
The closest course to Villa Talciona is Circolo Golf Abbadia, just 10 km away in the San Galgano area, making it an effortless choice for a morning round before lunch. The course sits in a wooded river valley and draws its character from the natural terrain: generous fairways move through stands of oak and poplar, with the gentle sound of the Merse river nearby. It is an approachable, pleasantly unpretentious club that suits golfers of all levels.
With 18 holes and a layout that rewards straight, thoughtful play rather than power, Abbadia is a good choice for mixed groups. The clubhouse is welcoming and serves honest Tuscan food at lunch. For guests staying at the villa who want a spontaneous round without a long drive, this is the natural first choice.
Golf Club Castelfalfi (25 km, approximately 30 minutes)
Castelfalfi is perhaps the most ambitious golf project in Tuscany, set within an enormous medieval estate that includes a restored hilltop village, vineyards, an olive oil press, and a luxury hotel. The 18-hole championship course weaves through vineyards and olive groves with views across to the surrounding hills. The landscape is spectacular and the course has been designed to make the most of it, with several holes offering panoramas that demand a moment of genuine pause before you address the ball.
The course is well maintained and plays at a length that challenges stronger golfers while remaining enjoyable for mid-handicappers. The estate’s history adds texture to every round: you play past ancient stone farmhouses and through terraced groves that have been cultivated for centuries. The clubhouse and post-round dining at Castelfalfi are excellent, making it an easy full-day excursion from the villa. At 30 minutes from Poggibonsi, it is entirely comfortable as a regular outing during a longer stay.
Royal Golf La Bagnaia (40 km, approximately 50 minutes)
Set within the La Bagnaia Golf and Spa Resort near Murlo, south of Siena, this is the course for golfers who want a complete resort experience. The 18-hole layout rolls across open Sienese countryside with the kind of wide, sun-bleached views that characterise this part of Tuscany. Fairways are broad and the course plays well for a range of handicaps, though the undulating greens will test your short game.
What sets La Bagnaia apart is its setting in the wider Murlo and Crete Senesi area, one of the most visually striking parts of Tuscany. The drive south from Poggibonsi takes you through some of the region’s most beautiful countryside, and combining a round here with a stop in one of the small Sienese hill towns makes for a very rewarding day out. The resort’s restaurant and spa facilities mean there is no shortage of ways to extend the afternoon after your round.
Golf Club Parco di Firenze (45 km, approximately 55 minutes)
The furthest of the four courses from Villa Talciona, Golf Club Parco di Firenze lies on the southern edge of Florence and offers 27 holes across a parkland setting framed by Florentine hills. It is a polished, well-organised club with good practice facilities and a consistent standard of course maintenance year-round. The proximity to Florence makes it a natural pairing with a cultural day in the city.
For guests who want to spend a morning on the fairways and an afternoon in the Uffizi Gallery or wandering the Oltrarno, this is the obvious choice. The route from Poggibonsi to Florence is quick and straightforward, and the course sits close enough to the city to make the combination genuinely practical rather than merely theoretical.
Choosing the Right Course for Your Stay
With four very different options within reach, the choice comes down to what you want from each day. Abbadia suits a relaxed, unhurried morning round. Castelfalfi is worth an early start and a full day. La Bagnaia pairs beautifully with an afternoon in the Sienese countryside. Parco di Firenze delivers the full Florence experience.
You can easily mix and match across a week’s stay, playing two or three different courses and building the rest of each day around the nearby cultural and culinary highlights. Our surroundings page has more detail on the towns and landscapes you will pass through on the way.
Villa Talciona’s position in the Chianti hills, with a private pool and garden waiting at the end of every round, makes it a genuinely excellent base for a golf week in Tuscany. To check dates and availability, visit our booking page and get in touch. We look forward to welcoming you.
