TRAVEL: Wine and Tees

THERE are two essentials you need when packing for Tuscany this summer a comfortable pair of trousers around the waistline and your golf clubs.

This central region of Italy, north of Rome, is renowned for its fine wines and sumptuous food so there is little chance that you will leave the table unsatisfied. And the same is likely to be the case when polishing off 18 holes.

On a recent visit to the area I managed three rounds at Toscana, Argentario and Punta Ala and, despite being within just an hour of each other, all threw up completely different challenges, backdrops and memories.

Toscana (pictured here), the resort course for the Cordial Golf Residence Il Pelagone, kicked off the trip and, after a daunting opening three holes where two large lakes gather anything slightly right, it soon works its way up through the hills.

Decorated by silver olive trees and Tuscan cypresses, it reaches the highest point on the course by the 9th green from where the most spectacular views are at hand.

A slightly gentler, though equally picturesque, back nine is brought to a close with a magnificent par-five 18th and, on a good day (of which there are over 300 per year in this part of the world) the islands of Elba and Corsica can be sighted.

Within an hour Argentario awaits. In the heart of the Maremma this beautiful coastal track offers some of the best views imaginable from a golf course, in particular at the long 6th where you drop a few hundred feet from the tee to green.

This, in my opinion, is the best course in the area and one that will create a few headlines in the coming years. It wants for nothing, whether practice facilities or somewhere smart to stay with an ultra-modern five-star hotel within a stone¹s throw, and a day spent here will live long in the memory.

Finally, in terms of golf, it was on to Punta Ala, which is relatively ancient in terms of Italian golfing history having opened back in 1964.

From the clubhouse not one hole is visible but below exists one of the most entertaining layouts you are likely to tackle.

Every hole is pretty much lined with pine and cork trees so if you do stray from the straight and narrow you will almost certainly find your ball and be able to attempt some sort of extravagant recovery.

Like Toscana and Argentario, a drink on the clubhouse terrace at Punta Ala is almost as enjoyable as what¹s gone on over the previous four or so hours.

A blanket of olive trees sweeps down to the Mediterranean and it serves as the perfect retreat to discuss the ups and downs of the round.

Golf in Tuscany is far better than most would assume. Even within these three courses there was a huge amount of variety in the type of shots required and the landscapes on which they are played out on ­ it couldn¹t be further removed than the long line of soulless resort courses you get in certain other parts of the world.

To boot, the region houses some of the most beautiful and picturesque cities in the world like Florence, Pisa, Siena, Lucca and Arezzo, or quaint little towns such as Massa Marittama.

If wine is a passion, or even just a once-a-week interest, the Rocca di Frassinello vineyard is well worth a visit. For a completely leisurely day there are hundreds of miles of stunning beaches.

With plenty of golf under the belt all that is left at night is to kick back and dine out in style and you will be really spoilt for choice if this visit was anything to go by.

Passo Carraio, in nearby Ravi, is a typical Tuscan kitchen with all the pasta hand-made and a choice of the likes of wild boar or lobster from the menu. To wash it down, you can choose from over 400 of the best wines, both local and overseas.

And for a truly memorable evening head to Il Grottaione, an old wine-tasting building next to the Montemassi Castle which is artificially lit at night.

The food and wine here is truly sensational and, although you may be forced to loosen your belt by a notch for the flight home, it will be well worth it.