Grado is the leading venue on the NCG Top 100 European Golf Resorts list to sit in the northeast corner of Italy, sitting just minutes from Italy’s border with Slovenia to the east. Tenuta Primero is the name of the resort, with Grado’s golf course being a stunning part of it. There is also a glorious range of accommodation and amazing views of the lagoon and the Adriatic Sea to boot.

Golf Club Grado is a stunning place to place golf. The Par 72 championship golf course features water hazards - whether they be in the form of streams, lakes or the lagoon itself - on all 18 holes. The opening hole is a stunning par-3 to an island green, as if there aren’t enough nerves over the first tee shot!

Away from the course, Grado is also the home to a Golf Academy, where Andrea Ferlito and his team of professionals can provide coaching and tuition to golfers of all levels. There is a stunning driving range which features both covered, matted bays and a row of grass tees, while the short game area includes a putting green, chipping green with practice bunker and a short field to practise wedge play. 

In terms of accommodation, Tenuta Primero has it covered. The Marina House has a stunning range of rooms and suites, with the latter all featuring their own private balcony or terrace and with views of the Adriatic Sea. There are also a glorious array of cottages and bungalows, which offers that extra bit of privacy, and they are the perfect place for the family to stay in. They can sleep up to six people, with one-, two- and three-bedroom options available.

The views, the golf course and the incredible accommodation. Grado and the overarching Tenuta Primero resort has a little bit of everything to make it the perfect spot for a golfing holiday.

 

Visit Grado’s website here.

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Sitting on the coastline of the Adriatic Sea is Golf Club Grado, which offers a stunning 18-hole championship lay-out. With the backdrop of the lagoon to the north and within view of a nature reserve, Grado is a gorgeous place to play golf. The course measures at 6,500 yards from the back tees so it is not the longest of tracks, but there is danger on every hole. 

If you’re not a fan of courses with water hazards, then Grado is certainly not the place for you to take a holiday too. All 18 holes on the championship course feature a hazard of some sort, whether it is a lake, stream of the lagoon that borders the course. 

A round at Grado kicks off in incredible fashion. Unlike most courses, Grado begins with a par-3, but it is not just any par-3. It is a par-3 with an island green, and one that has to be hit from more than 190 yards away. It doesn’t get easier from there either, with the 3rd hole being the hardest on the course. A 568-yard par-5 from the tips, the fairway is split in two by the lake, with golfers having to hit their tee shots 250 yards to carry to the second section of fairway.

6 and 7 play with the lagoon on their right side, while 8 is a short par-3 with water down the left. The 10th hole runs between water on both sides, while 12 is the second island green on the course, but this time coming at the end of a par-5, and the hardest hole on the back side. The 13th is a long par-3, played entirely over water, measuring more than 230 yards. The closing hole at Grado is a dog-leg right par-4, with the water trailing the left side and out of bounds down the right. Although it is only 360 yards long, it is a tough finishing hole for any course. 

The Italian venue is also the home to a stunning practice facility, from which the Grado Golf Academy runs out of. The driving range sits on the very northeastern corner of the resort, close to the entrance of Grado.

The driving range provides both matted and grass tees for golfers to practise from, while there is also a short game area for wedge shots and approach play. There is a putting green and a chipping green, with the latter also having a bunker so players can master sand shots before taking to the course. 

Andrea Ferlito is the man in charge of the Grado Golf Academy. He and his team of qualified-PGA professionals are on hand to advise and coach golfers of all ages and skills, with prices starting at €60 for an hour-long lesson.

The Tenuta Primero is the accommodation offering that is linked to Golf Club Grado, and there is a stunning range of properties available for golfers to stay in during a stay on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. 

The choices are extensive, but each property is just a short walk from the golf course, while there is a private beach with views over the lagoon. There is also a marina with private boat hire, restaurants, bars, a pool and a bottega for guests to enjoy during a stay at the Tenuta Primero.

The Marina House is the main option when it comes to accommodation at Tenuta Primero, with an array of rooms and suites. There are both Double and King Rooms available, while the Suites at the Marina House add another level of luxury, with those suites all having either terraces or balconies. 

There are a range of one-, two- and three-bedroom cottages in the resort as well, each coming with that little touch of privacy. The wooden design of these cottages is sublime, and provides a glorious outlook on the resort. Tenuta Primero also has a range of bungalows which have that rustic Italian design. Those can fit up to five people. 

There is not just golf on offer at Tenuta Primero. Along with Golf Club Grado, there are plenty of other sports and activities on offer for guests of the resort. 

Sticking with dry land, there are tennis courts which are free of charge for guests of the resort. There is also the opportunity to play football, basketball, volleyball and beach volleyball at Tenuta Primero. There is also a skatepark and the option to hire bicycles to go on a bike ride around the resort and surrounding area. 

On the water, which surrounds the resort, there is a water sports school. There are lessons on windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking and canoeing, while if you already know what you’re doing, then you can hire water sports equipment and snorkelling gear to go and enjoy the water. Guests can also hire boats out to take onto the lagoon for a relaxing afternoon.

Where is Grado located?
Grado is located in the northeast corner of Italy, with views over the Gulf of Trieste and into the Adriatic Sea. Monfalcone is the nearest major town, which sits just a few miles from the Italian border with Slovenia. 

What is the nearest airport to Grado?
The nearest airport to Grado is Trieste-Friuli Venezia Giulla Airport, which is ten miles to the northeast. However, only five airlines operate from the airport. Venice Marco Polo Airport is the nearest major airport to Grado, around 80 miles to the west of the resort. 

What golf facilities does Grado offer?
As well as the course, the practice facilities at Grado include a driving range and a short game area. The driving range has a run of grass tees, whilst the short game area features a putting green, chipping green with bunker and a short field for wedge play. 

The inside of the clubhouse has a truly rustic Italian feel to it, and includes a stunning restaurant. There is also a pro shop which is kitted out with the major brands and some Grado-branded gear which can be bought as a souvenir. 

Does Grado offer golf lessons?
Tuition is available for all players at the Grado Golf Academy. Andrea Ferlito and his team of qualified PGA professionals are on hand to help golfers of all levels and ages, from beginners to the most advanced of students. 

A green fee at Grado is relatively cheap compared to a lot of places on the NCG Top 100 European Golf Resorts list, with a round at the Italian venue costing just €80 throughout the year. 

Is Grado suitable for families?
Although there is no kids club as such at the Tenuta Primero Resort, there is plenty for the children to do. From frolicing about in the swimming pools, to enjoying the tidal flats and playing a whole host of different sports, the kids will be entertained during a stay on the Adriatic coast. 

What accommodation is on offer at Grado?
There is a range of accommodation at Grado, with the Tenuta Primero being the place for guests to stay. Cottages, bungalows and suites are all on offer at the resort, with each having their own distinct Italian charms. 

The closest resort to Grado is actually not in Italy. Instead, Slovenia’s leading resort on the NCG Top 100 European Golf Resorts list - Royal Bled - is the nearest. Royal Bled sits around two hours away to Grado’s east. The closest Italian resort on our list is Castelconturbia, which is around 300 miles away to the west. 

Visit Grado’s website here.

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage.