North Coast Adventures:
Lake Como, Italy
Golf high above Lake Como: Menaggio & Cadenabbia Golf Club
By Matt Fernandez
The Scene
Perched high above the western shore of Lake Como, at the foothills of the Alps, Menaggio & Cadenabbia Golf Club stands as one of the most scenic and historic rounds in all of Italy. Founded in 1907, it's Italy’s second-oldest golf club, but age alone doesn’t define this place. What defines it is a sense of old-school charm & hospitality, combined with a fun, playable loop with unmatched views of Lake Como and the foothills of the Alps.
A Journey Well-Worth the Travel
Many visitors frequenting Lake Como stay in the iconic little town of Bellagio, right in the
heart of Lake Como. Getting to Menaggio & Cadenabbia Golf Club from Bellagio is part of the experience. Start by boarding the Bellagio–Mennagio ferry, which takes roughly 15–30 minutes and offers beautiful views of Lake Como and the nearby small towns painted in the distance. Once you arrive in Mennagio, a quick taxi (if you can hail one) ride up the winding hillside roads leads you to the club entrance. The ascent to the clubhouse provides idyllic glimpses of Lake Como, the adjacent mountains, and charming villages below, setting the stage for an unforgettable round of golf.
English Vision on Italian Soil
Menaggio & Cadenabbia was born from the vision of a group of English gentlemen wintering in Lake Como. The group sought to recreate the comfort and sporting culture of the English countryside in the then increasingly popular holiday region. They chose the hills above Menaggio for the mild climate, natural slopes, and extraordinary views, an ideal setting for the first nine holes.
Due to the property being used as farmland prior to the course's build, old cottages and barns are scattered throughout, a subtle reminder of the land's past that only adds to the charm.
The Course
The Course - Continued
At just over 5,400 meters (~6,000 yards), distance takes a back seat to
placement, as small greens reward solid iron and wedge play. Every hole feels distinct yet part of a seamless flow, with tight transitions from green to tee and clever use of the contours of the land. The loop finishes at the clubhouse terrace, delivering a final, cinematic view of Lake Como as you sink your last putt. Then, it’s time to enjoy the view from the 19th hole.
Chemical Free, For You, Me, the Birds & the Bees.
One of Menaggio & Cadenabbia’s most quietly remarkable qualities is its commitment to
natural, chemical-free course maintenance. Unlike most modern courses that rely heavily on fertilizers and synthetic treatments, Menaggio embraces a gentler, more traditional
stewardship of the land. The result is a course where nature is not just present—it thrives.
Wildflowers blossom in the rough lines, bees hum in the distance and butterflies flourish
across the course. This organic approach gives the course a raw, more natural feel, and it
reinforces what Menaggio is all about. It’s golf in harmony with nature; more biodiverse,
more vibrant, and unmistakably more alive (more on this later).
A Timeless Round Above the Lake
Menaggio & Cadenabbia Golf Club is a timeless round; like stepping back in-time to a bygone era of golf. The course is simple, sustainable and scenic. The people are unbelievably kind and hospitable. The views and journey to get there make this place incredibly special. Menaggio is truly a top-10 golf round I've experienced.
PS: Gelato is a post-round must
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