Florence and golf in one morning? That’s the twist. This private tour gives you 9 holes near the city and then treats you to a sommelier-led lunch with wine pairings, all guided by hosts Eduardo and Caterina. It’s a fun way to see Florence beyond viewpoints, with a more relaxed pace.

What I like most is how personal it feels for your group. Eduardo helps you feel comfortable on the course, and Caterina, a master sommelier, runs the food-and-wine portion with a sensory pairing game that makes the meal more than just eating. The only real catch is that golf gloves and golf shoes are not included, so you’ll want to plan for that before you arrive.

You start early, you play only 9 holes (so it stays doable), and the day stays tightly focused. In about half a day you get sport, food, wine, and time back in the city.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Private and customized for your group, not a big shuffle with strangers
• Eduardo coaches on the course so you can enjoy your swing instead of fighting your way through it
• Driving range practice with unlimited balls before you tee off
• Caterina runs the lunch with sommelier-led wine pairings and a sensory pairing game
• Four-course meal with four wines to taste, plus water and coffee/tea
• Golf gear included, except gloves and shoes

A Private 9 Holes in Florence, Then Sommelier Lunch

This is not the usual Florence plan. You’re not spending the morning marching through churches and museums. You’re trading that for tee times, practice balls, and a lunch built around tasting wine with intent.

The “half-day” format matters. Nine holes keeps it lively and not too long, especially for a mixed group where not everyone lives for 18 holes. You’ll get the satisfaction of playing a real course, but without turning your day into a full endurance event.

Then the tour flips into food mode. Caterina’s approach is designed to make pairings feel obvious and fun, not complicated. Instead of just handing you glasses and hoping for the best, she guides you through a sensory game that connects flavors to what you’re tasting. It’s a great match for Florence, where food is part of culture and not just a stop on the itinerary.

And since this is private, you can expect the pace to fit your group. If you need a moment to reset after golf, or you want to ask more questions about the wines and ingredients, you’re not competing with a crowd.

Stazione Leopolda Pickup and the Piazzale Michelangelo Pause

You meet at Stazione Leopolda in Florence. The start time is 8:30 am, which is smart. It helps you beat the worst traffic and gives you a calm morning before the city gets busy.

From there, your day starts with a drive in an air-conditioned vehicle. The tour also includes a stop at Piazzale Michelangelo. Even if you keep it brief, that stop helps you shift from “city morning” to “day of experiences” with a classic Florence viewpoint moment built into the transfer.

Here’s the practical value: that first leg is usually where people feel travel fatigue. Getting comfortable in the van early helps you arrive at golf ready to play, not already tired.

Also, because this tour ends back at the starting point, you don’t have to solve the hardest logistics after lunch. Your route stays clean.

Practice First: Unlimited Range Balls Before You Tee Off

Before you play, you get time to train on the driving range. The best part is the phrase “unlimited use of balls.” That means you’re not stuck rationing shots like it’s a ticketed bucket.

For me, that changes the whole golf experience. Even if you’re a beginner, you can loosen up, test your swing, and get a sense of pace and contact before the course asks more of you. If you’ve played before, it’s also time to warm up without rushing.

The tour’s setup is designed to reduce friction. You’ll have the gear arranged, and Eduardo will be there during the day. That means you’re not figuring out equipment and logistics on your own while trying to concentrate on your game.

If you’re bringing your own clubs, you’d better be careful here: the tour includes a golf bag complete with irons and a trolley, so you may not need to carry anything golf-specific beyond what’s not included (gloves and shoes).

Parco di Firenze: The Feel of Playing Golf Near the City

You drive about 10 minutes to Parco di Firenze golf course to play 9 holes. This is the heart-of-the-action part of the tour: you’re golfing in the Florence area without giving up the convenience of being close to the city.

The tour includes entrance to the golf course and access to the changing room. That’s not just a nice-to-have. It helps you arrive settled, especially if you’re coming from a hotel in town or you’ve got to shift from street clothes to something more comfortable for the game.

Eduardo’s role here is about comfort and flow. He assists you during the game, which matters because golf is one of those activities where small mistakes snowball. When you have someone helping you stay relaxed—like where to stand, what to focus on for a swing, or how to manage your rhythm—you end up enjoying the round more than you expected.

One more practical note: since it’s only 9 holes, don’t treat it like a full tournament. Think of it as a guided golf experience with real play time. You’ll likely finish feeling like you did something active and fun, not like you barely survived the pace.

How Eduardo Helps You Enjoy the Game

A lot of “golf experiences” are really just tee times with minimal support. Here, Eduardo’s involvement is part of the value.

From what you can glean about the experience, Eduardo and Caterina are not passive hosts. Eduardo is there to help you make your game comfortable, so you spend less time worrying and more time playing. And that support is especially useful if your group has mixed skill levels.

Here’s what that should look like in real life:

• You’ll get guidance on how to settle into play instead of feeling lost at the first tee.
• You can ask questions without slowing a large group down.
• You can enjoy the surroundings because you’re not constantly troubleshooting your own setup.

That last point is underrated. At a course near a major city, you can end up playing while thinking about transit, where to eat, and how to get back. The structure of this tour reduces that mental load.

And based on the praise for Eduardo and Caterina, the day is as much about sharing know-how as it is about golf and wine.

The Meal: Four Courses and Caterina’s Wine Pairing Game

After golf, you head to a favorite restaurant in the city. This is where Caterina takes over in a big way.

The lunch is four-course, and the wine portion is sommelier-led. You’ll have four wines to taste during lunch, with pairings designed around the food. There’s also a sensory game of food and wine pairing, which turns the meal into an activity rather than a passive tasting.

I like pairing formats like this because they force your brain to pay attention. Instead of drifting through the meal, you start noticing how tastes change when you switch between food and wine. It makes each course feel more distinct.

Here’s a sample menu you can expect for the lunch experience:

• Starter: mixed cold cuts, cheeses and jams, plus bruschetta with tomato, mushrooms and lard
• Main: ricotta ravioli with tomato, plus fresh handmade pasta
• Dessert: chocolate salami or tiramisu

Those choices are very Tuscan in spirit. And the tour frames the pairing around organic and natural products of Tuscany, which gives the meal a clear theme. You’re not just tasting whatever is on the list. You’re tasting with a lens.

Also included at lunch: bottled water and coffee and/or tea, so you’re not hunting for hydration or a proper finish after golf.

Why This Package Feels Like Value (Even at $457.56)

Let’s talk money in a practical way. At $457.56 per person, this is not a budget activity. But you’re also getting a lot bundled together—especially for a private experience.

Here’s what’s included:

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Golf bag with irons, plus a trolley and golf balls
• Course entry and changing room
• Lunch (four courses)
• Coffee/tea and bottled water
• Wine: four wines to taste, with sommelier guidance

The golf items alone can add up fast if you’re renting or buying for a short day. Then you add the lunch plus wine pairings—this isn’t just a sandwich after golf. It’s a guided culinary experience.

What’s not included is also important for value planning:

• Golf glove and golf shoes are not included.

If you already own them, you’re set. If you don’t, you’ll want to budget time to acquire them before the tour or find a rental option on your own. That’s the main place where your costs can quietly creep up.

What to Bring and How to Prepare for a Smooth Day

Even though a lot is provided, you’ll still want to show up ready.

Bring:

• Golf glove (required for comfort; not included)
• Golf shoes (not included)
• A light layer for the morning drive (you’ll be outside part of the day)

Wear:

• Comfortable clothes for practice and the round
• Something you can move in, since you’ll switch from city-to-course mode

If you’re someone who’s rusty with golf, don’t stress. Use the driving range warm-up time as your reset button. If you’re more experienced, enjoy the support. Eduardo’s help makes it easier to play without getting stuck in technical loops.

And for the lunch, remember you’ll be tasting four wines. Pace yourself, and if you’re planning the rest of your day after the tour, choose something relaxed.

Best Fit: Who This Tour Works for

This tour is best if you want a mix of sport and serious food without a full day commitment.

You’ll probably like it if:

• Your group includes people who want golf but aren’t sure how comfortable they’ll feel
• You enjoy wine and like learning through a guided pairing format
• You’d rather do one memorable “experience block” than scatter your time across half a dozen stops
• You value private hosting and want your schedule shaped around you

You may not love it if:

• Your group expects a long, technical golf clinic or 18 holes
• Nobody in your party cares about wine pairings or the food element

The balance is the point here: golf first, then a culinary payoff.

Should You Book Golf and Wine in the Heart of Florence?

I’d book this when you want Florence to feel personal and fun, not just tourist-efficient. It’s a smart value when you factor in private hosting, golf access and included gear, and a four-course lunch with sommelier-led wine tasting. It’s also a great choice for groups who want something different from the usual Florence routine.

If you’re ready with golf gloves and shoes, you’ll have a smoother day. If you need to source them last minute, plan ahead so the morning doesn’t get stressful.

For me, the strongest reasons to choose it are simple: Eduardo and Caterina’s hosting style, the hands-on support during golf, and the way the lunch turns wine pairing into an engaging experience.

If that sounds like your kind of Florence morning, this one is worth your time.

FAQ

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at Stazione Leopolda, located at 50144 Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy.

What time does the experience start?

The start time is 8:30 am.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about 6 hours.

How many holes do we play?

You’ll play 9 holes at the Parco di Firenze golf course.

Is golf equipment included?

Yes. The tour provides a golf bag with irons, a trolley, and golf balls, plus course access and the changing room. Golf gloves and golf shoes are not included.

What’s included in the lunch and wine?

Lunch is a four-course gourmet meal, and you’ll have wine pairings guided by a sommelier, including four wines to taste. Bottled water and coffee and/or tea are also included.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s private, and only your group participates.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount you paid is not refunded.

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