Ready, steady Ryder Cup

For golf enthusiasts the world over, the start of the Ryder Cup is a date that's marked in the calendar as the European and US teams battle it out once again.

The European team is captained by Luke Donald, and features famous names like Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy, while the US team is led by Zach Johnson alongside Vice Captains Steve Stricker, Davis Love III, Jim Furyk, Fred Couples and Stewart Cink.

In its 44th edition, the 2023 Ryder Cup will be held at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, a 30-minute drive from the centre of Rome. It's the first time in history that Italy will host the major sporting event, taking place from 29th September to 1st October.

The course underwent a redesign led by European Golf Design in cooperation with Tom Fazio II, beginning in August 2018 and completed in March 2021. It focused on creating a golf course specifically with the drama of match play in mind, with the previous layout rerouted not only to provide numerous risk and reward opportunities for the world’s leading players, but also to maximise the natural rolling countryside terrain.

Spectators will have unrivalled vantage points of the on-course action as well as distant views of the famous Eternal City, including spectacular views of St Peter’s Basilica and of the Castle of Marco Simone which together will provide the backdrop to golf’s greatest team contest.

I will be spending as much time as possible glued to the television, but the occasion will definitely have me heading out onto the golf course to practise my swing come the weekend. If you're feeling inspired to get out on the greens after seeing the pros in action, here are some of my favourite Championship courses to try out on a golf and spa break...

2014 Ryder Cup host: Gleneagles

Gleneagles has so much to recommend it as a hotel and spa, from the Michelin Star dining to the five-star accommodation. For golfers, its three celebrated 18-hole golf courses are a top draw card. Not only has it hosted the Ryder Cup (2014) but also the Solheim Cup (2019). The three courses include:

• The King’s Course: A Braid-designed masterpiece and ‘inland links’ classic.
• The Queen’s Course: One of the finest par-68 heathland golf courses in the UK.
• PGA Centenary Championship Golf Course: A modern masterpiece created by 18-time major winner, Jack Nicklaus, and host of both the Ryder and Solheim Cups. It's also home to the PGA National Academy.

Four-time Ryder Cup host: The Belfry

A destination that does everything in exemplary fashion, The Belfry is an award-winning hotel and resort situated in the heart of the country in Royal Sutton Coldfield. Alongside a popular spa that's great for groups, it's also got three golf courses and a PGA National Golf Academy, and was the proud host of the Ryder Cup on four occasions, in 1985, 1989, 1993 and 2002. The three courses include:

• The Brabazon: This PAR 72 has seen many golf legends step up to the tee to take on the challenge and is a chance to relive the drama of the Ryder Cup.
• PGA National: With its inland link appearance, fast-running fairways and cavernous bunkers, this course will make even the most creative golfers take their time.
• The Derby: This PAR 70 parkland golf course demands the finest accuracy right from the beginning, making it a challenge for even the most seasoned golfer.

2010 Ryder Cup host: Celtic Manor

A feast of experiences awaits at Celtic Manor, a world-class destination in the Usk Valley in South Wales. A five-star hotel, multiple restaurants, and an all-singing, all-dancing spa complete with a Champagne and Beauty Bar are just the tip of the iceberg. They also have three world-class golf courses, one of which was the 2010 Ryder Cup host - a year which featured the likes of Tiger Woods, Graeme McDowell and Colin Montgomerie. They also have a golf academy featuring a floodlit Toptracer driving range plus two luxurious golf clubhouses. The three courses include:

• The Twenty Ten: The first course in history designed specifically to host The Ryder Cup, The Twenty Ten is full of dramatic risk-and-reward challenges.
• The Roman Road: The very first of the Resort’s courses, Roman Road is a par 70 course that overlooks the Severn Estuary with views across to Somerset and Devon.
• The Montgomerie: A dramatic par 69 challenge designed by Ryder Cup legend Colin Montgomerie, this course calls on all the player's Ryder Cup experience to deliver exciting tests of strategy.