A 303-yard, par four that has a green reachable from the tee and two epic par fives that will test the world’s best golfers… Mail Sport picks three key holes that could decide the Ryder Cup

Rome is known for its Seven Hills, so it’s perhaps no surprise that the city’s most famous golf course will provide some serious, physical training for Europe and America’s Ryder Cup stars.

One of only 325 golf courses in Italy and 16 kilometers from St. Peter’s Basilica, the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club is a real climb with a dizzying height of 45 meters between the lowest point on the front nine and the highest point on the back nine.

The rough course is thick, 31.5 hectares of fairway is not overly generous, but with three driveable par fours and three par fives reachable in two, it promises to be one of the most exciting Ryder Cup venues in history.

European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, pictured, will lead his team in Rome next week

Zach Johnson will captain the U.S. team at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club

Hole 8 – 525 yards, par 5

Players will have to hit the woods off the tee on the eighth hole to get far enough up the fairway for a good view of the water.

From there they play a medium or long iron. The conservative route is a long iron to the heart of the fairway and another medium iron around the water to the ideal pitch range.

The par 5 eighth hole challenges golfers to measure their drive with a body of water running straight through the entrance to the green

Hole 9 – 587 yards, par 5

The water on the left may not be in play from the tee, but the bunkers on the right may be.

If the real big hitters can find the fairway, they can take a shot at the green. The safe option is to stay put before entering the well-guarded green.

The par 5 ninth gives players another chance to score if they can locate a long approach shot on the green

Hole 16 – 303 yards, par 4

A great match play hole, with a green 20 meters below the tee, so accessible to all players.

In fourballs, at least one player from each group may enter the green.

For foursomes, however, you may need a layup, although it is loaded with a central fairway bunker and a channel 250 yards from the tee.

The par 4 16th is an exciting hole that puts the green well below the tee, it could be an interesting challenge in the foursomes