Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

Tenerife Golf – the fairway ends at the Atlantic

Longing for a temperate climate in which to play golf all year round then Tenerife could be just the destination. The dominant island in the Canaries, step beyond the tourist hotspots and Tenerife is an island of extraordinary beauty and diversity, with remote mountain-ridge villages, cultured port settlements and charming ancient towns. A rich and varied range of landscapes and vegetation from imposing cliffs hundreds of meters high, to deserts, and the lush forest.  A memorable landscape that enticed and challenged golfing greats, the likes of Seve Ballesteros and Dave Thomas, to create their vision of the perfect golf course. 

Why play golf here? The climate for one, with warm winters, gentle bright summer days and an average annual temperate of 23c. Secondly, the quality and diversity of the golf courses is undeniable. One day you are playing a course 700m high and the next you are on the coast, at the foot of the cliffs or on sandy or rocky coves. The Atlantic Ocean is an ever-present vision on most of Tenerife’s courses, providing a specular backdrop and amazing views, to infinity and beyond!

The long list of golfing greats who have imposed their will on the landscape to create world class golf courses ensures frequent demand nationally and internationally as a venue for prestigious golfing tournaments. Most recently Golf Costa Adeje hosted the Tenerife Open 2021 and the Canary Islands Championship 2021, which were won by South Africans, Dean Burmester and Garrick Higgo respectively.

What can we offer? Nine challenging golf courses with nine unique experiences

Abama Golf - A genuine work of art by Dave Thomas, this is a modern European course designed to use the terrain to challenge the player with dramatic use of elevation and water.  Against the backdrop of the deep blue of the Atlantic Ocean and the island of Gomera beyond, 22 Lakes are strategically placed around the course, and with a reputed thousand palm trees, this course offer’s some stunning signature holes.  If this alone wasn’t enough, the course is kept in immaculate condition with velvet greens and lush fairways. Located in the area of Guia de Isora, West Tenerife.

Amarilla Golf - Not quite as well known or prestigious as the Abama, the Amarilla offers no frills challenges that are not to be underestimated. Designed by Donald Steel, the 5th hole, one of the more spectacular you might find on any course, where the sea becomes your fairway as you drive over the waves onto the raised green. The course is attractively lined with lush vegetation, with the ever-present backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, and inland imposing views of Mount Teide.

Buenavista Golf - Located in the north of Tenerife, a little out of the way but well worth the visit. Laid out along the stunning coastline in the shadow of striking cliffs and flanked by the impressive Teno Country Park, this Seve Ballesteros designed course is as he described quite ‘unique’. Whilst the fairways are generally wide and the greens inviting, it is the proximity to the ocean that adds a rare dimension to this course, and on several of the holes it feels like you are playing the ocean as much as the course. Of particularly note are the two par threes (15th and 17th holes) both teetering on the cliff edge.  Post round the lovely Club House has superb panoramic views of the entire course where you can marvel at the vision Ballesteros had to place a course in such a dramatic location.

Golf Costa Adeje - Pepe Gancedo, often called the ‘Picasso’ of golf, has shown his design flair by incorporating the landscape to interesting effect on this course.  The old farm terraces that slope down to the ocean, with their original dry stonewalls cross the fairways at times to create natural hazards, which with several gorges and lakes create a satisfyingly challenging golf experience.  With really beautiful views of the ocean, the island of La Gomera and the rugged Adeje Mountains, this unique golf course features 27 holes unusually configured with equal number of par 3, par 4 and par 5’s.

Golf del Sur - Another of Gancedo’s masterpieces, this course has been more recently updated by Manuel Piñero. The original layout worked with and enhanced all the natural protected areas that surround the 27 holes, ravine’s and lava rock create danger and excitement, and black bunker sand contrast with the verdant greens, indigenous flowers; cacti, palm trees and other large colourful plants that line the fairways.

Golf Las Américas - Designed by John Jacobs this 18-hole course is situated in the center of Playa de Las Américas, one of the most famous holiday areas in the south of the island. Located in a natural amphitheater with superb views of the ocean and the island of La Gomera. The par 3 13th provides quite a memorable challenge with the green appearing as if an island surrounded by water.  

Golf Los Palos This 9-hole, par 27 golf course is set in luxuriant, colorful landscape. Virtually flat the main obstacles are the lakes and streams, it's perfect for beginners or for improving your short game. Designed by Integral Golf Design, José María Olazábal's company, it boasts a lovely terrace overlooking the entire golf course.

Real Club de Golf de Tenerife - Founded in 1932, this is one of the oldest golf clubs in Spain and still preserves a typically British air of distinction. Situated at 600m above sea level, the 18-hole course has undulating fairways that ascend with a spectacular view of Teide. The dry streambeds play a part in several holes. The first five holes all play uphill away for the clubhouse, but what goes up must come down, the closing holes are worth the earlier climb. The 4th hole is one of the most difficult where precision play is important, especially on the shot to the green, as you have out of bounds on the left and right.

Tecina Golf - In La Gomera, just a 40-minute ferry ride from Tenerife, Donald Steel designed a striking 18-hole course perched on a cliff with impressive views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Mount Teide. The course is unique in its design, as the 1st hole is over 100m higher than the 18th hole and clubhouse, as you descend; the holes traverse across the downward slope. The native vegetation on the upper areas becomes more and more exuberant as the course slopes down to the sea until it reaches a beauty spot full of tropical fruit trees. From 2009 until 2019 the Fred Olsen Challenge de España and the Alps Tour, both tournaments that belong to the European satellite circuit, have been contested at Tecina Golf.

Where to Stay - Like the sound of the golf courses but not sure that Tenerife is for you?

Whilst Tenerife is well known as a beach holiday destination island it has been quietly maturing into one of Europe’s most exciting destinations with extraordinary experiences to offer from whale-watching, star-gazing in Teide National Park, sporting activities and some of the world’s best hotels, restaurants, bars and spas. 

Golf packages can be built around your choice of hotel, and top of our list for those looking for the ultimate 5-star experience are; Hotel Las Madrigueras, Hotel Suite Villa Maria, Melia Hacienda del Conde Golf & Spa, Las Terrazas de Abama, Royal Hideaway Corales or Ritz-Carlton Abama. If you want to be in the hub of the nightlight Hotel Jardin Tropical, Hotel Sheraton La Caleta or the Iberostar Anthelia Hotel are good options. Looking for a completely different experience, why not Hotel Jardin Tecina on the island La Gomera, where you can chill out and recharge your batteries on this small island off the coast of Tenerife.