Adventure #34: Fore! Golfing in Tenerife
If you’re a golfer, what could be better than feeling the warmth of the sun as you tee up on a terraced hillside that was once a banana plantation, gazing out over a sparkling sea, with mountains rising majestically all around you? On Tenerife, you might say that’s, well, par for the course. Nine idyllic, high-quality golf courses dot the island, offering a variety of terrains, conditions, and challenges to suit golfers at all levels of skill.
Best of all, you can experience this abundance without having to travel far. And a mild climate means you can enjoy the sport year-round! Here’s an overview of the golf courses you can enjoy during your stay on Tenerife:
North Coast
Buenavista Golf. Designed by legendary Spanish golf pro Severiano Ballesteros, this 18-hole, par-72 course opened in 2003 on the northwest coast of Tenerife, overlooking the sea. As you’re playing, try not to be distracted by the view!
Real Club de Golf de Tenerife. Rising nearly 1,970 feet above sea level, this 18-hole, par-71 course is distinguished by its spectacular views of Mount Teide. Stroll beneath the shade of the Canarian pine trees, bay trees, and eucalyptus that line the fairways, and take in views of Mount Teide as you enjoy this second-oldest club in Spain.
Club de Golf la Rosaleda. Ideal for the novice golfer, this tranquil 9-hole, par-27 course is located just minutes from the city center of Puerto de la Cruz and offers lovely views of Mount Teide and the Orotava Valley.
South Coast
Abama Golf. Enjoy views of the Atlantic sweeping out to the island of La Gomera from this 18-hole, par-72 course, which rises from 256 to 1,033 feet above sea level! Acclaimed as one of the finest designs of Dave Thomas, who has also designed Ryder Cup and European Tour venues, the course is beautifully landscaped with more than 25,000 palm trees, white-sand bunkers, and dozens of lakes connected by waterfalls.
Golf Costa Adeje. Home of the 1999 BMW Golf Cup International World Final, the 2003 Spanish Open, and other tournaments, the Golf Costa Adeje is an 18-hole, par-72 championship course with large greens and restored stone walls that once bounded banana plantations. Los Lagos, a 9-hole, par-33 course, is situated next to the practice drive and features sea views.
Golf las Américas. Located in the heart of the Playa de las Américas resort, Golf las Américas is an 18-hole, par-72 course that has seen a number of important Spanish championship tournaments. Protected from the wind by surrounding hills, the course offers stunning sea views and is crisscrossed by streams, ravines, and lakes — including the challenge of water hazards on eight holes.
Centro de Golf los Palos (Los Palos Golf Center). Just five minutes away from the Playa de las Américas lies the Centro de Golf los Palos, a 9-hole, par-27 course. Surrounded by a picturesque drapery of banana trees, it features a PGA professional driving range, chipping area, and putting green, as well as a relaxing ambiance.
Amarilla Golf. Imaginatively designed by Donald Steel in a spectacular setting between Mount Teide and the Atlantic, this 18-hole, par-72 course is one of the finest on Tenerife. Enjoy views of San Miguel Marina from the 12th tee — but even more notable is the 5th hole, where you must hit the ball over the sea to reach the green!
Golf de Sur. Set between Las Cañadas national park and the Atlantic, this 27-hole course consists of three 9-hole loops, playable in any combination. The Links course and North course are par 70; the South course is par 73. The course has hosted several international PGA tournaments and is the site of two golf driving distance records, both set by Britain's Karl Woodward.
And even if you’re not the golfer in your traveling party, this might also be the course you want to visit: Playa de El Médano, one of the best beaches on Tenerife, is right nearby!
