1. Abama Golf - the design masterpiece
Built in 2005 by Dave Thomas, this young golf course on Tenerife is certainly a masterpiece. Beautifully set, with a creek and several lakes that turn into obstacles, it offers 18 holes of interesting play with a total elevation of nearly 300 metres. Undulating and elevated greens challenge the player. The course also organises an annual pro am event in the spring.
Top tip: The signature hole is the 10th and what a beauty it is: a par 5 with a dramatic elevation change as you drive downhill past water hazards to the left and bunkers to the right, to the final dogleg.
Specification
Built 2005 // Designer Dave Thomas
Golf Professional: Mark Pursey
Type: 18 Holes // Par 72
Location: Southwest of island
Green Fees: 9 holes from 78€ // 18 holes from 123€ - 200€
Handicap Limit: 28 for men // 36 for ladies
2. Amarilla Golf & Country Club - the ocean fairway
The Amarilla course is particularly impressive, set as it is against the volcanic and fairly barren landscape of southern Tenerife. British architect Donald Steel was tasked with creating the world’s best golf course and it’s truly a joy to play, thanks to the freedom of choice in shot that each hole offers. Top tip: The signature hole is the short but spectacular Par 3 hole number 8: teeing off from one cliff, the ocean itself becomes the fairway and must be crossed to the green on the next cliff, converting the short distance into a major obstacle.Specification
Built 1989 // Designer Donald Steel
Golf Professional: Paco Cea
Type: 18 Holes // Par 71
Location: Southeast, close to airport Tenerife SUR Green Fees: 9 holes from 60€ // 18 holes from 92€ Handicap: 28 for men // 36 for ladies
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3. Buenavista Golf - the clifftop golf experience
Buenavista Golf is an 18 hole course that was designed by Severiano Ballesteros and opened in October 2003. A location in the north-west of Tenerife creates spectacular views thanks to its proximity to the Teno mountains on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. The outstanding holes are closer to the coast and players are challenged by hitting the ball along the coastline, though hopefully not into the wide blue yonder.
Top tips: Pay particular attention to the 5 holes on the coastline on windy days, as sea breezes can knock you a little off balance. Particular highlights are holes 9 and 18, which are connected by a waterfall that feeds an ornamental lake.
Specification
Built 2003 // Designer Severiano Ballesteros
Type : 18 Holes // Par 72
Highlights: Holes 9 & 18, oceanfront
Location: Northwest Tenerife
Green Fees: 9 holes from 34€ // 18 holes from 57€
4. Golf Las Américas - the water obstacle challenge
This outstanding course is situated in the heart of Playa de Las Américas, one of the most important tourist centres in the South of Tenerife, and was designed by John Jacobs. The course is noted for its excellent standards of maintenance and is widely regarded as a pure joy to play, except in windy conditions, when the water obstacles present a far more serious challenge. Golf Las Américas is a championship 18 hole par 72 course with an overall length of 6.051 meters (6.617 yards) with lakes, rivers and ravines meandering throughout the course.
Top tip: The ninth hole runs downhill with a right angle dogleg to a large elevated green, offering a good chance for a birdie even for relative newbies to the sport.
Specification
Built 1998 // Designer John Jacobs Golf Ass. Ltd
Golf professional: Marc Sabater
Type: 18 holes // Par 72
Location: South Tenerife
Green Fees: 9 holes from 34€ - 54€ // 18 holes from 58€ - 97€
Handicap: 28 for men // 36 for ladies
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5. Golf Costa Adeje - the course with character
Designed by the internationally recognised Spanish architect José Gancedo, this 27 hole course opened in 1998. Thanks to a design that takes advantage of the naturally-ocurring characteristics of the land and landmarks from its former use as a banana plantation, the course is challenging but fair. Players enjoy amazing views over to La Gomera island and large, fast greens that are challenging to read. Top tip: This is a very popular course with fast rounds, and advanced booking is essential in the main season from September to March. Holes are quite long, making this a great choice for long hitters.
Combine playing golf at this incredible course with a stay at the nearby 5 star hotel Royal Garden Villas and Spa and treat yourself to romantic holidays in South Tenerife!
Specification
Built 1998 // Designer José Gancedo
Golf Pros: José Molina, Laurent Petit, Eric Rikkers.
Course Costa Adeje: Holes 18 // Par 72
Second Course Los Lagos: Holes 9 // Par 33
Green Fee: 9 holes 35€ - 45€ // 18 holes 59€ - 96€
Handicap: 28 for men // 36 for ladies
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6. Golf del Sur - the course for precise hitters
This 27 hole project with three 9-hole courses was designed by José Gancedo and Manuel Piñero and sits on the south east coast of the island. In all playable combinations, the courses add up to Par 72. Since its opening in 1987, it has been venue for international PGA tournaments and also long-hitter Karl Woodward’s world record shot of 408 yards in 1999. The undulating course has wide fairways and elevated greens, with striking black volcanic sand bunkers and some tricky water hazards. All the courses require precise shots but the imaginative concept offers a lot of fun, beautiful views and the feeling of being in a naturally-occurring oasis thanks to preservation of natural flora and fauna around the course.
Top tip: The North Course is the most varied, and offers plenty of excitement from the "blind" first hole to the yawning out-of-bounds ravine on the edge of the 3rd and 4th holes, and a tricky water hazard that makes reaching the 7th green something of a relief.
Specification
Built 1987 // Designers José Gancedo / Manuel Piñero
Golf Professional: Francisco Millán
Main Course Campo A & C // 18 holes
Second Course Campo B // 9 holes
Location: Southeast Tenerife
Green Fees: 9 holes 35€ - 51.50€ // 18 holes 57€ - 87€
Handicap: 26.4 for men // 36.2 for ladies
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7. Real Club de Golf de Tenerife - the classic course
Tenerife’s oldest golf course is also known as El Peñon and opened in 1932. It is situated in the northwestern part of the island, on an elevation with scenic views down to the Atlantic. Its 18 holes offer a challenging 5750 yards of play with a 300m elevation, and are known for their natural obstacles and challenging complications. The highlights are probably the rather long Par 5s of the course.
Top tip: Hole 4 "El Radiador" is regarded as the most difficult, due to being out of bounds on the left and having a ravine with a lateral water hazard on the right. The best option is to play slightly to the left in order to hit a straight path to the green.
Specification
Built: 1932
Designers: Andrés Alberto, Antonio Lucena, Joaquín Laynez y Aurelio Yanes
Golf Professionals: Gabriel González, Francisco Abreu
Type: Main Course 18 holes // Par 71
Location: Northwest Tenerife
Green Fees: 18 holes 50€ - 75€
Handicap: 28 for men // 36 for ladies
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