Tenerife is one of Europe’s top golfing destinations and for very good reason. The courses are dramatic and challenging and the climate is ideal all year round.
As for non-golfers in your party, Tenerife has no end of alternative activities to keep them busy.
Ever since its 1987 inaugural event, a competition for professionals, the 27 greens and fairways of Golf del Sur on Tenerife have provided the backdrop for various top international tournaments. In 1989 they bore witness to José Maria Olazábal’s victory in the Open de Tenerife, a feat he repeated in 1992. The following year they watched as David Gilford won the event, as did Mark James in ’94. In 1995, Golf del Sur (Tenerife) hosted the Shell Wonderful World of Golf tournament and its head-to-head battle between Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson.
The North and South combination, a par 72 with 5,870 metres in length, is the professional’s route. It is flat and in typical American style has wide fairways and imposing bunkers which are strategically placed to protect the raised greens. Birdies must be earned, so precision play is the order of the day.
This is a test of accuracy and course management rather than length. The 3rd hole of the North course is outstanding. Its wide fairway is bordered to the right by water which protects the golfer from what is known as “malpaís” or bad country, and from an incredible white rock ravine.
The aridity of the desert combined with lush greens and fairways are united by an immense, black-sanded bunker stretching the length of the fairway to the left. It is a formidable test. The Links course presents fewer difficulties and less experienced golfers may feel more at home there but precision is still required. Here the par three (137 metres) ninth hole stands out. The sandy rough to the left of the fairway planted with palm trees suggests a distinctly tropical air.
The club also has a golf school,excellent practice facilities, tennis, bowls, a bar and restaurant, pro shop and tennis courts, and there is a wide choice of accommodation available nearby. Reina Sofía international airport is just two kilometres away.
This Donald Steel design lies in Southern Tenerife and is bordered by cliffs with spectacular views. While it is a stern test for professional golfers those whose ability is not so proficient won’t find themselves out of their depth. It was opened in 1988 and in 1990 hosted the second edition of the Tenerife Open subsequently won by Argentine Vicente Fernandez, which officially gave the course the European PGA Tour’s seal of approval.
From the clubhouse the first four holes run along the cliff, the short 5th to the 7th pick up the ocean bay, and the following three holes change direction before going down to the edge of the sea. The 14th and 15th turn back inland and the last three holes wind down avenues formed by trees and houses.
The seventeenth runs parallel to the neighbouring Golf del Sur South Course and Amarilla finishes with a par 5 flourish at the clubhouse which includes tennis courts, a swimming pool, bar and restaurant.
There is an excellent practice area with pro shop, offering golf classes, whilst horse riding is also available.
Open in 1997, Golf Las Américas is adjacent to Playa de Las Américas and Los Cristianos, the lively tourist resorts which have some of the best beaches in Tenerife. The 18-hole golf course is attractively located in a natural, gently sloping amphitheatre with views towards Playa de las Américas and the sea. It is protected from the wind by the range of hills which rise up nearby. The course is pleasant to walk, has a par of 72 and a total length of 6,039 metres.
One of the most notable features are the streams-ravines which cross the layout and the remains of curious aboriginal cabins alongside the par four 2nd hole. Water comes into play on the first, second, third, fifth, twelfth, thirteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth holes. The thirteenth a par three has a peninsular green surrounded on three sides by water. The par five sixteenth follows a slight dogleg right offering a sea view behind the slightly raised green.
The clubhouse is located next to the practice area and looks out on tees 1 and 10 and the greens of holes 9 and 18. There is also a golf school, equipment hire, pro shop, restaurant, bar, etc.
Home of the Spanish Open in 2004 and the Tenerife Ladies Open in 2005 Golf Costa Adeje offers a lovely mix of challenging golf and lovely views of the sea and the mountains.
The first of the 18 holes opened in 1998. It is par 72 and whilst the fairways are open, they are also lined with the famous Tenerife black sand so a straight drive is a must!
One unique aspect of the course is that due to the low rainfall, every tree or plant has its own irrigation system. Golf Costa Adeje also has its own 9 hole par 34 course. A bit shorter than the main course but probably a bit more technical, it has 6 lakes making it a challenging yet enjoyable experience for those who may not fancy the full 18 holes.
