Golf enthusiasts and amateur players alike will find plenty of challenging courses when they visit Gran Canaria, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands. With its year-round temperate climate, lush green landscapes, and stunning ocean views, it’s no wonder why so many people love to play golf in this beautiful corner of the world. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing round or an exciting challenge, Gran Canaria has some of the best golf courses in Spain. Here are 9 of the best golf courses in Gran Canaria to choose from in 2023
Anfi Tauro Golf
Anfi Tauro Golf is a true gem for golf enthusiasts, offering a stunning oasis in Gran Canaria. The year-round mild climate and the breathtaking landscape of palm trees, lakes and volcanic mountains create the perfect ambiance for indulging in a round of golf. The nine-hole and 18-hole courses are set amidst a spectacular landscape designed by von Hagge, Smelek and Baril, world-renowned for their impeccable golf course designs.
Anfi Tauro Golf offers the perfect balance between beauty and challenge. The architects behind this distinguished golf course are recognized as being among the world’s top 10 golf-course architects. With over a thousand golf courses under their belts, including the renowned Doral Country Club in Florida, Costa Resort and Spa in California and the Horai Club in Japan, their projects stand out for their exquisite style, subtlety and outstanding beauty – with Anfi Tauro being a shining example.
Address: Valle de Tauro, s/n, 35138, Las Palmas, Spain
Lopesan Meloneras Golf
Located in the southern part of Gran Canaria, the Lopesan Meloneras Golf is a premier destination for golf lovers who want to play on an exceptional course with gorgeous views. Nestled in the exclusive tourist zone of Costa Meloneras, this golf course boasts stunning lakes and palm trees, as well as a rocky backdrop that provides a unique experience for golfers.
With an 18-hole course set against a mountainous landscape, the Lopesan Meloneras Golf is renowned for its challenging layout, which features nine holes with spectacular sea views, three of which are located on the coast. The course has everything a golfer would need, including a putting green, pitching green, chipping green, driving range, and a practice bunker. Golf lovers of all skill levels will find this course attractive, thanks to the multiple tee boxes on each hole. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, the Lopesan Meloneras Golf has something for everyone.
Address: Carretera, GC-500, S/N, 35100 Maspalomas, Las Palmas, Spain
Salobre Golf Resort Gran Canaria
Salobre Golf Resort stands out as the premier golf destination in the Canary Islands, boasting two impressive 18-hole courses, the Salobre Old Course and the Brackish New Course.
The Salobre New Course, designed by Ron Kirby, is a stunning addition to the Salobre Golf Resort south of Gran Canaria. Many golfers consider Hole 5 the star of the show, the epitome of what the New Course represents. As you approach this hole, you can’t help but feel the excitement building. The Dogleg to the right and the scenic volcanic rock canyon create a challenge that captures the area’s natural beauty. A well-placed drive lands on a wide fairway, but the second shot with a medium-long iron truly tests the player’s skill. The narrow and well-protected green requires precision and a bit of luck to achieve par or better.
The New Course complements the Salobre Old Course, offering a constant challenge for golfers of all levels. One of the course’s most talked-about features is the quality of the greens, which many consider the best on the island. Designed by Roland Favré, the Salobre Old Course also offers breathtaking views of the sea and mountains, making it an unforgettable golf experience.
Address: Urbanización Salobre Golf, GC 1 km 53, 35100 Maspalomas, Las Palmas, Spain
Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas
Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas is a golf course that offers golf enthusiasts a varied and fun experience. Mackenzie Ross designed this 18-hole par 71 course with narrow fairways, well-protected greens, and many bunkers, making it challenging yet exciting to play.
The flora surrounding the course, such as mimosas, Canary Island pine, and palm trees, give it a typical Canary Island feel. Play in the backdrop of the volcano’s crater, adding to the course’s beauty. The club also offers group and summer courses besides individual or personalized golf classes, making it the perfect destination for young Canaries to embark on their golf journeys. Play at this scenic and challenging course repeatedly, and every round offers a completely different playing situation – making it an ideal pick for golf enthusiasts.
Address: Ctra. Bandama, 35310 Sta Brígida, Las Palmas, Spain
Las Palmeras Golf
Las Palmeras Golf offers a unique and exciting opportunity for golf enthusiasts. This well-established course boasts a par-3 layout with 18 holes ranging from 40 to 150 meters, set amidst beautiful landscaping and offering spectacular views of Las Canteras beach and the Atlantic Ocean.
With two distinct layouts, players of any level can enjoy the course. The first nine holes are designed with British physiognomy, while the second nine share the features of American courses. Valued by the Royal Spanish Golf Federation as a pitch and putt, Las Palmeras Golf is an urban course and the first of its kind. Additionally, the course offers a laminated wood driving range with ample space for practice and training. For all golf enthusiasts, Las Palmeras Golf is a must-visit destination.
Address: Calle Dr. Alfonso Chiscano Díaz, s/n, 35019 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
Maspalomas Golf
Designed by Mackenzie Ross, Maspalomas Golf is in a stunning location surrounded by the Maspalomas Dunes Nature Reserve, boasting over 400 hectares of protected natural beauty. The course design has been influenced by its surroundings, resulting in long, flat fairways with a gentle breeze carrying in from the nearby ocean.
The breathtaking seascape and palm grove views create an unforgettable golfing experience. The course offers 18 holes at par 73 and a distance of 6398 meters and has played host to major international events such as the European Tour. Additionally, Maspalomas Golf provides essential amenities such as professional instructors, car rentals, and a Proshop with the necessary equipment, making it a professional and enjoyable destination for avid golfers.
Address: Av. Touroperador Neckermann, s/n, 35100 Maspalomas, Las Palmas, Spain
Campo del Golf de Maspalomas
While Costa Teguise Golf Club’s course may date back to the late 1970s, it’s certainly a course that’s stood the test of time. John Harris designed the holes fan out from the clubhouse in two distinct nines, providing golfers with a feeling of seclusion while playing among the more than three thousand palm trees lining the fairways. And at a staggering 6476 meters from the rear tees, this is a championship-length course with a slope rating that sets it apart.
Costa Teguise offers challenging gameplay, unlike the resort-style course one might expect while on vacation. With highlight holes like the par five 3rd, the uphill par three 6th, and the par four 14th, which features an enormous bunker at the bend in the fairway, there’s no shortage of opportunities to test golfing skills. However, for those who still crave that resort-style playing experience, The Las Americas golf course is just a stone’s throw away.
Address: Avenida del Golf, s/n 35508, Costa Teguise, Las Palmas, Spain
Buenavista Golf Course
Although there are many great golf courses in Tenerife, the Buenavista golf course is a standout. Designed by Seve Ballesteros and opened in 2003, golfers are in for a treat as the course is laid out on cliff tops overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in the northwest of Tenerife, just outside the small town of Buenavista del Norte in the Daute Isla Baja region. The recommended route to the course is via the small town of El Tanque, but you should hang a left at Santiago del Tiede and take the narrow, twisting mountain road through Masca.
For those looking for a challenge, Buenavista has a unique layout comprising six par threes, six par fours and six par five holes. The fairways are fairly forgiving but stray too far into the lateral waste areas, and thick vegetation and rocks will hamper any attempt at retrieving a stray ball. However, sand-based putting surfaces around the greens are very receptive to holding approach shots, and bunkers are generally wide and shallow, allowing a fair number of “sand saves” to be made. If you want to play more golf courses in Tenerife, don’t miss out on The Las Americas golf course, another stunning option.
Address: Calle Vista La Monja, s/n, 38480 Buenavista, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
Las Americas Golf Course
The Las Americas golf course is a picturesque haven for any golfer seeking a scenic experience. Despite being surrounded by both apartments and villas, the 18-hole property is expertly designed so as not to infringe upon the sight lines of the course. The landscape gently slopes towards the coast, providing some enjoyable elevation changes, particularly on the outward nine holes.
Measuring a relatively modest 6607 yards, the course is arranged in two returning loops of nine holes, with a standard configuration of five par fours, two par threes, and two par fives on each nine. Water hazards are in play at several holes but never to the extent that they dominate the game. Some golfers’ favorite stretch on the front nine includes the right doglegged 2nd, the 3rd with a creek running in front of the green, the short uphill par four 4th, and the intimidating par three 5th.
On the inward half, the 13th hole is a potential disaster waiting to happen, with its putting surface surrounded on three sides by water. The Las Americas golf course is a must-see for golf lovers everywhere.
Address: Calle Dr. Alfonso Chiscano Díaz, s/n, 35019 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain
Conclusion
Golfers in Spain have many excellent courses to choose from, ranging from urban pitch and putt courses to championship-length golfing estates designed by some of the finest golf course architects on the planet. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely round or an intense challenge, there is a course that will suit your needs. Las Palmeras Golf, Maspalomas Golf, Campo del Golf de Maspalomas, Buenavista Golf Course and Las Americas Golf Course are all excellent examples of the kind of courses you can experience on your next holiday. So grab your clubs, book a flight to Spain, and enjoy some truly world-class golfing.
