If you’ve had a long, dull winter pinging balls down the driving range, or staring wistfully out of the golf club window, then it’s time to get yourself abroad for some golf in some sunnier climes.
There are plenty of options out there across Europe and beyond, and one of our favourite choices is Tenerife. Not only does it stand out for the quality of its courses and for activities away from golf, but it’s also one of the most affordable destinations to play golf abroad, especially during the winter months.
This guide tells you everything you need to know about golf holidays in Tenerife, including why it’s such a standout destination and our picks of the top courses on this spectacular Canary Island.
Why are golf holidays in Tenerife so popular?
There is so much to like about Tenerife golf holidays. For a start, the weather is great all year round: even in the winter months of January and February, it’s unusual for the daytime high temperature to drop below 20 degrees Celsius. This gives you as close as you’ll get to guaranteed good golfing weather, which is essential if you’re travelling to keep your skill levels up and keep your handicap down.
Of course, Tenerife is more commonly known as a very popular destination among British holidaymakers, and if you’re travelling with non-golfing friends or family, then this definitely works in your favour. Most of the major courses in Tenerife are located on the west of the island, within easy driving distance of the biggest tourist resorts like Playa de las Americas and Costa Adeje. That means there are plenty of bars, restaurants and activities for your companions to enjoy during the day – and for you to enjoy in the evenings!
The other key selling point is affordability. Accommodation is plentiful in Tenerife, and normally available at good rates if you travel outside of the school holidays. Additionally, most of the major budget airlines run flights there on a regular basis all year round, from all the UK’s major airports (flight time is normally around four hours). So, if you want to take a golf trip abroad but your budget won’t stretch to five-star luxury, Tenerife represents a great way to broaden your golf horizons without breaking the bank.
Our favourite courses for Tenerife golf holidays
The relatively compact nature of the Tenerife golf holidays scene makes it extremely easy to play a different course each day and travel out from the same accommodation. Here, we’ve picked out four of our favourites that we recommend:
Golf del Sur
Thanks to the Mount Teide volcano (one of the world’s tallest) that dominates Tenerife, many of the beaches on the island are famous for its black volcanic sand. And it’s that sand that is used in the bunkers at Golf del Sur, making for a course with a unique look. The course winds its way through the countryside, with a number of trees and water hazards to focus the mind, and plenty of variation from one hole to the next. It’s definitely a course that demands accuracy and finesse in order to post a top score.
Golf Las Americas
As the name suggests, this is one of the closest courses to the Playa de las Americas resort. And it’s very much designed with a day out in mind, thanks to the presence of a range of amenities, such as a clubhouse, chipping and putting greens, and a driving range. You’re also able to hire clubs for a round, which may work out cheaper than taking your own on flights if you really want to keep costs to a minimum. The course itself is full of water hazards like streams and lakes, which will readily punish sloppy or misplaced shots, but the surrounding scenery makes it an immensely rewarding course to get right.
Buenavista Golf Club
If you head further north from the tourist resorts, you’ll find Buenavista Golf Club, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2023. Its position next to the Atlantic coastline means it benefits from some of the most jaw-dropping views of any golf course in Tenerife, making it well worth the journey further afield. Many of its greens are close to the cliffsides, which not only allows you to make the most of the view out towards Isla Baja but, can often also pose an additional challenge through sea breezes affecting your shots.
Golf Costa Adeje
If you’re looking for a course that’s more suitable for groups or for less experienced golfers, then Golf Costa Adeje should be your first port of call. It’s a 27-hole complex that features a full-length Championship Course, as well as a more accessible nine-hole course. Both courses strike the right balance of challenging lower-handicap players without being too frustrating for newcomers. Its facilities are among the best of any golf course in Tenerife, and its location close to one of the premier tourist resorts on the island makes it easy to get to. Keep an eye out for views of the island of La Gomera on your way round.
Get golf insurance with SportsCover Direct
Whether you’re planning a golf holiday in Tenerife, or anywhere else further afield, having comprehensive insurance cover in place is absolutely essential. That’s because you never know what might happen: you might get hurt while out on the course, you might injure someone else, your travel arrangements could be disrupted, or your luggage (including your clubs) could be lost, stolen or damaged.
SportsCover Direct’s golf insurance policies are designed to financially protect you against all of these unforeseen events, and we’ve been insuring golfers of all abilities for more than 25 years. Our cover is available from just a few pounds a month, making it a tiny expense in the context of a golf holiday, but it’ll give you much-needed peace of mind so you can focus on your game (and your tan!).
Learn more about everything our golf travel insurance policies have to offer.