With a year-round daily temperature of 73 degrees, it's very tempting to escape the British winter and enjoy a variety of golf courses and activities on Tenerife.
Tenerife is the largest of the seven Canary Islands and the majority of its 8 golf courses have congregated along the south-west coastline near the resort towns of Playa de las Americas, Los Cristianos and the more upmarket Costa Adeje.
Costa Adeje also has the pick of the best beaches amongst Tenerife’s southern resorts and the newly refurbished Iberostar Grand Hotel Anthelia boasts a prime seafront location with direct access to two great beaches, Fanabe and El Duque, which are ideal for water sports enthusiasts, and the long promenade is perfect for a leisurely stroll to seek out alternative entertainment.
The hotel provides transport to take golfers to and from five local golf courses, the nearest being Costa Adeje. This course has been carved beautifully in the foothills of Mount Teide, Spain’s highest mountain, and offers fantastic views of the Adeje mountain range and the island of La Gomera. Its layout is demanding as well as interesting with unique lava-black bunkers and partially hidden dry-stone-walled terraces that cross many fairways. The driving range is as impressive as the colonial-style clubhouse. It is built on three levels and there is even a lift for buggies.
In the heart of the main tourist area of Playa de las Americas and Los Christianos is Golf Las Americas, a course set within a natural, gently sloping amphitheatre with holes running between multiple lakes and lush vegetation. The numerous water hazards are a trademark of this John Jacobs-designed course so if water causes you a problem, a good supply of golf balls is advisable!
Golf del Sur is a collection of 4-star hotels, timeshare and residential accommodation and it is the black volcanic sand in the bunkers on the 27-hole course that draws the most attention. It also features a wide range of trees, plants and wildlife and skirts along protected San Blas Ravine, a popular walk for hikers and bird watchers.
Next door to Golf del Sur with fairways almost touching is Amarilla Golf & Country Club. There are plenty of elevation changes on this Donald Steel creation and it features some truly spectacular holes including the par-3 5th that requires a tee shot to be struck over the sea to reach the green. If that’s not enough excitement for one day, at the bottom of Amarilla Golf is the San Miguel Marina and from here you can take a submarine tour to watch fish, turtles and other sea life.
If you are pressed for time, then the 9-hole course at Golf Los Palos is ideal, although don’t underestimate this shorter track that meanders through banana plantations as it presents plenty of challenges. Instruction facilities at Los Palos are a strong point so it is a suitable venue for beginners.
Depending on the type of holiday you are looking for, Tenerife has something for everyone so it’s worth considering this island in the sun.
HOW TO GET THERE
Ryanair (www.ryanair.com), Easyjet (www.easyjet.com), Thomson (www.thomsonfly.com) and Monarch (www.monarch.co.uk) offer flights to Tenerife South from many major UK airports. Approximate flying time is 4 hours.
WHERE TO STAY
IBEROSTAR Grand Hotel Anthelia - See website for special offers - www.grandhotelanthelia.com
Further information visit: www.webtenerife.com
