Where to Stay and Play Golf in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is often thought of as an excellent destination for a holiday. With eight golf courses on the island, it has quickly became a popular golfing hotspot for travelling golfers and with three resorts also present within the area, there are plenty of accommodation options – with two of the complexes boasting their own golf courses.

Golf Courses on Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria offers a sublime climate that typically experiences over 300 days of sunshine every year. All eight of the courses offer something different and due to the island’s volcanic roots, the landscape presents incredible vistas of the land and the expansive sea that surrounds it.

Golf tours are also available and they provide the perfect opportunity to play an array of splendid courses for a reduced cost. Below, we provide information on all eight of the island’s golf courses.

Salobre Golf & Resort - Old Course

The Old Course at Salobre was designed by Roland Favre with the lush environment and free-flowing valleys to take the centrepiece of the picturesque design. This is a highly valued course and one that every golfer should experience if they are to book a trip to the Gran Canaria. The course was completed in 1999 and it is one of the oldest commercial layouts that lie on the island. The track has seen many professionals play its layout, having hosted the 2006 Spanish PGA and the Senior and Women’s Championships in 2001.

Salobre Golf & Resort - New Course

The New Course was constructed in 2008 and Ron Kirby is responsible for its innovative design. The course is shorter, with a par of 69, and the layout of the track has evolved dramatically during contemporary times. Ron had successfully managed to carve a golf course to fit into its volcanic rock surroundings, which makes this a challenging track if the golfer is to veer off-line even slightly. Similarly to the Old Course, the sensational panoramic views are the flagship of a round at Salobre and the numerous tees will accommodate all types of golfers.

Gran Hotel Lopesan Costa Meloneras

Another course designed by Ron Kirby, another absolute cracker. Lopesan Costa Meloneras opened in June of 2006 and it was the 6th club to open its doors in Gran Canaria where it was duly rewarded, having hosted the 2007 Spanish PGA Championship with success. This golf club is a mixture between coastal golf and incredible views that surround the entirety of the playing area. A particular highlight is the expansive Atlantic Ocean and the rocky coastline that dominate the course’s backdrop. Make no mistake, the incredible vistas are present intentionally, as the course demands excellent ball striking and the evasion of hundreds of palm trees that lie over fairways and other tricky locations. If you are seeking a photo, then it is advised to wait for the back nine – as the bordering ocean will provide the perfect setting.

Anfi Tauro Golf

Anfi Tauro Golf Club is situated in the Tauro Valley, which offers a beautiful backdrop that is set in a coastal environment. The course is maintained efficiently, and the canyons, native vegetation, waterfalls and lakes provide aesthetic supplements as you challenge this difficult track. Having opened in 2007, this course stretches over 65 hectares of land and the Arizona-style course, designed by renowned architect Robert Von Hagge, is welcoming to players of all abilities. Another masterpiece created by Robert is the Par 3 course that lies adjacent to the main 18. It is 9 holes and provides the perfect environment for the golfer to hone their short game – or prepare for a tougher challenge on the main course.

Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas

Real Club is not only the oldest golf club in the Gran Canaria, but the actual first club to be open throughout the entirety of Spain. English designer Mackenzie Ross has created this immaculate layout alongside the crater of an old volcano – which best highlights the islands volcanic origins. As you traverse the course, expect vistas of the summit, the sea and the deep ravines that weave throughout the layout. The course itself is relatively short with small greens and narrow straights. Alongside the main attraction is a practice tee, two putting greens, one pitching green, a stylish clubhouse and additional facilities such as a gym, shop and restaurant. If you’re looking to play a course with historical value, can anything triumph the oldest club in the country?

Maspalomas Golf

Maspalomas is located in the south of the island and it is one of the only places in the world that has the most sunlight hours per year. The course is flat yet long and the wide fairways will encourage hard-hitting tee shots that offer forgiveness if they veer slightly off line. The entirety of the course is surrounded by dunes, which was a feature that designer Mackenzie Ross wanted to implement. Due to its close proximity to the sea, the gentle breeze will provide a refreshing round of golf but be wary if the wind misbehaves, as you will need to adjust your thinking and approach. The club have hosted international events and also comes equipped with a practice course, putting green, pitching green, driving range, golf shop, snack bar and an on-site restaurant.

El Cortijo Club de Campo

El Cortijo is located alongside the GC-1 motorway, which is roughly six kilometres from the city of Las Palmas. This course is the longest in Spain but due to its thoughtful design, each tee box comes equipped with six tees, which will accommodate all types of golfers, regardless of ability. There are several lakes that are present throughout the layout, which will demand intelligent thinking and thoughtful placement of the ball. Co-designed by Blake Stirling and Marco Martin, the duo have worked together extensively and have accumulated an impressive resume. The course hosted the Canarias Open de Espana in 2002, which saw Sergio Garcia triumph and Rafael Cabrera-Bello finishing 4th and the best amateur of the tournament.

Gran Canaria Golf Resorts

While the golfing facilities at Gran Canaria will rightfully take the spotlight, the resorts within the area offer a relaxing environment from days away from the course or after the golfing adventures. All of the complexes are situated conveniently to tourist hotspots and the in-house entertainment will keep your party happy throughout the trip.

Two of the resorts also offer their own dedicated golf course(s) with visitors gaining priority booking and free transport can be arranged to and from the resort’s owned courses.

Salobre Resort & Serenity

Salobre Resort & Serenity is comfortably the most luxurious resort on the island of Gran Canaria – it is also the only resort with two golf courses at its disposal. Away from the historic and beautiful Old and New courses lie an alluring 5* resort with relaxation as its theme. There are hundreds of rooms available and whatever style you desire, Salobre will happily meet your requests. Some of the generous rooms come with sweeping views of natural landscapes and the golf courses that lie near its premises. Away from the golf and there is an array of sporting activities to choose from, including: basketball, football, yoga, running and cycling. There are six restaurants attached to the complex and they all serve different cuisines, resulting in varied eating options every single night of your stay.

Seaside Sandy Beach

Seaside Sandy Beach is a wonderful alternative to Salobre, and the 4* rooms highlight the premium and luxurious theme of the Gran Canaria. There are several swimming pools to choose from – including a children’s and babies’ learning pool. Based in Playa del Ingles, this district of the island is lively and guests can expect to have endless options of evening entertainment right on their doorstep. All of the suites come equipped with free Wi-Fi, satellite television, air conditioning and a telephone, while there are over 200 rooms available. Attached to the hotel is a luxury spa, where the team are waiting to pamper visitors and prepare them for an afternoon of bliss. There are numerous eating options available on site, with the terrace restaurant providing a wonderfully romantic setting.

Costa Meloneras

The exterior and setting of Costa Meloneras will leave you breathless, as you enter the doors of this grand palace. There are over 2,000 palm trees lining the premises, which never fails to emulate an oasis in the middle of the desert. The hotel is 4* and it is situated conveniently, right on the seafront promenade, with only a brisk walk to the beach. The Om Spa will provide an alternative afternoon of leisure, where various treatment methods are available and have been designed for the guest to completely unwind and leave life’s problems firmly at the door. The hotel also offers a free shuttle service to Meloneras golf course, which is situated just 0.9 miles away from the premises.

Golf Guide to Gran Canaria