Why golf in Gran Canaria?

With 320 days of sunshine every year, beautiful scenery and eight golf courses, Gran Canaria is a superb golf destination. It's one of the few places in Europe where you can play without mittens during the winter and is perfect for golfers with families who prefer blue pools to greens. 

Read our guide to why Gran Canaria is such an underrated golf destination. 

Maspalomas Golf 

The 18-hole Par-73 Maspalomas golf course, between the Campo Internacional Resort and the sand dunes, is the second oldest on the island; it opened back in 1968.

It's a flat course with wide fairways and is a great spot for a convenient, relaxing round of golf. It isn't as challenging as the newer courses, but the location right by the Maspalomas dunes and the fairways lined with palms make it a pleasure to play.

Maspalomas Golf, designed by Mackenzie Ross, has a driving range, pro-shop, and a putting green. 

Anfi Tauro Golf

The 18-hole Anfi Tauro Golf course opened in 2006 and was designed by Von Hagge, Smelek & Baril. It's an Arizona-style course set in a dry valley and it's and original and challenging course with features like lakes, stone walls, and rough areas that are literally made of rock. The sea breeze makes every round different and the setting is great fun.

Meloneras Golf

This 18-hole, par-71 course is right by the sea overlooking Pasito Blanco marina and has a fantastic, tropical atmosphere with exotic palms lining the fairways. The Meloneras Golf course, designed by Ron Kirby, gets harder as you work your way through the holes and nine of the fairways have ocean views. 

This is a tough course for beginners but the setting makes it unmissable.

Salobre Golf (Old Course)

The Salobre Golf & Resort has not one but two 18-hole courses. The original par-71 course, known as the Old Course, opened in 1999 and was designed by Roland Faure. It's a traditional course suitable for players of all levels. The palm-fringed fairways vary hugely in length and approach tiered greens. Watch out for the tee shot at the 14th which is over a ravine.  

Salobre Golf (New Course)

Opened in 2008 and designed by Ron Kirby, the 'New' 18-hole, par-71 course at Salobre Golf & Resort is tricky and almost reminiscent of a links course thanks to its natural setting. It's a short course with lots of doglegs, hanging fairways and changes in level and is a fun challenge for golfers of all levels. 

 Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas

The Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas is the oldest golf club in Spain and was founded back in 1891 by British and local golfers. It was originally located on a links course close to what is today the centre of Las Palmas city but is now at Bandama just 15 minutes drive from the capital. 

The location is spectacular as the course is on a plateau between valleys lined with vineyards and is right next to the spectacular Bandama Caldera. 

The course was designed by Mackenzie Ross and is 18 holes and a par 71. It's open to visitors Monday to Friday and you need to book in advance. 

Unlike the island's other courses, this one is close to the island's capital. It even hs its own golf hotel located right by the first hole. 

The course itself is moderately challenging with height changes, some tricky bunkers. As an old course, it is short with narrow fairways and small greens. 

El Cortijo Club de Campo

One of the longest courses in Spain with six tees per hole and six lakes, the El Cortijo Club de Campo course is six kilometres south of Las Palmas city and is located on old farmland in a palm-fringed valley. It's 18 holes, a par 72, were designed by Blake Stirling y Marco Martín and have fast greens. 

User reviews largely seem to agree that the course layout is excellent nd the course suitable for all levels although there are plenty of comments about the poor state of the fairways and the surroundings. 

Las Palmeras Golf

This 18-hole, par-3 course is really a big pitch & putt rather than a small golf course. It's conveniently located right in Las Palmas city and has a large putting green and chipping area with bunkers.