While in much of Europe the season stops, in Tenerife you can play golf all year. With several courses on a single island, a mild climate even in winter and just a few hours’ flight from the continent, it has become one of the favourite destinations for a golf holiday when it is cold elsewhere. Here are the courses, when to play and how to organise it.
Why Tenerife for golf
The main reason is the climate: temperatures around 20 °C even in January and February and a yearly average of about 23 °C make the island perfect for playing off-season, when the courses of northern Europe are closed. Add to this the variety — championship-level courses alongside more affordable layouts — and the convenience: most courses are in the south, close to the airports and the resorts.
To understand the climate month by month and choose the best time, the guide on when to visit Tenerife is useful.
The best-known courses
Tenerife offers several golf courses — from 18-hole layouts to smaller courses and pitch and putt — concentrated mostly in the south, with one spectacular course in the north-west:
| Course | Area | Profile |
| Abama | South-west | Premium, championship level |
| Buenavista Golf | North-west | Spectacular over the ocean (Seve Ballesteros design) |
| Golf Costa Adeje | South | Handy from the southern resorts |
| Golf Las Américas | South | Central and easy to reach |
| Golf del Sur | South, near the airport | 27 holes, generally more affordable price range |
| Amarilla Golf | South, near the airport | Ocean-front holes |
Abama is one of Tenerife’s best-known premium layouts; Buenavista, in the north, offers holes overlooking the sea; while the southern courses such as Golf del Sur and Amarilla combine good quality with a generally more affordable price range.
Where the courses are concentrated
Most courses are in the south, convenient because they are close to Tenerife South airport (TFS) and the main resorts: from here you reach Golf del Sur, Amarilla, Las Américas and Costa Adeje in a few minutes. The exceptions are Abama, in the south-west, and above all Buenavista, in the north-west, which is worth the trip for the scenery. To move between courses and hotels freely, take a look at the guide on car hire in Tenerife.
When to play
You can play all year, but the peak golf season is winter (roughly November to March), when the island becomes the refuge of those arriving from northern Europe. In those months it is wise to book tee times in advance. In summer it is hotter: early-morning starts are better. Remember that on the island the wind can affect play, especially in some coastal areas.
For what level
The offer covers all levels: from championship-level layouts like Abama to the more affordable southern courses, and the pitch and putt courses ideal for beginners or for practising the short game. Many courses offer lessons, bag and buggy rental and a clubhouse to stop at after the round.
Which course to choose
To find your way quickly, based on what you are after:
| If you want... | Choose |
| A premium experience | Abama |
| The most spectacular scenery | Buenavista |
| Convenience from the southern resorts | Golf Costa Adeje |
| Proximity to the airport | Golf del Sur or Amarilla |
| A course near the resorts | Golf Las Américas |
| A first experience | A course with lessons or a pitch and putt |
How to organise the day
- Book your tee time in advance, especially in the winter high-season months.
- Compare green fees: they vary by season, time and booking conditions, as well as between premium and more affordable southern courses.
- Check what is required: some courses ask for a handicap or certificate; also check the dress code.
- You can rent a bag and buggy on site if you travel light.
- Choose your base around the courses: the south is the most convenient for grouping them into a few days. You will find ideas in the guide on where to stay in Tenerife without a car.
Between green fees, courses and different seasons, for a golf holiday it pays to compare before booking: with TPCard you can see which courses and activities in the network offer a benefit to cardholders.
