Tenerife, Gran Canaria or Lanzarote: Which Canary Island is Best for Golf?

When it comes to a Canary Islands golf holiday, choosing between Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote is the question most golfers face first. All three islands offer warm winter sunshine, reliable year-round conditions and a well-established hotel infrastructure. But they are genuinely different places with different course offerings, different atmospheres and different strengths depending on what your group is looking for.

This guide compares the three islands across the things that matter most to golfers -- courses, hotels, weather, non-golf options and value -- so you can make an informed choice before you book. For the full range of packages across all three islands, visit our Canary Islands golf holidays page.

Why the Canary Islands for Golf?

Before getting into the comparison, it is worth being clear on why the Canary Islands work so well as a golf destination. Located off the coast of West Africa rather than in the Mediterranean, the islands sit in a subtropical climate zone that gives them something no mainland Spanish destination can match: genuinely reliable warmth year-round, including January and February when most of Europe is either cold or wet.

Average temperatures across all three islands sit between 18 and 24 degrees in winter, rising to 24 to 28 in summer. Rain is rare, particularly in the south of each island where the majority of golf courses and hotels are concentrated. For UK golfers who want to play in short sleeves in January, the Canaries are the obvious answer. For a broader seasonal comparison across all of Spain, see our guide to the best time to visit Spain for a golf holiday.

Tenerife is the largest of the three islands and has by far the most developed golf and tourism infrastructure. It is the natural choice for first-time visitors to the Canaries and for groups who want a wide choice of hotels, courses and things to do beyond the game.

Golf Courses in Tenerife

Tenerife has around a dozen courses, the majority concentrated in the south around Costa Adeje, Golf del Sur and Las Americas. The standout layouts are Golf del Sur -- which hosted the Spanish Open and features a famous black lava finishing hole -- and Abama Golf, set on steep terraces with dramatic views down to the Atlantic. Golf Las Americas is one of the more accessible resort courses and suits groups of mixed handicaps. Buenavista Golf in the northwest, designed by Seve Ballesteros, is more remote but worth the trip for the scenery and quality of the layout.

Hotels in Tenerife

Tenerife has the strongest hotel offer of the three islands. Seven hotels with active packages are available through Par5 Escapes, covering a range of areas and price points across the south of the island.

Golf-Focused

Costa Adeje, Tenerife

Hotel Las Madrigueras

Sitting adjacent to Las Madrigueras course with spa and pool facilities. The most golf-convenient base in Costa Adeje.

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Golf-Focused

Golf del Sur, Tenerife

Grand Muthu Golf Plaza

On the Golf del Sur complex, one of Tenerife's top courses. The best on-site golf access on the island.

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Luxury

Costa Adeje, Tenerife

Dreams Jardin Tropical

Five-star adults-only resort with beachfront access and strong spa and leisure facilities. Top pick for couples and premium breaks.

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Boutique

Buenavista del Norte, Tenerife

Hotel Hacienda del Conde

A boutique property near Buenavista Golf on Tenerife's dramatic north coast. Suits couples and smaller groups wanting something quieter.

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Adults Only

Costa Adeje, Tenerife

Melia Jardines del Teide

Adults-only resort with a large pool complex close to the south coast courses. A relaxed base with strong on-site leisure.

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Best Value

Playa de las Americas, Tenerife

Coral Compostela Beach Golf

Beach access, central resort location and competitive pricing. A practical, reliable choice for groups on a flexible budget.

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Best Value

Playa de las Americas, Tenerife

Sol Tenerife

Reliable mid-range hotel in a central resort location. Good access to south coast courses and straightforward group logistics.

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Gran Canaria is the second most popular of the three islands for golf and offers something noticeably different to Tenerife. The island is more compact, the terrain is more dramatic -- particularly in the interior -- and the golf courses in the south around Maspalomas tend to feel less resort-packaged and more genuinely interesting as layouts.

Golf Courses in Gran Canaria

The standout course is Salobre Golf, which has two layouts -- Old and New -- set in the volcanic landscape south of Maspalomas. Both are well-designed, well-maintained and offer a playing experience that stands out from the typical resort course. Maspalomas Golf is the oldest course on the island, set among palm trees and dunes near the famous sand dunes of the south. Anfi Tauro and Las Palmeras Golf round out the offer for groups who want variety across a week.

Hotels in Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria has two hotels with active packages through Par5 Escapes, both in the south of the island near Maspalomas and Salobre Golf. The Salobre Hotel is the headline option -- a full resort property sitting directly adjacent to the Salobre courses.

Top Pick

Salobre, Maspalomas, Gran Canaria

Salobre Hotel Resort Serenity

Adjacent to Salobre Golf Old and New -- the best courses in the Canaries. Full resort facilities and spa. The standout golf base on Gran Canaria.

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Spa & Leisure

San Agustin, Gran Canaria

Hotel Gloria Palace San Agustin

Thalasso spa, sea views and close to Maspalomas Golf. A strong choice for groups where spa and leisure are as important as the golf.

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Lanzarote is the most distinctive of the three islands and the one that divides opinion most sharply. It is the driest and most volcanic in character -- the landscape is stark, otherworldly and unlike anywhere else in Europe. For golfers who appreciate that kind of setting, it is genuinely memorable. For those who want lush fairways and a conventional resort feel, it may not be the right choice.

Golf Courses in Lanzarote

Lanzarote Golf Resort near Puerto del Carmen is the main course on the island -- a well-maintained layout with the island's characteristic volcanic landscape as its backdrop. It suits all handicap levels and is the most commonly played course for visiting golfers. Costa Teguise Golf in the north is a shorter, more accessible layout that works well as a second round during a week's stay.

Hotels in Lanzarote

Lanzarote has two hotels with active packages through Par5 Escapes. Hotel Costa Calero near Puerto Calero marina is the stronger golf base, within straightforward reach of Lanzarote Golf Resort. Elba Sara is more beach-focused and suits groups where relaxation is as important as the golf.

Top Pick

Puerto Calero, Lanzarote

Hotel Costa Calero

Marina setting with spa and pool facilities, close to Lanzarote Golf Resort. The best golf base on the island.

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Beach & Golf

Lanzarote

Elba Sara Beach & Golf Resort

Beach-focused resort with golf access. A relaxed option for groups where leisure and sunshine are as much a priority as the rounds.

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Side-by-Side Comparison

What About Fuerteventura and La Gomera?

Two other islands in the Canary archipelago are worth a brief mention for golfers.

Fuerteventura has one strong option in the Sh eraton Fuerteventura Beach, Golf & Spa Resort -- a five-star property with beach and spa facilities and access to Fuerteventura Golf Club. The island is better known for wind and water sports than golf, but for a group where one or two non-golfers want a beach-heavy break alongside a few rounds, it is worth considering.

La Gomera is the smallest and least visited of the islands we cover. Tivoli La Caleta is available through Par5 Escapes and the island's Tecina Golf course is genuinely scenic -- dramatic cliffs and Atlantic views. A niche choice suited to smaller groups or couples who want something quiet and off the beaten track.

Best For: Quick Guide

Not sure which island fits your group? Use this as a quick starting point.

When to Go

All three islands are genuinely playable year-round, which is the main reason UK golfers favour the Canaries for winter golf breaks. That said, there are practical differences worth knowing.

November to April

The main season for UK golfers. Temperatures are warm, courses are in good condition and flights from UK airports are frequent. This is peak demand and prices reflect that, particularly over Christmas, New Year and February half-term. January and February are arguably the best months -- the islands are at their most uncrowded relative to the UK winter peak and the contrast with home conditions is at its most stark.

May to October

Quieter and often better value. Summer temperatures sit around 24 to 28 degrees -- warm but not extreme -- and the islands are perfectly playable throughout the day. If you are travelling in summer, the Canaries are a far better choice than mainland Spain, where midday temperatures regularly exceed 35 degrees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Canary Island has the most golf courses?

Tenerife has the most golf courses of the three, with around a dozen layouts concentrated mainly in the south around Costa Adeje, Golf del Sur and Las Americas. Gran Canaria has around six courses, with Salobre Golf being the most highly regarded. Lanzarote has the fewest courses but Lanzarote Golf Resort is well maintained and suits most visiting golfers.

Is it worth going to the Canary Islands for golf in summer?

Yes, the Canary Islands are one of the few destinations in Spain that work well for golf in summer. Temperatures sit around 24 to 28 degrees rather than the 35-plus of mainland Spain, and rounds can be played comfortably throughout the day. The islands are busier and pricier in summer but the playing conditions are perfectly reasonable.

Do I need a handicap certificate to play golf in the Canary Islands?

Most courses across Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote ask for a recognised handicap certificate. Requirements vary by club and some resort courses are more flexible. It is worth confirming in advance, particularly for courses like Abama and Salobre which have higher standards for visiting players.

Can non-golfers enjoy a Canary Islands golf holiday?

Yes, all three islands work well for mixed-interest groups. Tenerife in particular has a strong non-golf offer -- Teide National Park, whale and dolphin watching, the historic towns of La Orotava and La Laguna and a full range of beach and water sports. Gran Canaria has the Maspalomas dunes, good beaches and a lively dining scene in the south. Lanzarote suits non-golfers who appreciate dramatic volcanic landscapes and a quieter pace of life.