Discover Gran Canaria's incredible golf courses

Gran Canaria has been a popular golfing holiday destination for over 50 years due to its dramatic scenery and mild climate all year round.

With courses carved into the volcanic terrain and perched on the edge of cliff faces, Gran Canaria has some of the most photogenic courses in the world, with interesting and challenging layouts.

Here are some of the courses the island has to offer and popular places to stay in the area.

Meloneras Golf

This par 71 course is located on the south coast of the island, perched on the edge of a jagged rockface with panoramic views over the Atlantic. 

Course architect Ron Kirby, who sadly passed away in 2023, was entrusted with the project, and who better to design a cliff top course than the man responsible for Old Head. 

Kirby directed his efforts to building courses oozing with character, but not defined by their difficulty.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner in 2012, Kirby stated: "We made the golf courses too damn tough. You can’t play through all those nests of bunkers. Gary [Player] was the best of the bunch because he knows where to strategically place bunkers and that one bunker can be good enough."

This philosophy is apparent at Meloneras, an accessible championship layout, where every hole feels different and every hazard is intentionally positioned.

What makes the character of Meloneras so distinct is the stark difference in the front and back nine. 

The front plays a lot tighter, sheltered inland by rows of palm trees that give a parkland feel, but on the back nine it transforms into a links style, with wide open fairways along the cliff edge and heavy exposure to the coastal wind.

The par 3 12th is a signature hole, forcing players to carry over the waves while contending with the wind. If nerves take over and you send a Pro V1 plummeting towards the seabed, then the stunning views from holes 13-16, alongside the Atlantic, are sure to give you amnesia.    

Lopesan Costa Meloneras Resort & Spa and Gran Hotel Lopesan Villa del Conde, are five-star resorts on the seafront offering luxurious rooms and all the amenities you need, while being a short distance from popular local restaurants and bars. 

Anfi Tauro

Located on the south-west coast of Gran Canaria, this par 72 championship layout is set within a volcanic landscape, with rugged red rock and arid surroundings akin to an Arizona style course.

Lead designer Robert von Hagge has been an influential figure in popularising resort-style championship courses, working on prestigious courses across the globe, including the "Blue Monster" course at Doral and 2018 Ryder Cup venue Le Golf National.

Von Hagge, alongside his close partners Michael Smelek and Rick Baril, were known for designing challenging but interesting courses, where each hole is different and players are forced to be creative.

Anfi Tauro is no different, with a number of elevated tee shots, sloping fairways and tricky pin positions which create risk vs reward approaches.

While Von Hagge was responsible for one of the hardest courses in the world, the "Blue Monster" course at Doral, Anfi Tauro was not designed with the same nefarious intent. 

Measuring 6,265 yards from the back tees, it is an accessible course which instead uses the dramatic surrounding scenery for sheer intimidation.

Take the par 3 at 13, played from the highest point of the course and requiring a long iron into a small, well protected green, where a skewed shot either side could send you tumbling down the rocky slopes.

Then there’s the par 3 on hole 6, featuring pyramid rock formations standing on the precipice of the Atlantic. The green is larger and plays easier than 13, but the immense visuals create a nervy experience.

Maspalomas Tabaiba Princess, Gran Hotel Lopesan Villa del Conde and Hotel Gloria Palace San Agustin are all great options for your stay, offering pure luxury, with modern fully furnished rooms, pools, various eateries and terrace bars.

Maspalomas Golf

On the south-east side of the island among the spectacular dunes lies Maspalomas Golf. 

Opened in 1968 it is one of the earliest golf resort destinations on Gran Canaria, home to an 18-hole par 73 course.

Scottish golf designer, Philip Mackenzie Ross, worked on a number of courses in his home country and across Europe, including Estoril Golf Club and Turnberry.

Although not a household name, Ross’ work transcends his legacy, helping to restore courses across Britain which were damaged and neglected during the war alongside colleagues such as Harry Colt and Herbert Fowler.

Resort golf was starting to gain significant momentum in the 60s, and Ross was appointed for the Maspalomas project.

The course itself feels unsurprisingly more traditional than others on the island. While Anfi Tauro and Salobre are engineered into the dramatic scenery, Maspalomas is more natural, with wide undulating fairways following the contours of the land.

It is more playable for high handicappers than some of the others, giving you the chance to enjoy rather than navigate the surrounding beauty. This is especially the case on hole 7 which runs right alongside the sweeping sand dunes.

A more easy-going round should not be confused for a cakewalk, and Maspalomas’ main defence is the elements, with high exposure to the coastal winds meaning distance control and accuracy is rigorously tested.

The course is located near one of the busiest areas on the island, Playa del Ingles, and there are a number of resorts in the close vicinity. 

It is best for those looking to stay in an atmospheric region of the island with a bustling nightlife and plenty of activities to enjoy.

Salobre Golf

Located on the south side of the island, nestled inland among the volcanic, desert like landscape, Salobre features both an 18-hole and (currently) 9-hole layouts.

The Old Course is the 18-hole, a par 71 opened in 1999 built onto the volcanic terrain, featuring ravines and dramatic elevation changes.

Like the other courses previously discussed, the par 3s at Salobre stand out. In particular the 11th which plays downhill onto an offset green surrounded by rocky terrain. It is on the long side but plays shorter with the elevation requiring intuitive club selection.

There are five par 3 holes in total all offering a different puzzle, whether you are navigating ravines or dealing with varied elevation.

Green fairways contrast with the volcanic surroundings creating an amphitheatre feel on many of the holes, similar to courses aforementioned.

Salobre’s New Course is a 9-holer (it will fully reopen to 18 holes in November 2026) designed by Ron Kirby in 2008, who was seemingly keen to extend his stay in Gran Canaria after Meloneras opened two years prior.

The terrain is more extreme than the Old Course, with sloping fairways frequently presenting uneven lies and blind approach shots.

While the course does not significantly challenge distance, the dramatic landscape forces unconventional and creative shots making it a tricky experience where shrewd strategy is the key to a low score.

Hole 5 is a standout, a dogleg over a volcanic canyon, requiring a gutsy tee shot to take the 'Tiger line' followed up by a narrow approach.

Salobre may not have the panoramic ocean views, but set away from the coastal crowds it offers something different, a lush parkland experience and for a cheaper price too.

If you stay at the Salobre Hotel Resort & Serenity, expect a secluded retreat with all the amenities you could hope for; swimming pools, a wellness centre, and multiple bars and restaurants perfect for both a casual drink or a full meal with expansive views from the terraces.

For your next golf trip to Gran Canaria, check out what Golfbreaks has to offer.