Abama Golf Club

Attached to a luxury hotel which is also very distinctive (that is being kind), this course does not receive a huge amount of golfers and, allied to the year-round sun, is in astonishingly good nick. The greens are as pure as you could wish for but possibly a little quick and tiered for many club golfers; it is worryingly easy to putt from one side and off the other. This beast is beautiful though; it has 22 lakes linked by impressive waterfalls, white-sand bunkers 25,000 palm trees, and from its hilltop position offers fabulous views of the Atlantic and island of La Gomera.

Tenerife has long been an enviable destination for golfing holidays, but the opening of the Abama Resort course has taken it to another level. Abama is a rising star of Europe – just five months after opening, it staged the new European Tour event, the Canaries Open. Abama was created from an old banana plantation by Dave Thomas, arguably the prince of British Golf architects. It’s a course in the Thomas mould, with big targets: wide undulating targets, expansive bunkers of dazzling white sand voluptuous greens and loads of water. Sea views from almost every corner are a big plus, too, so concentration is hard-won here. The clubhouse terrace overlooks a classic opening hole – up-slope with everything in sight, and with the ocean on the right. Then, as the course unfolds, it develops into a series of technical and visual delights.

Strictly speaking golf courses need time to mature. Five months into their shelf life they are usually still wide open, devoid of features and waiting for the greens to settle down. Dave Thomas’ Abama is a wonderful exception to this rule. Not for it, a long bedding in period of mediocrity. Just five months into its life, Tenerife’s newest golfing gem was granted the greatest honour that could be afforded to it. Abama hosted the European Tour’s Canarias Open. Modelled on the top Hawaiian courses, Abama uses the island’s natural undulations to snake around the west coast and offers stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean. It seems inconceivable that you will ever grow tired of wandering around the holes dreamily, but, if your body finally says no, the adjoining 5-star hotel offers a Wellness and Spa centre, eight swimming pools and a private beach.

Click here to find out where Abama Golf Club ranks in Golf World's Top 100 Golf Resorts Europe

Opened in November 2005, the Abama Resort has alredy hosted a European Tour event – the 2005 Canarias Open. Designer Dave Thomas has crafted a superb test with 18 holes winding between 22 lakes and 25,000 palm trees. The course is part of a luxurious five-star resort, uniquely designed and perched high above the Atlantic. The resort already has a reputation for gastronomy, thanks to a series of fine-dining restaurants.

• Course has: Bar
• Course has: Buggy Hire
• Course has: Driving Range
• Course does not have: Practice Green
• Course has: Pro Shop
• Course has: Restaurant
• Course has: Trolley Hire
• Course does not have: Dress Code
• Course has: Club Hire
• Course does not have: Handicap

• 5 out of 5 Stunning course 15 July 2007

  By bigdee

  Absolutely fantastic course with stunning scenery. Greens, tees & fairways are immaculate. Not cheap to play but worth every euro!

• 4.5 out of 5 Simply the best 10 September 2005

  By Anonymous

  My fave course of all time - played it every year for last six and want to keep playing. Simply the best - great fun and great condition.