Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas
Gran Canaria, Spain

Above: Aerial view of Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas

It’s the first day of my trip to Gran Canaria and as we arrive at Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas, I have to say I am quite excited. The journey up to the course offered us some amazing views of the island, which in my mind means we are in for some spectacular views on the golf course as well.

The Real Club is the oldest golf course in Spain and after being shown around the trophy room in the clubhouse, which contains the oldest golf trophy in Spain that I was fortunately enough to get to hold, and a quick warm up on the range I am standing on the 1st tee. The hole is played from an elevated tee and at 244 yards it’s definitely drivable, but there are four bunkers that protect the green so you would need to carry those and then stop your ball!



Left to right: Various holes on Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas

So I take a 4-iron and set up a birdie chance with my pitch shot and duly miss the putt! The 2nd is played through a funnel of trees to a fairway that sits just beyond the practice ground and tilts slightly right to left, but anything too far left and you’re down a bank to the waste ground that sits between the practice ground and fairway. It is a well-designed hole.

The first of the par 3 holes arrives at the 3rd. Measuring 154 yards, it plays slightly uphill and protected by bunkers at the front. As I make my way round the front nine, I have a knowing, inner smile; the views are amazing as I thought they would be. And I am really enjoying the way the course weaves its way through the topography. Philip Mackenzie Ross, who designed the layout when the club had to move from its original site back in the 1950s to its new location, sitting alongside the Caldera de Bandama volcanic crater, has done a wonderful job.


Above: View from the elevated tee at the 1st hole

The back nine kicks off with a 183-yard par 3 with more amazing views out to sea when you reach the green. Standing on the 11th hole, which is played again from an elevated tee with mountains as its backdrop and today’s deep blue sky, I take a moment to remember that it’s only March and I am here playing in a polo shirt and shorts. It really is a perfect winter golf destination.

The views have been amazing, but the peak viewing point is when you reach the 13th. It is definitely a camera moment. Walking off the 18th green, my takeaway thoughts are what an amazing, well-designed golf course it is. The greens are in wonderful condition, running fast and true and in perfect condition, but it is the views that are going to grab all your attention.

No matter how well or badly you played, you will walk off the Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas with a big smile on your face.


Above: Amazing views out to sea from many points around the golf course

Above: Palm trees, elevated tees, raised greens and stunning views