Spain: Gran Canaria T


he ‘mid-haul mini-break’ has been a growing trend in recent seasons, with


thousands of UK holidaymakers enjoying long weekends in places as far afield as Marrakech, Rome and Seville, rather than restricting themselves to hopping over to Paris or Brussels on the Eurostar. A similar trend has also been


seen in the golf travel industry, with more and more golfers content to play four or five rounds on a three or four-night trip, rather than commiting to the time and cost of traditional one- and two- week holidays. And given the essential


requirement of weather, golfers are also prepared to travel that bit further to enjoy prime playing conditions, which brings in mid-haul destinations — such as southern Spain, Italy and Morocco — very much onto the radar. One such venue enjoying a


growing share of the mid-haul market is Gran Canaria, a stunning island 100 miles off the north-west coast of Africa, which basks in year- round, spring-like sunshine


— and it’s only a four-hour flight from the UK. Named Europe’s top golf destination at the IAGTO awards in 2013, the Spanish island is enjoying a welcome boom in bookings from golfers looking for a quick getaway, with all the major golf-tour operators reporting a significant increase in mini-break packages to this popular Canary Islands gem. Famed for its stunning 150-mile


coastline, volcanic mountains and relaxing beach resorts, Gran Canaria also has eight golf courses, many of which are set against dramatic landscapes.


TRIO OF TRACKS The clubs are handily divided between those found in the north, around the island’s capital, Las Palmas — where El Cortijo Club de Campo, La Palmas Golf, and the island’s oldest club, Royal Las Palmas, form a trio of enticing tracks — and the southern coastline. Here, a cluster of venues around


the resorts of Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés combine to offer a quintet of quality courses. The walk-on


green fees are surprisingly similar all over the island, and are kept between £71-£107, depending on the season (UK winter is high season), so it’s best to pre-book a package with built-in green fees in order to avoid paying the standard track rate. With the tiny island shaped


like a slightly distorted golf ball, distances aren’t really an issue for golfers planning a road trip around the island — it’s 31 miles from top to botom. For those with less time on their hands, though, it’s easy to configure a convenient single destination itinerary that keeps to the north or the south. Away from the links, there’s


a diverse range of activities to enjoy, from relaxing on the miles of stunning beaches, where water sports and horse-riding are available for the more energetic, to the botanical gardens at Palmitos Park or browsing the boutiques in the bustling streets of Las Palmas. Children are also well catered for, with numerous water, amusement and animal parks to entertain and enthral all ages.


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IMAGE: ISTOCKPHOTO


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