Golf courses in Tenerife – the insider’s guides

Buenavista Golf

Venue for the LPGA Tenerife Ladies Open of 2004, Buenavista Golf is one of the most impressive new golf courses in the Canary Islands commanding spectacular views of the ocean and La Gomera. Designed by Seve Ballesteros this course was laid out so the holes offer different alternatives to their denouement.
This Championship course is a par 72, and a respectable 6,019 metres long.

How to successfully play this magnificent course from a pro, and amateur point of view.
By Daniel Goralczyk
PGA of America

1st hole: Slight dogleg left - par 5
500 metres from the whites; 472 metres from the yellows
Pro: direct a tee shot 265m right of the fairway. Roll it left in order to have a clear 138m second shot to the right side and a 90m third shot to the centre-left of the green (depending on where the flag is).
Am: hit a 200m drive to the right side of the fairway. Then hit a 177m shot to the right side as well, for a leave of 100m to the centre-left of the green.

2nd: Short - par 3
126m from the whites; 122m from the yellows
This small elevated green might be a little intimidating but shouldn’t be a problem with only two bunkers at the back right.

3rd: Right-to-left - par 4
320m from the whites; 317m from the yellows
Pro: hit a long iron 200m towards the bunkers ahead. This will leave a 120m short wedge to an elevated green.
Am: hit a 3-wood 200m towards the bunkers leaving a 117m second shot to the same elevated green. Add about 10m metres to the yardage as it’s uphill and you don’t want to be short.

4th: Long - par 3
185m from the whites; 178m from the yellows
The wind normally goes from right-to-left so aim right and let the wind take its course and bring the ball back onto the green.

5th: Slight downhill dogleg - par 5
445m from the whites; 440m from the yellows
Pro: drive 265m towards the left side of the fairway. Reachable in two, the pro would go for it with only 180m left to the green.
Am: a 226m drive towards the centre of the fairway. Then hit a second 114m down the hill for a short, safe shot to the green of only 100m.

6th: Slight dogleg right-to-left - par 4
424m from the whites; 393m from the yellows
Pro: hit a 277m drive down the right side of the fairway and have a 147m second shot to the green.
Am: hit a 235m drive to the right-centre of the fairway for a second 158m shot. Still keep to the left-centre of the green in order to keep the left-side bunker and drop out of play.

7th: Dogleg left-to-right - par 4
381m from the whites; 367m from the yellows
Pro: hit a drive towards the 6th fairway for a short cut. Leaving a short iron shot onto a large green.
Am: hit a drive 237m at the bunkers, leaving a 130m shot to the centre or right-centre of the green.

8th: Long - par 3
206m from the whites; 193m from the yellows
This long, slightly downhill par 3 is no pushover. The wind will most probably be travelling from right-to-left so aim right, just as you did on the fourth hole.

9th: Short - par 5
468m from the whites; 441m from the yellows
Pro: drive over the left side bunker 285m, leaving a 185m second shot to an elevated green.
Am: hit a 240m drive towards the right centre of the fairway. Then, a second 101m shot to the bottom of the hill and a third shot of 100m uphill to the centre of the green. Beware of the water on the left. If you are going for the green in two, miss right.

10th: Downhill - par 5
500m from the whites; 468m from the yellows
Soak in the wonderful views of the golf course and sea.
Pro: grip it and rip it down the right side of the fairway to the 335m mark for a short 165m second and a possibility of an eagle.
Am: let it rip down the hill to the centre of the fairway to the 270m mark and have a 3 or 5 wood left to the green. Go for it! It’s your chance to start the back nine on a good note.

11th: Slight uphill - par 4
382m from the whites; 363m from the yellows
Pro: hit a 230m drive to the middle of a well-protected area, leaving a 152m second shot uphill to the green.
Am: hit to the centre-right of the fairway 219m. Then a second shot 144m to the right side of the green. This hole will most probably be played into the wind so keep the ball as low as possible.

12th: Uphill - par 3
144m from the whites; 134m from the yellows
Although this is not a long hole the wind will make you uncertain about club selection. At times it can three clubs longer. Club selection is the key - just get it on the green.

13th: Downhill - par 5
457m from the whites; 444m from the yellows
Pro: line the shot towards the centre of the fairway about 320m. A short iron will be required to reach the hole.
Am: hit a 270m drive to the middle of the fairway. No lay up shot is required. Go for the green, you only have 174m left. Think birdie all the way, eagle is a bonus.

14th: Uphill - par 4
334m from the whites; 325m from the yellows
Pro: hit a driver or three wood 246m for a short 88m shot to an elevated green.
Am: drive 217m for a short 108m second shot to the same elevated green. Beware of the wind conditions and don’t be short! Par can turn into double bogey very easily.

15th: Long downhill - par 3
221m from the whites; 185m from the yellows
The wind is probably coming from behind and it’s a downhill, so the hole does not play as long as it says.
You’re looking at about a two to three club difference

16th: Dogleg left - par 4
313m from the whites; 304m from the yellows
Perfect photo opportunity from the tee box.
Pro: drive over, or just to the right of the barranco 257m, leaving a short 56m wedge shot to a once again elevated green.
Am: drive 200m to the centre of the fairway for a 104m second shot to that same green. Don’t get intimidated by the sea on the left, think of the centre of the fairway.

17th: Uphill - par 3
175m from the whites; 165m from the yellows
Although you can smell the refreshments from the clubhouse, keep your focus tight. Fatigue has kicked in and the wind is still blowing. Just remember not to be short.

18th: Slight downhill, dogleg left - par 5
438m from the whites; 436m from the yellows
Pro: hit a driver 280m to the middle left side of the fairway. With just 158m left to the green, go for it even though this is a well-protected and undulating green.
Am: drive to the middle or just left centre of the fairway 240m. The second shot would require a precise and long 196m shot. For the last time, don’t be short. It will cost you, as there is a water hazard.
If successful, this is the shot that will make you come back for more. If not, no worries, it’s a par five and par should be no problem. Besides, the clubhouse is only a step or two from the green.

Buenavista Golf - the greens
There are many two-tier greens. Make sure you land your ball on the same tier or below. You don’t want to have to hit down a tier to the hole; it’s a certain 3-putt. Also, there is a lot of grain, meaning if you putt towards the sea the ball will role quicker than if you putt inland. Without holding up play, and if you’re not in a stroke play tournament, take a few practise putts towards the sea and inland, also from the left and from the right. Get a feel of what the green does.

Buenavista Golf is situated in Buenavista del Norte. Just past Masca.
You can book golf and find more information at www.buenavistagolf.es or by calling (+34) 922 12 90 34