Lanzarote is a golfer's paradise. Imagine sunny days, 70 degrees, a slight breeze, almost every single day. That is the beauty that is Lanzarote. Never heard of it? It's one of the Canary Islands, off the coast of Africa. People often think that the islands are named after the birds, but in truth it comes from the Latin for dog -- Canine. Probably the sailors were trying to describe the seals that used the islands as a mating ground. Those seals, are, alas, extinct.
I like Lanzarote (the eastern most of the island chain) the best because of their commitment to the environment. Those extinct seals are just one of the many examples of the way that man has adversely impacted the island ecosystem. Lanzarote cares about the native flora and fauna and they put their money where their mouth is.
The golf courses are actually a great example of the eco-commitment. Both golf courses are designed with native plants, which keeps the water usage low. The whole of Lanzarote has been subjected to volcanic activity (most recently in the 1700s, so don't worry) and the areas of volcanic landscape have been preserved and celebrated within the golf course designs. On more than one hole, you are practically playing on the volcano itself. An awesome experience.
The first Lanzarote golf course was the Costa Teguise, which opened in 1978. It's an 18 hole course, par 72, designed by John Harris. It sits at the foot of a volcano. On this course players will need to bring all their clubs into play. The greens a re varied and there are some fun doglegs. Costa Teguise is both challenging to skilled players and enjoyable for someone of my (lower) skill level. It's just a beautiful place. There are accommodations close to the course, such as the Occidental Oasis, the Gran Melia Salinas, and the Coronas Playa.
Recently the Lanzarote Golf Resort opened just outside Puerto del Carmen. It's an 18 hole, 72 par course. American golf course designer Ron Kirby created the course. The location is amazing. The course is nestled in the hills overlooking Puerto del Carmen. The Atlantic ocean is the backdrop for the wonderful landscaping.
Let's talk about the weather. Because Lanzarote is so close to Africa, the climate is temperate. The days are very mild, all year round. 70 degrees every day might be a bit of an exaggeration, but when you're leaving ice-bound Buffalo for a winter vacation, are you going to quibble about a couple of degrees or a few clouds?
Golf is a great sport. Young or old, duffer or better, it's a great way to get some exercise and some sunshine! Plan a little holiday that combines some much needed sunshine with some time on the greens. From Europe flights are laughably cheap. From the states, you'll pay a couple hundred, round trip, or for the West Coast, closer to a thousand. Fun and sun are yours for the asking in Lanzarote.
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