Abama Golf & Spa Resort

Abama Golf & Spa Resort is home to one of the most scenic and challenging golf courses in Spain. Always maintained in top condition, this dramatically undulating layout initially takes you into the quiet tranquillity of desert hills. On the back-nine you plunge down past the huge pink Abama hotel, and almost reach the sea's edge. A walled banana plantations prevents you going all the way down to the rocky seashore.

There is nothing flat about Abama. Most holes are characterised by dramatic elevation changes, and even more dramatic ocean and mountain views. Around the course an abundance of palms, cactus, flowering shrubs and bushes, as well as cascading waterfalls ensures a verdant and lush environment, which sharply contrasts with the arid rock-strewn environment beyond the course.

Abama has a reputation for being tight and difficult, which is not entirely the case. Dave Thomas's design certainly exacts a price for seriously wayward shots, but for most of the time the immaculately presented fairways are bounded by a generous area of mounded, light, grassy rough. Around the often large, fast and sloping greens your game will be thoroughly tested with deep bunkering, slick grassy run-offs and clinging bermuda rough. There are potentially many shots to be dropped should you fail to hit some of the more elevated greens.

Although the green fee is expensive for Canary Islands golf, Abama is a thrilling course by any standards. It's up there with the best, and more than capable of challenging and humbling amateurs and professionals alike (photos courtesy of Abama Golf & Spa Resort).