TLDR: Founded in 1891, Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas is the oldest golf club in Spain. The 18-hole, par-71 course wraps around the south side of the Caldera de Bandama in Santa Brígida. Visitor green fees run €106 to €130. Open to non-members weekdays only (Monday to Friday, 8am to 12:50pm tee times). Members only on weekends and bank holidays. Book at least 24 hours ahead.
Insider Tip
Book the earliest tee time you can get (8am or 8:10am) on a weekday. The course is quieter, the temperatures are cooler, and you’ll finish 18 holes with time for lunch in the clubhouse and an afternoon at the Caldera or the Pico viewpoint. Most visitors book mid-morning and end up rushing the back nine in the heat.
The Course in One Paragraph
18 holes, par 71, around 5,800 metres from the white tees. The course wraps around the south rim of the Caldera de Bandama and uses the volcanic terrain in a way no other course on the island does. Tight, undulating fairways, raised greens, prevailing trade winds, and views down into the crater on several holes. It is not a long course but it punishes loose iron play. Founded in 1891, which makes it the oldest golf club in Spain by a clear margin.
Quick note: If you want to walk to the clubhouse from your hotel, check current rates at Bandama Golf Hotel. It’s 13 minutes on foot to the first tee.
How to Book a Tee Time
Visitor tee times are available Monday to Friday, with the first tee at 8am and the last visitor slot at 12:50pm. Weekends and bank holidays are reserved for members. You need to book at least 24 hours in advance, ideally several days if you are travelling in high season (October to April).
The official Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas website has an online booking form. You receive a confirmation email with your tee time and a price quote. You pay at the clubhouse pro shop on arrival (cash or card both work).
If you don’t book ahead, walk-up is sometimes possible at quieter times of year, but never on weekends. Easier to email or phone the day before.
Green Fees and What’s Included
Visitor green fee: €106 to €130 depending on day and season. High season (winter months) sits at the top of that range; spring and autumn slightly less.
What’s included: 18 holes, use of the practice areas (driving range, two putting greens, pitching area) before your round, and access to the clubhouse facilities (changing rooms, bar, restaurant).
What costs extra: Buggy hire (€30 to €40), club rental (€25 to €40 for a half set), trolley hire (€5), and balls/range tokens. Caddies can be arranged in advance for an additional fee.
Dress code: Standard golf club. Collared shirt for men, no denim, no trainers on the course (golf shoes or smooth-soled trainers in the clubhouse only).
What the Course Plays Like
The first thing to know: this is not a typical Canary Islands resort course. There are no manicured fairways stretching to the horizon. The course is older, tighter, more strategic, and the volcanic terrain dictates the layout in ways modern designers wouldn’t choose.
The fairways are narrow in places. Accuracy off the tee matters more than length. A 280-yard driver is wasted here.
The greens are small, raised, and protected. Approach play is the strength you need.
The wind is the constant variable. The trade winds funnel across the Caldera and add or subtract a club on most shots. Pay attention to the flag direction, not just the windsock.
The signature stretch runs along the south rim of the crater on the front nine. You’ll get views down into the volcano on multiple holes that no other course on Gran Canaria can match.
Honest assessment: Mid handicaps will love it. Long hitters who can’t shape a fade will be frustrated. Short-game players will have an advantage.
“Played here on a Wednesday morning. Quiet, well-maintained, and the views over the crater on the front nine are unlike anything I’ve played in Spain. The wind made it harder than the scorecard suggests. Worth every euro of the green fee just for the experience of playing the oldest course in the country.”
The Clubhouse
The clubhouse is more than 130 years old in parts and feels it in the best way. Wood panelling, old trophies on the walls, a long bar, and a full restaurant with views over the course toward Pico de las Nieves. The food is traditional Spanish with Canarian touches and the menu is honest and well-priced for a private club.
Non-golfers can usually visit the clubhouse and restaurant if they’re with a guest who is playing or staying nearby. Worth a stop even if you’re not playing – the building and the views from the terrace are some of the best in Bandama.
Where to Stay if You’re Playing
The closest hotel to the first tee is Bandama Golf Hotel, which sits on the same hillside as the course and is a 13-minute walk to the clubhouse door. Free parking on site if you’d rather drive the short distance with clubs in the boot.
If you’re playing multiple courses on Gran Canaria during the trip, basing yourself at Bandama Golf Hotel for the round at Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas and then moving south for the resort courses (Maspalomas, Anfi Tauro, Salobre) is the most efficient pattern. Or play this one as a day trip from a south-coast or Las Palmas base.
“Stayed here specifically to play Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas. Walked to the clubhouse from the hotel in 13 minutes with clubs on a trolley, played a quiet morning round, walked back, and the pool was right there. Hard to argue with that setup.”
What to Bring
- Your handicap certificate (sometimes asked for at older Spanish clubs)
- Plenty of water – there are no drink stations on the course
- Sunscreen and a hat (the front nine has limited shade)
- An extra sleeve of balls (the rough is volcanic and unforgiving)
- Cash for the caddy/buggy if you didn’t pre-book
- A light jacket for early tee times when the rim wind is cool
Honest Trade-offs
The course is not a modern resort experience. Don’t expect a USA-style country club with a fleet of carts and a snack bar at the turn. This is an older, smaller, more old-school operation, and that is the appeal for most people who play it.
The other honest thing: the visitor green fee is high for what you get if you compare it purely to course length and condition. You’re paying for the history, the location, and the views into the crater. If those don’t matter to you, the resort courses in the south offer better value per euro.
For the wider area and what to do off the course, see the Things to Do in Santa Brígida and Bandama guide, and for where to eat after a round, see the Best Restaurants in Santa Brígida guide. The official Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas site is at rcgolflaspalmas.com.
Staying in Santa Brígida?
Bandama Golf Hotel is the closest hotel to Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas – 13 minutes on foot to the clubhouse, free parking, on-site restaurant for post-round lunch, and a pool for the afternoon.
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FAQs
Can non-members play Real Club de Golf de Las Palmas?
Yes, on weekdays only (Monday to Friday). Tee times for visitors run from 8am to 12:50pm. Weekends and bank holidays are members only.
How much is the green fee?
€106 to €130 depending on day and season. Buggy and club rental cost extra.
How old is the course?
Founded in 1891. It is the oldest golf club in Spain.
Do I need a handicap certificate?
Sometimes. The club may ask. Bring it just in case.
How far is the course from Bandama Golf Hotel?
13 minutes on foot or 2 minutes by car. The hotel sits on the same hillside.
Is the course difficult?
Moderately. It is not long but the fairways are tight, the greens are small, and the wind is constant. Accuracy beats power here.
Can I just visit the clubhouse without playing?
Usually yes if you’re with a guest, staying at a nearby hotel, or asking politely at the door. The terrace and restaurant are worth seeing.
See Bandama Golf Hotel for Yourself
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