Golf Tenerife

Those who have read my restaurant reports before know that we go out at least one night in the week with friends for a meal. It used to be that we would decide between us where we would go based on somewhere we liked or had been recommended. That has all changed. We have now decided to go somewhere that we DON’T know. Taking it in turn to choose a restaurant, no arguing. If it’s good – great, if it’s bad then at least we know to cross it of our list.

Our first jaunt was to Lo Nuestro a typical Canarian restaurant specialising in meat and fish dishes up a tiny unmade path off the main street in Buzanada (before the roundabout & opposite Excalibur).

We visited in March and as it was cold moved tables twice ending up in a cosy corner away from the door and any possible draughts there might be from people coming in and out.

The waiter was very attentive and took our order (fortunately there is a section in English). A large dish of deep fried squid and octopus (more than enough for 4 people) was brought to our table. We said it wasn´t ours, and were told it was complements of the house. This was followed by our starters of Fried Goats Cheese with two different mermeladeas (jams) and sweet black pudding (just love this stuff full of nuts and fruit).

All meals come with a selection of vegetables, plus Canarian potatoes and chips. If you want bread and mojos like many restaurants this is an extra. Our choice for the night was a large mixed kebab of chicken, pork and beef; pork chops; a chicken cordon bleu and I had the chicken lo-nuestro which was breast of chicken in a pineapple and pepper sauce (delicious).

Dessert – only the two boys (boys Ha!!) could manage these and they both went for the light options. A lemon sorbet and Bienmesabe a popular dessert, made of ground almonds, sugar syrup, cinnamon and lemon zest. To wash it all down we had 5 beers, 1 coke, 2 waters, 2 cafe con leche and a barraquito.

The bill for 4 was just €68 and the portions so large we brought one piece of my chicken and one of other half’s pork chops home (our dog was happy for almost 3 days).

There is no smoking in the restaurant but when two of us went outside for a cigarette the manager said it was too cold and to sit at the bar. He then gave us a couple of Ron Miel’s to warm us up. After the meal as there were only a few people left behind he came to our table with an ashtray.

The waiter spoke a little English and with our bit of Spanish it was good fun, once he learnt we lived here he was cheeky and when we asked for more water he replied ´No San Miguel´ then winked and brought our water.

Before we have a meal anywhere I like to check out the toilets, if they are not up to standard, we walk. These were spotless, up a few stairs and had recently been beautifully re-tiled.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Lo Nuestro. Both the food and the service were excellent – This will definitely get a second visit.

If you would like to book, ring Tel 922729912 Mov. 676383893 (Closed Wednesday).

Lo Nuestro – Buzanada, Tenerife : By Matilda

The golf pro Prayer

The Pro is my Shepherd,

I shall not Slice.

He maketh me to Drive Straight

Down Green Fairways;

He leadeth me Safely

across Still Water-Hazards;

He restoreth my Approach Shots.

He Leadeth me in the Paths of

Accuracy for my Game’s Sake.

Yea, though I chip through the Roughs

in the shadows of Sand Traps,

For his Advice is with me;

His Putter and Irons,

they confort me.

He prepareth my Strategy for me

in the presence of mine Opponents;

He anointeth my head with Confidence:

The Cup will not be runneth over!

Surely Birdies and Eagles shall follow

me all the Rounds of my Life,

And I will score in the Low Eighties

Amen

This Video says it all about Golf Clubs and Members

The fabulous  Hotel  Jardin Tropical : Adeje are holding their 15th annual Golf tournament at the world class championship golf course of Abama here in Tenerife on the 6th of June 2009. There will be 3 prize categories for men and 2 for women, there is also a scratch prize and one for the best senior along with a car for a hole in one on a designated hole.

So if you have a Spanish Federation handicap and 86 Euros you can enter by calling the hotel’s Golf lounge on Tel : 0034 922 746 001

I will be playing at the event and I am looking forward to a great day out. Pictures and full report will follow…

If you like going to simple typical restaurantes, which serve meat and chicken from the grill (carne a la brasa),

Canary soups such as rancho Canario, lentil potaje and chickpea stew (garbanzos) then you will probably enjoy a visit to Los Asadores.

This restaurant has been open since 1972 and I can remember when we used to sit on long wooden benches to be able to have some of their crispy grilled chicken, local wine, bread and chips.

But now there are tables and chairs it continues to be popular with locals and visitors alike.

There are usually no menu cards to be seen.

The waiter will tell you what they are serving that day, and so I have not included prices here but you can be sure they are reasonable.

More Canary dishes offered there: chicken and mojo, roast pork (asado de cerdo), lentil potaje, chicken livers, ribs in sauce, salad, fresh bread, frangollo (raisin pudding), leche asada (milk & egg pudding), rice pudding.

Los Asadores is located on the main road from Las Arenas down to Puerto de la Cruz at Carretera General de Las Arenas, 98.

You will find a convenient parking lot just below the restaurant, as well as a few places right outside the door.

If you are driving up the hill from Puerto de la Cruz it is on the right hand side, and the adjoining parking lot is just before the restaurant.

Open every day from 12 noon to 11 pm.

Telephone: 922 385 184 Their website with map.

My recommendation: This is one of those typical Canary restaurantes to visit for good, simple local dishes and Canary style grilled meat or chicken.

Canarybird…..My Website

Just some nice pictures of this little Gem

Los Palos’ Golf Tenerife Center is a par 27, nine hole course in the South of the  Island , five minutes from Playa de la Américas and Los Cristianos 

La Orquidea – French Restaurant Located at the quiet end of a busy street in the La Paz area of Puerto de la Cruz, La Orquidea is a lovely French restaurant. A family business established several years ago, it is know for its pleasant atmosphere and good food with a choice of full or half portions of typically French dishes ranging from Salade Niçoise to Snails,and from Carpaccio to Crêpes Flambées.

La Orquidea exterior                      La Orquidea interior

With comfortable seating, tables decked in linen and roses, it’s a perfect setting for a casual, pleasant luncheon or a special occasion dinner.

Here are some dishes and prices, some which are for 1/2 portions:

Salade Niçoise € 5 or € 8; Salad with Chicken Breast, Avocado & Roquefort € 5 or € 8; Snails Bourgogne with Mushrooms € 9; Lasagne Bolonese € 8; Spaghetti Provençale € 8; Veal Cordon Bleu € 9; Beef Carpaccio € 13; Veal Fillet Steak with Mushrooms and Cream Flambé € 19.50; Crêpes Flambées with Grand Marnier & Ice Cream € 5.20; Chocolate Profiteroles with Vanilla Ice Cream € 4.60.

It is situated on the same street as Supermercado 2000 (Spar), around the corner on the right and at the far end, after passing Hotels Masaru, Teidemar, Riu Bonanza and Riu Canarife, it’s the second location from the end of the street, easy to identify by the sign outside.

Hours are: 12 noon through to 10:30 pm. Closed on Tuesdays

Address: La Orquidea, Calle Los Aceviños s/n, Urb. La Paz, Puerto de la Cruz.

Telephone/Fax: 922 370 330

I give this a very good recommendation, especially for a celebration dinner.

Canarybird ..My Website.

I have added a new Rules section on the right hand side side panel, the reason for this is that many of us are breaching the Rules and don’t even know it. This section is written by Barry Rhodes an authority on” The rules” and one of the few people I have found that can interpret the rules in a form that we all can understand.

So thank you Barry for letting me stream “the Rules” and I hope it helps me and others with our enjoyment of the game.

Barry’s has written a book  entitled 999 Questions on Rules of Golf and it is available from his web site

The wonderful Club House

View from the 18th green

Some More Views

This is Lucas he wanders around the course, Nice touch

Many of you may not know it, but I have been very busy  over the last 2
years putting my thoughts and ideas together in a  book. I am very proud of the results and to assist with the marketing, I am asking friends and family to help me out.

I believe my new book on golf gives the reader valuable playing tips and
insider information that I have gained through my years of struggle and
experience. I’m hopeful you find this a useful tool to help you enjoy your
game that much more as you enjoy the great outdoors.

Chapter 1 – How to Properly Line Up Your Fourth Putt.

Chapter 2 – How to Hit a Nike from the Rough, when you Hit a Titleist from
the tee.

Chapter 3 – How to Avoid the Water When You Lie 8 in a bunker.

Chapter 4 – How to Get More Distance off the Shank.

Chapter 5 – When to Give the Ranger the Finger.

Chapter 6 – Using Your Shadow on the Greens to Maximize Earnings.

Chapter 7 – When to Implement Handicap Management.

Chapter 8 – Proper Excuses for Drinking Beer Before 9:00 a.m.

Chapter 9 – How to Rationalize a 6 Hour Round.

Chapter 10- When Does A Divot become classified as Sod.

Chapter 11 – How to Find That Ball That Everyone Else Saw Go in the water.

Chapter 12 – Why your Spouse Doesn’t Care That You Birdied the 5th..

Chapter 13- Using Curse words Creatively to Control  Ball Flight.

Chapter 14-When to Let a Foursome Play through Your Twosome.

Chapter 15 – How to Relax When You Are Hitting five off the Tee.

Chapter 16 – When to Suggest Major Swing Corrections to Your Opponent.

Chapter 17 – God and the Meaning of the Birdie-to-Bogey Three Putt.

Chapter 18 – When to Regrip Your Ball Retriever.

Chapter 19- Throwing Your Clubs: An Effective  stress-Reduction Technique.

Chapter 20 – Can You Purchase a Better Golf Game?

Chapter 21-Why you always get that 30 foot putt… For an 8  ?

Thanking you in advance for your order.

When the old golfer died, Peter met him at the gates of heaven.
"Sorry, old man," Peter said, "But I can't let you in. You see
the big book here says you committed one unpardonable sin back
in 1978 -- You took the Lord's name in vain during a golf game." 

"Oh, yes. I'll never forget that one, and I'm terribly sorry
Peter, but I can explain...", the old golfer blithered. 

"Well," said Peter, "You'll have to take it up with The Big Guy." 

So Peter led the old golfer down a long golden hallway, to God's
office. "We've got another code 6 here, sir! Says he can explain..." 

"So," booms God, "You've been taking my name in vain." 

"Only once, your Almighty, Sir. But I can explain!" 

"OK. Try me, " replied the Lord. 

"Well you see sir, I was playing my best game of golf ever, and
I made it to the 18th hole, and I'd win the tournament if I could
just make par on this hole. I made my shot from the tee, and it
was sailing beautifully, when suddenly the wind shifted, and took
my ball off into the woods, and right behind this enormous oak tree..." 

"And that's when you took my name in vain?" 

"Oh, no, sir! I just took out my 6 iron and knocked that ball
clear out of the woods with one swing! It was gliding beautifully
toward the green, when suddenly it lost speed, and dropped into
a sand trap, right smack in the middle of a deep hole..." 

"So, that is when you took my name in vain?" 

"No, not then. I just took out my nine, and with one swing, drove
that ball right onto the green, and it rolled within two inches
of the hole..." 

"Don't tell me you missed a goddamn two inch putt!"

Spring Hotels,  who are a major chain of 4* Hotels throughout Tenerife held their 2nd annual golf tournament at Golf Del Sur golf course on  Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd of May 2009 attracting some 110 competitors, both men and women, of all handicap levels from all over the Island of Tenerife and beyond. Both my Wife and I had the pleasure in playing both days in this most prestigious event.

No hurry guys its a nice day !

On arrival at Golf Del Sur we were met at the reception area by representatives of Spring hotels where we registered and were each  given from the sponsors  a lovely “goodie” bag containing a hat, pen, soaps, T-shirt and golf balls .

We were then given our buggy keys and score cards, all the hard work on them had already done for us,  by working out how many shots each competitor got by handicap, thanks to the Golf Del Sur staff.

The Sun was shining for this competition

The format on Day 1 was a pairs competition, the better ball format was used,whereby both players play and the best score at each hole using the stableford scoring system was used. This brought in some great scoring with one pair managing some 48 points.

Day 2 was for the Canada cup an individual stableford event.

The scoring system  for day two was  individual and the scores for each pair were counted then added to the first days score. Both days we were given super hospitality at the 9th hole which was appreciated by all competitors I am sure.

Hospitality was supplied at the 9th hole

To round off two great days of golf, fellowship and fun there was a cocktail party and prize giving on the final day.The prizes were some of the best I have ever seen at any event. Spring Hotels had organised from various sponsors a variety of prizes including overseas trips, plane tickets, All-inclusive hotel stays,  ferry tickets, blackberry phones, Large ham, Montblanc gifts,and many cases of wine.

The Course was in great order

How did we do ? Well as I had a bad back I did not so well, but my Wife came 4th overall so she won one of the two night stays at the Costa Los  Gigantes Spa and resort hotel and a beautiful trophy, which I may add put all my trophies to shame. So well done her, and as her prize was for two I will be going to Los Gigantes with her. I am looking forward to my visit as the facilities look first class and I have heard the food is great.

They had a fantastic raffle in which some of the top prizes were included, having watched it I think its fair to say most couples won something . To make matters worse my wife also won a case of wine in the raffle afterwards, me I won nothing ! … But I for one, god willing,  will be entering this fine competition again next year…

This chain of Italian pizzerias and restaurants has a large and popular location in the El Trompo commercial centre, next door to the La Villa (Al Campo) shopping centre in San Jeronimo, the lower area of La Orotava. As there is plenty of seating, both inside and out on the patios overlooking the Orotava Valley, you should have no problem finding a free table as well as a parking spot right outside the door.  There is also a take-away service. Highchairs are available inside for seating small children.

The menu possibilites are great, with several pages of traditional Italian pastas and pizzas as well as other options. Half portions of most dishes are also possible, priced at three-quarters the full price. The full size portions are very large. Here are some examples:

Solomillo Roquefort €15.25, Revuelto (scramble) of egg, spinach and smoked salmon €9.40, Salad Caprichosa €8.50, Pizza Cuatro Estaciones (Four Seasons) €8.40, Pizza prices run from €6.25 to €9.95. Oriquiette in Gorgonzola Sauce €7.25, Spaghetti Bolonese €7.25, Tiramisu €4.05, 1 glass house wine €2.10, 1 bottle Dorada beer €1.80, 1/2 litre agua con gas €1.80, 1 cafe cortado €1.25.

You can spot the shopping centre by the large sign on the roof. Trompo translates as ‘spinning top’ (child’s toy) and there is a cutout of one on the roof, next to the name.

My comment: Food is good and pizzas have that authentic Italian flavour due to their traditional wood burning ovens. 

Service is prompt and efficient, but do check your bill carefully, as mistakes have been made on ours a couple of times during very busy hours.

Open every day from 12:45 to 00:30. Telephone 922 326 868.

Address: C.C. El Trompo, Local 9, 38300 La Orotava.

Here is a link to a webpage – in Spanish – with more menu options and photos.   (http://www.larutadelbuenyantar.com/norte_2.html)

Canarybird Visit….My Site

No matter your handicap or amount of golf you play, one of the easiest ways to keep your swing tempo and distances consistent is to have a pre-shot routine. It is something that all Professionals on tour do, whether be drawn out or a quick swing of the club.

A notable candidate for his pre-shot routine is Miguel Ángel Jiménez. He always takes a practice swing first , lines up the clubhead behind the ball second, then aligns the rest of his body and makes a couple of short wrists movements behind the ball. From here he has established his tempo, target, and movement he needs to make at impact.

Next time you are on the practice range or on the tee, think about your pre-shot routine and make a concerted effort to repeat this before every shot. You will be surprised how much better your concentration and performance will be.

April 3rd and 4th 2009 saw the start of the inaugural Ryder Copa,the idea behind it was to bring together the two separate clubs within the Golf Del Sur golf course for a bit of fun but competitive golf and fellowship, with the UK and Ireland playing Spain. The squad from each team was made up of 24 members from The UK & Ireland,that being the members club at Golf Del Sur against 24 members from the Spanish Team Amigolf also from Golf Del Sur.

The Format

The tournament was played over two days at Golf Del Sur golf course .On day one the weather started off nice but became a bit cooler and overcast but by the mid afternoon the weather brightened up into a nice evening. Day two saw a much more windier  day but the sun shone for the duration.

Day one in the morning was the 2 ball better ball match play with 12 players from each side playing in four balls and in the afternoon we had foursomes match play again with 12 players from each team. Giving a total of 48 players on day one

The results

Day one

Morning session : 8.34 tee off  was the “ball better ball match play” with some 24 competitors taking part,they went out in 4 balls 2 from each team over 6 groups.I was given the honour of hitting the very first ball on the first day of the first ever Tenerife Ryder Copa an honour I readily  wont forget.The score when we went in for lunch was 3.5 to Europe and 2.5 to Spain.

Afternoon session: 14.26 tee off was the foursomes match play with another 24 taking place 12 from each side.

“In a foursome match , two play against two and each side plays one ball. In a foursome during any stipulated round, the partners play alternately from the teeing grounds and alternately during the play of each hole” .

Many had never played this format and it proved a lot of fun and some head scratching by all involved. The score after this section was 3 to Europe to 3 to Spain.

The day overall score was Europe 6.5 to Spain’s 5.5, so not much in it going on to the next day both sides had it all to play for.

What I particularly liked about the whole competition was the difference in skill levels from a low 5 handicap player to the highest handicap player of 24 and the age difference, we had a young lad of just 16 years old playing on the Saturday and also a more mature competitor of some 78 years old,  all of whom gave their all for their respective teams and in no way let their side down.

Day two

The Singles: 09.30 tee off. The Saturday seen the all important singles matches in which every 0.5 point counted , all the competitors knew that, for their respective team to win they would have to try their best half or win their game.

We played in four balls to allow us to get all 24 singles matches finished in time and to get  the results correlated to allow time for a late presentation lunch at 4pm.

The first game with no one in front raced round in just under 4 hours but as the competition got closer and fiercer  some groups took just over 5 hours to finish.

With about half the singles matches finished the score stood at 6.5 to Spain and 7.00 to Europe, remember Europe had a  1 point win to carry forward from yesterday,  it was imperative the players still out on the course held their nerve and their lead or if down tried their hardest to pull something out the hat for the sake of their respective teams.

With only 4 games out on the course it could go either way, what more could you ask for, a nail biting finish, in this the first time the event has been played.

The Result

In the end victory came Europe’s way wining by just 1 point over their Spanish rivals, the final score being Europe 18.5 points to Spain’s 17.5 points every competitor gave their best and it could be seen by the jubilation and relief on the faces of some whilst others seemed a bit down but all agreed the two days had been the best many have had in their long or short golfing career.

Game over now Lunch and the presentation

Win or loose almost all the competitors came to the lunch which was hosted at Golf Del Sur in their marvellous dining room,with all the tables set out in an almost Royal form and with wine on them and free beer for all. It was a buffet style meal with a large indoor BBQ on which they had Pork , Lamb and Chicken also a large salad table with all the accompaniments’ followed by a sweet table and cheese with coffee, all even the most hungry and thirsty golfer could handle.

We all  sat down round the dinner table and enjoyed a meal and a drink together, whither we could speak each others language or not, we all got on well and played to the spirit of friendship and to the rules of golf over the two days. I for one got a lot out of it as I am sure others did too..

I must mention the green staff  who done a wonderful job with the course as over the two days it was in super condition and to all the reception and marshalling staff who all kept the whole thing running smoothly.

Presentation of the Cup.

A welcome speech was given by the Director of Golf Del Sur Snr Nacio Cano Ortiz, a man who helped out with the starters job and I also roped him into being the official photographer as the teams went out and once his starting duties were over he drove round the course taking photo’s of both teams in action,for this we all thank him.

Then a presentation was given by the respective club captains Mr Gwyn Evans and Snr Jose Mi Periquet.

Snr Periquet addressed the audience in Spanish and to the delight of all tried and did a great job of welcoming us all in English, Gwyn replied to him in English with the odd Spanish word but Maca was on hand to translate for both teams.

The Cup was handed over to the victors and both teams posed for team photos. The day then drew to a close with all going their own way with the thoughts in their heads, if only I had done this or that but whatever their thoughts were one thing was for sure they all, god willing, they all want to be in that team next year……

Did you know?
The Ryder Cup trophy is solid gold and weighs 4lbs (1.8kg). It cost £250 in 1927 and measures 17 inches high by 9 inches wide. The figure on top is Abe Mitchell.

Golfing In Tenerife the blog started off some four months ago now, it was started to give me something to do in my spare time, as one can only golf so much, I love it. Golfing in Tenerife has became popular with many coming back time after time, I thought I may not have enough to fill a few pages but find myself involved in the subjects Golf and blogging that now seem never ending.

Sir Old Golfer still a handsome lad

I had never been involved in Blogs, had never really read any, thought they were a bit nerdy, but as I got more into it there are some great Blogs around and some very talented people behind them. Canarybird my restaurant guide writer is one for sure.

I have had some help along the way from other Bloggers, and great advice its been too, with regards SEO and have spent hours trying to learn how to optimise my blog, to this end I see no easy option, but one must improve listings by content and workload. I have never paid or signed up for any “help” but have plodded along, learning as I go and to be honest I have enjoyed every minute although at times it has felt a bit like a lost cause.

So where does Golfing in Tenerife go from here, Why upwards and onwards, I know there’s lots more to write about and I hope you are there to read my stories. This week I am involved in the Spring Hotels  Golf Tournament over two days at Golf Del Sur, Golf Course so I will have a full report on that coming up, just hope I win one of there great prizes……..

Sir Old Golfer

Its been confirmed European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomery and American veteran John Daly will both participate in this year’s Open d’Espana at the PGA Golf de Catalunya course in Girona.

The event, which begins on April 30th, will involve a number of the European Tour’s most recognisable figures. Manuel Angel Jimenez will be taking part in the tournament, as will former Major winner Paul Lawrie. They will be joined by Anders Hansen, Paul McGinley and Gregory Bourdy, as well as a host of other star names.
Montgomerie and Daly needed invites to the competition, but will be welcome additions to the field. John Daly will be playing in his first event since receiving a ban for poor behaviour by PGA Tour officials.

“Pato Laqueado Pekin” Chinese Restaurant

(The Laquered Peking Duck)

This pleasant little Chinese restaurant is located in the La Paz area of Puerto de a Cruz, at the far end of Calle Aceviño on the ground floor of Edificio Mar y Cumbre. Open seven days a week from 12:00 to 16:00 and 18:00 to 24:00 this restaurant has ample parking outside and attractive cloth-clad tables in the roomy interior.

Prices are reasonable with combo meals for one starting at € 5.95, a menu for six priced at € 60.50 and several choices in a childrens’ menu for € 3.75.

  There is a large à la carte menu as well as take-away service. Examples of à la carte : Chicken chow mein €4.45, Sweet & Sour Pork € 4.65, Chicken with Almonds € 4.65, Sweet & Sour Prawns € 8.35,

Fried Rice Three Delicias € 2.95. Their spring rolls are good and generous in size with a price  € 1.15 each.of onlySpecialty of the house are the eleven different duck dishes, priced from € 10.75 to €11.95.

Topping the list is the ‘Duck Special of the House at € 28.05, which must be ordered in advance.

I was there the other evening with three friends and we ordered the menu combo for three persons, at € 27.50, adding an extra spring roll and dessert for the fourth person, with a bottle of wine (€ 6.25) and a beer (€ 1.50). With tip it worked out to around twelve Euros each for our dinner.

Service was efficient and discreet, with both English and Spanish spoken by the young lady who attended us. I think I will also come here for a takeaway meal on days when we prefer to dine at home since it’s so easy to find a parking space right outside the door.

The location is on the same street as Supermercado 2000 (Spar), around the corner on the right and at the far end, after passing Hotels Masaru, Teidemar, Riu Bonanza and Riu Canarife.

Recommended for a quiet lunch or dinner with good food,  good service and easy parking.

Calle Aceviño s/n Edif Mar y Cumbre, Pto. De la Cruz .

Open every day 12:00 – 16:00 & 18:00 – 24:00

Telephone: (922) 373 489

Canarybird Visit  My Site

 This is normally a Golf only site but I bowed to pressure and accepted this little man…Sorry Purists

His name is Basil and we love him to bits, His mum and dad have went to a concert in Santa Cruz, these dam youngsters, and left us in charge of young Basil….I am coping well but Lady Old Golfer does fuss a bit…

Normally this is a golf only site but for Basil one must make an exception…

Better Photo’s will be posted tomorrow as we go on our jaunts.I promise !

The Golf Clubs of Golf Del Sur, Adeje and Amarilla played in the Inter Club Summer Golf Challenge which started on Tuesday 21st April and of course Golfing in Tenerife was there, I had the privilege of playing with Snr Edwardo Tavio, one of the familly of the owners of the Amarilla Golf Club which I featured Here in an earlier post. Snr Tavio and his partner won their game over me and my partner Mr David Ellwell , but we await the next game where all going well, I will be in better form.

16 competitors from each club are chosen to compete on behalf of their club in a better ball match play competition, they play twice at each course during the summer period. I will be playing for the Golf Del Sur team.
The first of the six matches was played at Golf del Sur,weather was beautiful but in the home teams favour as the wind got up a bit, we had a small buffet afterwards which was enjoyed by all.

1st tee Nerves ?                                                     Afterwards all pals

After the first tournament the scores are as follows

Golf Del Sur 6 points

Amarilla Golf 5 points

Adeje Golf 1 point

The next match is at Amarilla Golf Club next month, so all to play for ! Come on Lads no beer this time the night before…..

The Canarian Tourism authorities want to see more golfers here in the islands, so to that effect they have doubled the islands golfing advertising budget.The advertising will be targeted at the English and German market but also looking at emerging markets such as Croatia and Slovenia.

I am sure this will have some effect, but think, is it enough? or is it too late when one sees how Turkey, Ireland,The Algarve and the Costa del Sol have all been actively trying to get their act together by encouraging tour operators, improving facilities, running very professional advertising campaigns and reducing prices.

Marketing is one thing but the golf courses themselves here must try to do more to attract a diminishing market due to the recession in Europe and the high rate of the Euro.I am afraid the gravy train days are over, and only the strongest may survive.

It’s not often you find a restaurant that will make a fresh paella, including mussels and shrimps in the shell, for one person alone.

But at the Aguamarina you will find that and many other fish and shellfish dishes, as well as a full menu at economical prices.

Located in The Canary Centre on the main carretera Botanico leading in and out of Pto. de la Cruz, and across the street and down from the Hotel Botanico, this open air awning-covered terrace restaurant is open every day except Saturdays.

There’s a two course menu special for €8.90 which includes drinks, dessert and bread with much to choose from, including garlic prawns, spaghetti bolognese, grilled steak or cherne fish.  Their salad ingredients are grown on their own farm.

The all day breakfast menu lists seventeen types of egg dishes, averaging €3.50 including toast, butter and jam and a breakfast at €3.00.

There’s a full tapas menu as well as a choice of pastas and pizzas.

More prices: Pork Escalope in Pepper Sauce with chips and salad €5.90; small mixed salad for one €1.50; Mixed Fish Grill for 2 persons €15.00;

Spaghetti à la Carbonara €6.00;  Beef Stroganoff €8.50; Fillet Steak with Bearnaise Sauce €8.50; Sole with Shrimp Sauce €8.50; Paella for One €7.50; (for two €15.00); 1 glass of house wine €1.50; 1 bottle Dorada beer €1.50; cafe cortado €1.00.

Opening Hours from 11:00 am until 11:00 pm. Closed all day Saturday but open every other day including Sundays.

Located in The Canary Centre Shopping on the main Carretera Botanico road, Puerto de la Cruz.

Recommended for casual outdoor dining and seafood at very reasonable prices.

Canarybird…..My Site

If you really want to get better at golf, go back and take it up at a much earlier age. 

Don’t buy a putter until you’ve had a chance to throw it. 

Never try to keep more than 300 separate thoughts in your mind during your swing. 

When your shot has to carry over a water hazard, you can either hit one more club or two more balls. 

If you’re afraid a full shot might reach the green while the foursome ahead of you is still putting out, you have two options: you can immediately shank a lay-up or you can wait until the green is clear and top a ball halfway there.. 

The less skilled the player, the more likely he is to share his ideas about the golf swing. 

No matter how bad you are playing, it is always possible to play worse. 

The inevitable result of any golf lesson is the instant elimination of the one critical unconscious motion that allowed you to compensate for all of your many other errors 

Everyone replaces his divot after a perfect approach shot. 

A golf match is a test of your skill against your opponents’ luck. 

It is surprisingly easy to hole a fifty foot putt . For a 10. 

Counting on your opponent to inform you when he breaks a rule is like expecting him to make fun of his own haircut. 

Nonchalant putts count the same as chalant putts 

It’s not a gimme if you’re still away. 

The shortest distance between any two points on a golf course is a straight line that passes directly through the center of a very large tree. 

You can hit a two acre fairway 10% of the time and a two inch branch 90% of the time. 

Since bad shots come in groups of three, a fourth bad shot is actually the beginning of the next group of three. 

When you look up, causing an awful shot, you will always look down again at exactly the moment when you ought to start watching the ball if you ever want to see it again. 

Every time a golfer makes a birdie, he must subsequently make two triple bogeys to restore the fundamental equilibrium of the universe. 

If you want to hit a 7 iron as far as Tiger Woods does, simply try to lay up just short of a water hazard.

To calculate the speed of a player’s downswing, multiply the speed of his back-swing by his handicap; I.e., back-swing 20 mph, handicap 15, downswing = 300 mph. 

One of my personal favorites:
There are two things you can learn by stopping your back-swing at the top and checking the position of your hands: how many hands you have, and which one is wearing the glove. 

Hazards attract; fairways repel. 

A ball you can see in the rough from 50 yards away is not yours. 

If there is a ball on the fringe and a ball in the bunker, your ball is in the bunker. If both balls are in the bunker, yours is in the footprint 

It’s easier to get up at 6:00 AM to play golf than at 10:00 to cut the grass.

A good drive on the 18th hole has stopped many a golfer from giving up the game. 

Golf is the perfect thing to do on Sunday because you always end up having to pray a lot. 

A good golf partner is one who’s always slightly worse than you are….that’s why I get so many calls to play with friends. 

If there’s a storm rolling in, you’ll be having the game of your life. 

Golf balls are like eggs. They’re white. They’re sold by the dozen. And you need to buy fresh ones each week. 

It’s amazing how a golfer who never helps out around the house will replace his divots, repair his ball marks, and rake his sand traps. 

If your opponent has trouble remembering whether he shot a six or a seven, he probably shot an eight (or worse).

Wonderful, Riveting, Exciting, Fascinating  are the words I use to describe the most thrilling Masters from Augusta in years, the last day course set up was a bit easier than normal and that led to one of the most thrilling climaxes I can remember.

There were some unbelievable shots, some great shots, some normal shots and some downright bad shots but put them all together and you had some 7 hours of seat hugging TV. The big two were on a run and at one stage I thought Phil Mickleson was going to do it, then a loose shot into the water, showed him as a mere mortal.

Kenny Perry kept his nerve till the 17th, then dropped shots on both the 17th and 18th making him finish level  with Chad Campbell the club house leader. Whilst Angel Cabrera kept just kept his head down went for the Par’s and came into the club house tied with the other two to make it  a three man play off.

On the first play off hole Chad Campbell and Perry pull both their second shots  right, after great drives, Cabrera stuck his second in the centre of the green. Perry hit a sweet chip close which he holed, while Campbell from the bunker failed to get up and down so he was out.

Cabrera and Perry went to the 10th, the second play off hole, the upshot of which was Perry bogied and Cabrerra pared to claim the famous Green Jacket and a place in Masters History as the first ever Argentinean to win.

RESTAURANTE LA ESENTZIA

This is one lovely little restaurant that I can highly recommend for when you want to enjoy exquisite dining in an intimate setting at a very reasonable price. Located at No. 40 on the main Botanico road leading in and out of Pto. de la Cruz, it’s on the same side of the street and just a few steps down from the Hotel Botanico and although it is a recent newcomer to this neighbourhood, it has already begun to make its mark as a newly-discovered gem.

                  The exterior                                The entrance to dining rooms

The food is artfully presented and with the first taste, you will realize that chef-owner Raúl Brito has a special gift for creating beautiful food from seasonal ingredients. Menus are varied according to the available fresh provisions. He doesn’t use any frozen food. There is a 3-course daily luncheon menu priced at €13.90, and an evening daily dinner menu priced at €23.00. These menus also change from day to day.

And of course, there is the à la carte menu with interesting, delicious-sounding creations such as…’puff pastry stuffed with spinach sauce with goat cheese’…(€7.70)…, from the list of Vegetarian Dishes, or …’fillet of cherne in saffron sauce, with sautéed vegetables on a bed of risotto aromatized with macadamia nuts’ …(€13.50)…(see photo), charcoal grilled sirloin in bacon sauce with scalloped potatoes and vegetables…(€14.00)… (see photo), or the magnificent dessert I had the other day at the Friends of Tenerife charity luncheon held there…’ dulce de leche with Balinese vanilla sauce, almond croquant and caramel strands’ …(€3.50)… (see photo). When a table of chattering women suddenly goes silent, you know it’s because the food is so good it stops all conversation.

             Fillet of cherne                               Cod toast with salad

  The restaurant will also be holding special event story-telling evenings once a month in which a menu will be designed around a theme related to the entertainment and reservations will be taken after it is publicly announced.

Private groups and parties are welcomed with flexible menus and group prices to be arranged with Raúl.

Regular opening hours are 12:00 – 16:00 and 19:00 – 23:00. Closed Sunday evenings and all day Mondays. Smoking is permitted. Telephone 922 385 253.

Highly recommended as a really special dining experience.

Canarybird….My Site

Pizzeria/Restaurante Zebra Maria

Located on the main Carretera Botanico in the La Paz area of Puerto de a Cruz, across the street and down from the Hotel Botanico is the Pizzeria-Restaurante Zebra Maria.

A popular restaurant for over 25 years, it has been one of the few that stays open through from 13:00 until 23:30.

The four separate dining areas are comprised of: the outer patio and side enclosed gallery, both which are smoking areas, to the windowed porch at the entrance and the interior dining room which are smoke-free.

Here you will see groups of both Spanish locals and tourists ordering from their menu of pizzas, pastas and international food.

Along with your drinks comes a starter dish of cheese, olives, maiz and chorizo nibbles . Good for a starter are the thick rounds of toasted garlic bread.

Thin, crispy pizzas come in seven varieties, ranging in price from €6.00 to €8.00. My favourite is the Pizza Cariñosa, with onion, chicken, cheese and ham.One dish which has been on the menu for many years is the Escalope Zebra Maria, a pork schnitzel topped with baked banana, bechamel and gravy, served with chips and cole slaw. I especially like the shrimp cocktail, which is served in an elegant presentation bowl.

The Sole Tout Paris, similar to the Sole Walesa, is topped with shrimp, lobster sauce, bechamel and piped potato. Spaghetti a la carbonara is another dish they do well. The thick vegetable soup topped with egg, “Sopa de Lupita” is delicious and is almost a meal in itself.

Solomillo Robin Hood is another good dish, accompanied by mushrooms, chips and gravy. Dame Blanche is a rich chocolate ice cream dessert.

Some prices: Solomillo €14.00; Sole Tout Paris €12.50; Escalope Zebra Maria €10.50; Shrimp Cocktail €10.50; Spaghetti a la Carbonara €7.75; Two bratwurst sausages with potatoes and red beet salad €7.00; Eggs, bacon, tomato, fries €5.00; Garlic Bread €3.00; 1 CCC beer €2.00; Glass of house wine €2.50; Cafe cortado or solo €1.30.

The service can sometimes be a little slow, so go there when you have plenty of time.

Otherwise I would recommend this restaurant, especially for the dishes mentioned.

During shopping hours, you can use the pay parking lot next door at Supermarket 2000 (Spar.)

Pay parking charges inside supermarket or free if you buy something there.

Zebra Maria -  Telephone: 922 381855

Canarybird. My Site.

Golf can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle,
followed by a good pint of beer. 

Golf! You hit down to make the ball go up. You swing
left and the ball goes right. The lowest score wins. 
And on top of that, the winner buys the drinks 

If you find you do not mind playing golf in the rain,
the snow, even during a hurricane, here’s a valuable
tip: your life is in trouble. 

Golfers who try to make everything perfect before
taking the shot rarely make a perfect shot. 

The term ‘mulligan’ is really a contraction of the
phrase ‘maul it again.’ 

A ‘gimme’ can best be defined as an agreement
between two golfers …neither of whom can putt
very well too cheat.

An interesting thing about golf is that no matter how
badly you play; it is always possible to get worse. 

Golf’s a hard game to figure. One day you’ll go out
and slice it and shank it, hit into all the bunkers and miss
every green. The next day you go out and for no
reason at all you really stink. 

If your best shots are the practice swing and the
‘gimme putt’, you might wish to reconsider this game. 

Golf is the only sport where the most feared opponent
is you. 

Golf is like marriage: If you take yourself too
seriously it won’t work, and both are expensive.

The best wood in most amateurs’ bags is the pencil.

Come off the TF1 at junction 24 and follow the signs down to the Golf Course, on arrival you notice right away that there is a new infrastructure going on all over the Amarilla area with the building of new roads and houses .In fact the road down to the course is almost as good as the TF1 having been newly upgraded and the views on the way down are wonderful over the ocean.

The day I went in mid January the weather was not the normal Tenerife south weather, it was a cloudy overcast day but dry and about 17 deg so nothing to complain about if you come from Northern Europe but for us locals we tend to wear a jumper and long trousers.

I entered the reception area and was met by a charming young lady called Vicky dressed in her Amarilla uniform of moss green polo shirts and trousers, which all the girls wore on reception very smart indeed and all multilingual as you would expect from a Golf course of this standard.

This championship course hosted a European tour event in 1990 namely the Tenerife Open it plays some 5846 meters off the back tees with a par of 71 it was designed by Donald Steel in 1989. The view from the first hole tee is quite daunting a narrow fairway with out of bounds down the right as it runs parallel to the driving range, with a spectacular view down to the first green the Atlantic ocean in the background, a tricky Par 4 at 380 metres and a good hole to get your round started if you get a par. Whilst on the first tee if you happen to look back you get a fantastic view over the mountain range including mount Teide which rises to 3,718m at its highest point, making it Spain’s highest peak and at this time of the year usually has snow on it.

The signature hole of the course must be the 5th a par 3 of only115 meters, but as you are at sea level and you are normally hitting into the prevailing wind, one actually plays over the ocean as the waves pound into the rocks causing a white wall of water swirling round the cove, a very tricky little hole which gets the nerves going of many a good golfer to that end their ball ends up in the ocean. Some days a 9 iron will make the carry more often or not you could be down to a 6 iron.

The course is surrounded by many “barrancos” or small ravines and rocky, volcanic areas. When Donald Steel first came here to build this course he must have wondered if it would have been possible when you see the rough terrain all around the extremities of the course and with a very limited yearly rain fall, but design it he did and has made a wonderful job of what nature laid out for him, with plenty of borrows and rolls with mountain and ocean views.

Your hat must take your hat off for all the green keeping staff because although the sun shines here almost every day they use lots and lots of water, which I believe is all recycled, as fresh water on the island is a very precious commodity and not to be used for leisure purposes. To keep this vast area green and in playable condition must be enormous and a very skilled job and when I was there the greens were running very fast and true although they did have some problem with the 17th green but it seemed on hand with a full reseed of the bottom half of the green.

Winter prices for visitors was 80 Euro per person but they do an after 2pm special price of 72 Euro another more economical way to play if you are going to play more than once is to ask about their Bono tickets. Buggy hire costs 30 Euro or trolleys at 4 Euro for 18 holes. Club hire was also available at 15 Euro for a standard set and with Callaway X series being 35 Euro per set. A handicap of 28 for men and 36 for women is required and the dress code is smart golfing apparel with shoes on soft spikes only which can be changed at the club house.

The course also has a full driving range with bunker and chipping areas as well as long range practice area. As you would expect from this facility it has attached to it two professionals, one of which is a well known player within the islands, Snr Javier Toll Messìa, himself playing on the Challenge tour they offer lessons on all aspects of your game. The cost is ½ hour 25 Euro or 1 hour 45 Euro per person they will also teach husband and wife, or small groups.

The Amarilla complex also has an excellent well maintained small tricky little nine hole pitch and putt course ideal for brushing up on your short game, maybe after a lesson, or for taking a youngster the cost is 13 euro including a trolley. If you can par this course you deserve a drink in the bar.

The 19th tee bar area is encompassed within the clubhouse where they also house a modern reception area with multi lingual staff and also a pro shop selling all the latest woman and gents golf fashion items along with shoes and balls, they also have a selection of Amarilla merchandise like ball markers, pitch repairers to enable you to remember your game here. The whole clubhouse eating and drinking area has nice comfy table and chairs with delightful views over the 1st tee down to the ocean. Food and drink are served all day and they have a snack menu to suit all tastes.

There is a lot of building going on around the course, with many of this project now completed; they have enhanced the area as a whole, with more people around the area and many restaurants and bars springing up. With the new road I mentioned earlier, all in all, Amarilla could be the next up and coming area especially as there is now a new marina with 350 berths of all sizes and plans to develop the area into a very upmarket tourist and commercial area. Here is the marinas own web site.

Whilst in the Amarilla area I took a run along the marina area to the lighthouse at the end of the pier and found it was a café called Bar De La Torres you go upstairs into a nice seating area where they sell food and drink all day, as its at the end of the pier the views looking over the ocean are breathtaking and then you turn round and you have the mountain range a full 360 deg vista and also the offices of Submarine safaris, a yellow submarine operator which takes people on an underwater adventure into the ocean here is their web site and also a jet ski safari operator.

Would I give Amarilla Golf Course a try now, yes I would they have got their act together and now have a smashing golf course and a very professional and pleasant back up team.They have their own web pages with more info Here..

I for one will be back.

Its his 3rd time out after his Knee surgery Tiger Woods, had a  5-stroke comeback on Sunday in the Arnold Palmer Invitational to win over Shaun O’ Hair by one shot, holing a 15-feet, 11-inches putt for Birdie and victory on the 18th hole. 

Woods  final-round 3-under-par 67 for his best round of the tournament. His  Sunday score gave him a winning total of 275, 5 under par.

With the Masters coming up he must be the bookies faviourite.

Restaurant San Diego

As you step out of your car at the bottom of the hill in El Rincon, where the wide TF 176 road meets the narrow crossroad which leads to Bollullo beach and where you see the two storey terracotta building on your right, you may detect the aromatic scent of eucalyptus wood smoke emanating from the grill in Restaurante San Diego.

Exterior and interior View of Restaurant San Diego

This is one of our favourite Canary-style places to dine.  It’s also well loved by friends who’ve lived here for years.  This is where we go when we want to indulge in a table filled with salad, papas arrugadas con mojo, the best pimientos de padron we’ve ever tried, garlic prawns (gambas al ajillo), local wine, wonderful bread toasted on the grill with garlic ali oli that is so good you almost forget to leave room for the second and third courses.

Some mouth watering garlic prawns and pimientos de padron

Here you can try some of their delicious morcilla – a black sausage made in the local way with honey and almonds, chicken flattened and grilled, drizzled with creamy garlic sauce, fish of the day or a plate of stewed chickpeas with pork ribs (garbanzos), a veal steak, chocos or roasted goats’ cheese with mojo sauce. There are so many good dishes on their menu.

(Russian potato salad)                            Chicken Flattened

and tuna croquette                                  And then Grilled

                                             Stewed Rabbit

                     Papas arrugadas                                        Lovely fresh Salad

One must not forget their ensaladilla rusa (Russian potato salad) and tuna croquettes, another favourite combo of mine.

The dessert cooler holds an assortment of puddings, flans, chocolate mousses and soufflés.

      Mouth watering deserts                        The Chef at his large grill

When we go there I always take a couple of lidded plastic containers because invariably we order more than we can finish, so a bit of morcilla, a couple of potatoes and crusty bread dipped in garlic ali-oli are often taken home for a late night snack.

The restaurant is up one flight of stairs and I understand the downstairs entrance has just been converted into a guachinche, or typical simple wine and food bar.

Upstairs is divided by a glass wall into smoking and non-smoking. The non-smokers have the area by the windows which overlook the banana fields and the sea.

Price we pay is usually around €15 per person, including local wine, beer and water,  without dessert.

Recommended as excellent for Canary-style food.  Service is efficient.  If going for lunch, best to get there before 2 pm to get a table near the window.

Opening hours are from 1 pm until 11 pm non-stop. Mondays closed.

Address: El Rincon 43, La Orotava. Telephone: 922 331 242

A local TITSA bus – No. 376 – every two hours from La Orotava bus station stops near the restaurant entrance.

(Canarybird) …Visit My Site here

The Peanuts Golf Society  originated in 1995.

And this is how it all got started :

The first Golf del Sur society was the ladies section. They  had problems with visitors driving into them and through them. The gentlemen being true Brits started booking the tee time behind them to prevent this happening.

There were four, Ken Gray, Ron Crawford, Don Uren and Don Edmonds. The four grew into eight and so on as more people became interested. A charge was instigated to play and the winner had free drinks in the Taberna Bar down on San Blas.

That carried on through 1995 and in February 1996 there were so many playing it was suggested they form a society.

They met in the Taberna and as they were always served a bowl of Peanuts with the drinks they decided to call it The Peanuts. That was on the 8th February 1996.

The format remained the same for a few weeks until it was suggested they have prizes rather than money or drinks.

Today the Peanuts goes from strength to strength attracting both gentleman members and visitors from all over the world to their competitions played every Thursday at Golf Del Sur Golf club at Golf Del Sur,Tenerife.

The format is normally stableford played over 18 holes, after the game they hold a small presentation with prizes for both members and visitors, the prize everyone wants is the famous Peanuts Polo shirt only given to the winner and runner up each week these cannot be bought but must be won in one of their competitions, all winning peanuts wear their won shirts on competition days many older members still wear their late 1990′s shirts on match days .

After the game members and visitors alike retire to the courtyard of the clubhouse for the prize presentation, any announcements and a small supper of chicken and chips in a basket at the cost of only 5 Euro. All drinks at this time are at happy hour prices with many of the lads taking full advantage and staying maybe a bit longer than they should, but the banter is great, if only I had have got that putt or if I had just missed that bunker on the 6th etc.

All in all a great day out with a nice bunch of lads, if you want any further information or would like to join in they have their own web site www.peanutsgolf.co.uk  and you just tell them you are coming out and they will book you in to their competitions.

Yesterday, my Wifie (Scots word),  Lady Old Golfer won outright the Bronze section in her Ladies Golf Club Championship at her local Golf course here in Tenerife. Ladies golf is a bit like trigonometry to me, I know its there, but don’t know much about it, but I am assured this was a great achievement .. 

So well done Lady Old Golfer, I am sure we will both enjoy your voucher prize… Now is my dinner ready ?

This was her taken after the event, you can see the look of achievement on her face, but wasp she was chewing was not so happy,  I surmise  !

I was in the process of re-gripping my clubs so I looked the Internet for the best prices for Golf grips. The Grip I decided on was the Golf Pride Multi Compound grip and the price was in the region of between £6.00 to £8.00 per grip in the UK, here in Tenerife they wanted about 7 to 10 Euros per grip, so 13 grips would cost about between 91 and 130 Euros fitted.

A bit more research and a  bit of time and I went to EBay and found this seller Gramola from the UK who sells the Sharpro Multi Compound Golf Grips, which by the way look identical to the Golf Pride ones, but cost a fraction of the price. In the end I checked some golf forums (Here is the link) for feed back on the Sharpro grips and the general consensus was that they were very much the same as the golf pride the main difference as far as I was concerned was the price I bought 13 Grips for just £23.00 delivered and I, with a bit of tape, will put them on myself, even if your unable to do it yourself the local Pro assistant I am sure would charge about £1.00 per grip to put them on, making your total cost to around £36.00 for 13 grips fitted.

I understand companies have to make profit, but for the life of me, I don’t see why the two products which seem so similar should be poles apart. I feel if the prices were more in line with the cheaper grip then more people would consider renewing their grips on a more frequent basis, giving more work and in the long run more profit to the club Pro.

Bar/Restaurant Botanico Palace

If you have been to visit the Botanical Gardens in Puerto de la Cruz (Jardin de Aclimatacion de la Orotava) and are feeling ready for lunch or dinner, you will find a good meal just across the street at the Bar/Restaurant Botanico Palace. Situated in the centre of the ground floor of the pink building, this popular restaurant opens at 8′oclock in the morning and closes at 12 midnight seven days of the week.

The outdoor terrace, shaded by green parasols, affords a peaceful view of verdant lawn and olive trees. Indoors, where smoking is permitted, you have a choice of small tables or seats at the long bar.

This is a family business with much experience. The restaurant owner’s father, who is also the chef, is a well know local man who used to run the Cafe Berliner in downtown Puerto de la Cruz.

The female waiting staff is friendly and efficient. Your food is on the table quickly and the whole impression one has is of a popular Spanish restaurant where many locals come to meet, eat and later play dominos and cards during the slower hours. There is a daily special on the chalkboard as well as a complete menu printed in several languages.

Today’s ‘menu del dia’ was shoulder of lamb with potatoes and vegetables for €10.50. Some of our favourite dishes there: Spaghetti with prawns & garlic €8.00, Filetsteak brochette €8.50,Breaded escalope of chicken €7.50, Filetsteak with peppersauce €12.50.

Breaded escalope of chicken                                                                        Spaghetti with prawns & garlic

I have to comment on the fact that the salad accompanying many dishes is always crisp, fresh and appetising and the serving of papas arrugadas to accompany a dish is a generous helping of six or more potatoes. Their mojo sauce is delicious!

    papas arrugadas                                                        Hake (Merluza)

Beef kebab

More prices: 1 Dorada beer €1.50, Ham omelette with salad €4.50, 1 glass house wine €1.50, Cafe cortado €1.00, Cafe con leche €1.50.

There is a dessert cooler filled with cakes, tiramisu, chocolate mousses and other treats as well as ice creams.

This is a nice place to go just for an unhurried coffee or drink with friends if you aren’t yet hungry. We always manage to find a parking space nearby in the street.

Opening hours: 8 am to 12 midnight, every day including Sundays.

Telephone: 922 372 526

Location – across the street from the Botanical Gardens, Puerto de la Cruz.

Highly recommended

(Canarybird) Visit my site here

Thinking of having a great round on the golf course can be a lot of mental work. The most important part of having a great round on the golf course begins with a few thoughts……..Question is where and how many? 

Preparing your mind for a great golf game can be quite time consuming and unhealthy, depending on where you start your mental game. Triggering your thoughts for a great game of golf should not be in the car on the way to the golf course. If you’re approaching a curve ahead of you going downhill on a slippery roadway, and you see a sharp curve ahead of you. Do you start thinking on how you are going to fly the bunker on the first hole? Trying to dream up a great game of golf in a coffee house can have your lips seared with hot coffee as well. Thinking of sinking that long 30-foot putt on the first hole, while having dinner out with your wife or girlfriend, could have that same coffee all over your lap. 

Trying to conjure up a great game of golf, while doing other things at the same time. Does not work!  No matter how good you are!  For some of us trying to play a golf hole in our mind is our way of preparing ourselves for the game to come. Thoughts on visualizing how you plan on conquering the fifth, or seventh golf hole that you always seem to have trouble with, could have you playing it over and over again in your mind, until you get it right. I think it gives us the self-satisfaction before we approach the notorious golf hole, that in our mind we have conquered the golf hole the night before. Have you ever lost sleep the night before trying to conjure up a great round of golf for the next day? 

The thoughts of having a great round of golf, and a good game plan, should start on the first tee box, looking down the fairway and visualizing the shot at hand. If you start thinking of anything other than where you want the ball to land on your shot at hand. You will find yourself scratching your head, and thinking of where you went wrong. 

Thoughts on a good game plan should be on your immediate task at hand. Most of us have been told to play one golf shot at a time. I think the same would apply on playing one golf hole at a time, taking one curve on the roadway ahead of you at a time, and taking one sip of coffee at a time, and leaving your golf game plan thoughts at home when you go out for dinner.

How many of you take your golf glove off after a round of golf and stuff it into your golf bag?

Well Being a Scot I will tell you how to make them last longer

The combination of your golf glove and sweat don’t mix well when you wad up your golf glove and stuff it into your golf bag. By doing that you reduce the life of your golf glove.

The next time you reach into your golf bag to pull out your golf glove you find a wad of hard leather. Combine this with the normal build-up of dirt and your golf glove can become kind of shinny and slick, which looses its effectiveness.

You can make your golf glove last longer if you do two things:

1. After a round of golf hang your golf glove out to dry. Find a way to clip it onto your golf bag. The easiest thing to do is wrap the glove around the golf bag strap.

2. When your golf glove becomes dirty and slick through it into the washer. Through it in with your clothes with cold water and mild soap.

Don’t put the golf glove in the dryer, but rather hang it up to dry so it doesn’t shrink. You’ll probably want to flatten the golf glove so it dries ready to be used the next time your out on the golf course.

Dirty Clubs !

It is common practice amongst club golfers to play with golf clubs caked in mud! A dirty club often means that the grooves on the club-face are filled in with mud. This has effect on the ball at impact (besides the extra weight). The point of the grooves is to create backspin as the ball runs up the face of the club at impact, which will keep the ball straight. Without this ‘grip’ the ball is more likely to fly with side-spin on it in the form of a slice or a hook. With short irons in particular it is this action that is responsible for stopping the ball quickly on a receptive green. Many amateurs should like to be able to make their ball spin back to the pin just like they see it on television – it is not easy, but you will certainly never achieve it with mud in the grooves!

Golf club cleaning

Golf club maintenance is easy and adds years of life to your set by simply keeping them clean and I think it gives a physiological advantage over an opponent just like dressing well and having clean shoes does. Read the rest of this entry »

Jill: “I just don’t understand the attraction golf holds for men.”

Mary: “TELL me about it! I went golfing with my ex one time, and he told me I asked too many questions !”

Jill: “Well, I’m sure you were just trying to understand the game. What questions did you ask ?”

Mary: “I thought I asked legitimate questions – like, “Why did you hit the ball into that lake ?”

Yes, this is the review of the new TaylorMade r9 Driver, it all sounds very exciting, till it comes to the price, here in Tenerife they want around 450 Euros for this club. Does no one realises there is  a recession on ?

Its too much for my blood but I think the price will plummet when some one wakes up to the fact that a golf club is not one of life’s necessities and in this global resession can be done without. On saying all that its a nicely designed club and I would love to own one.

The TaylorMade r9 Driver has three movable weighting ports with eight position settings allowing you to tune the head to create a desired flight and launch conditions. Read the rest of this entry »

Geoff Ogilvy beats Paul Casey 4 and 3, at the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship. Its not that Casey played bad, just on the day Ogilvy was on his game, I dont think anyone would have beaten him, his second shots into the green were like lasers. This is Ogilvy’s third World Golf Championships event wins, it started with 64 of the worlds best and on the day Ogilvy was that man.

Finishing with a final round of 66, Lorena Ochoa made up three strokes on third-round leader Paula Creamer to win the Honda LPGA Thailand for a three-stroke victory. Ochoa finished at 14-under 274 – shooting 71-69-68 the first three days – on the Siam Country Club’s Plantation Course, and earned $217,500, it was Ochoa’s 25th LPGA Tour title.

Well done that Lady

View from the club house down the 9th on the links Course

View from the 4th green looking down to tee on the North Course

Approach shot into the 7th on the North Course

Well my new toy a  arrived here in Tenerife safely, special thanks to Lady Old Golfer who brought it from Scotland , I bought the Bushnell Tour V2 its the world’s smallest, most advanced laser rangefinder – measuring a mere 1.6 x 2.8 x 4.3 in., weighing only 6.6 oz. and accurate 5 to 1,000 yards and comes  with a carrying case and straps.

Bushnell rangefinders have always been highly functional With the Tour V2, they have stepped up their game. Fitting their highly accurate optics and electronics into a palm sized device that looks sharp while taking up little space in your bag.

Range

Reflectivity: 1,000 Yards
Tree: 600 yards
Flag: 300 yards
Accuracy: +/- 1 yard

The Tour V2 provides instantaneous measurements in yards and meters with incredible +/- one yard accuracy.

Other product features include:

• 5x magnification
• SCAN mode
• In-view LCD display
• Adjustable eyepiece with stops
• Multi-coated optics
• Built-in tripod mount
• 3-volt battery included

Ease of use

It’s very simple and easy to use. It just requires a little understanding of how it works (although they give you full  instructions), so that one is reading the yardage to the correct object, especially in the Pin seeker mode. I can’t picture how anyone can regret buying this model. As I normally walk the course, the V2 is lightweight and the magnetic cover on the carrying case works very well, so that the case does not need to be zipped shut while walking a round. I don’t know how I ever played without a rangefinder before.

Here was my original Post……

Today I am having a session with this lady to improve my short game and relieve anxiety before I hit that short pitch or green side chip, I will keep you posted on how I get on. …….Here is the outcome of my treatment an interesting read

Are You Using The Wrong Club?

One of the biggest mistakes golfers make on the course is not using the right club. You can have a better short game, have more fun, and lower your score if you would just stick to a club which is the most comfortable for you when facing a specific shot. 

For example, if you are confident using a 7 iron club whenever hitting the ball from 35 yards in, then use it. Just because you may have read that an amateur or pro golfer prefers another club when facing the same scenario, or have seen a golf training video which stresses the use of a different iron, it doesn’t mean you have to follow their advice. Stick to what works, for you!

Short game success has just as much to do with your confidence and comfort levels as it does with technique and shot specifics. In time you will find what is called your “go to club” when playing through a specific shot. And when practicing your short game, those practice sessions should be focused around this club in order to improve at the fastest rate possible.

Stop Over-analyzing Everything

The reasons for choosing golf as your sport is to enjoy a game that is comfortable, confidence-building, and which is able to settle within your subconscious. This means avoiding the dreaded mistake over-analyzing everything. You must allow the game to come to you by just letting it happen.

The best thing you can do is develop a solid, consistent swing and grow your confidence with it. From that point on, the game of golf is simply hitting the ball towards the intended target, walking over and picking it up, and hitting it again, until you have reached the hole. 

This may seem like an oversimplification, and of course practice and preparation are important, but if you spend time analyzing every second of the game to the point of seriously frustrating yourself, you are on the wrong track. Rather, enjoy golf and use your energy to focus and concentrate when the time is needed instead of mulling over every minor detail.

Scoring Terms explained,  no I was not around when they came up with them !

The common used phrases in the game of golf are birdie, eagle and par. The word “bird” was a slang term in the 19th century that referred to anything considered remotely cool, still used today for women. So that term was used then for a great shot in a game of golf – one that led to a score under par – and was eventually turned into birdie. The word eagle followed with the same pattern as expected from the bird mentality. Par was used long before it became associated with the game of golf and basically meant something that was acceptable or average. The word simply became associated over time with the game of golf to indicate an ideal score among golfers.

You have all heard it but how many take heed ? Nobody is a naturally good putter, although some get lucky now and again, all the good putters I know practice and practice regularly.

Don’t putt with your wrists or hands, (Oh I do that ! No you bloody don’t) you have to use your shoulders like a pendulum and stand still, dont rock. Only use the big muscles, if your wrists break, you will not hit solid putts. Putts will most likely come up short, but sometimes you’ll blast one by six feet past ….Consistency breeds confidence.

So Tighten up those wrists and putt with your shoulders and I’ll guarantee you will hit more good putts. Now go out there and spend 30 minutes putting once a week and you will lower your scores quicker than wasting money on that new driver, you dont really need. No need to thank me just send cheques to the address listed. Here is the way the Scots do it

Tiger set  to make return at Accenture Match Play, The five-day tournament, which begins Wednesday, Feb. 25, will be Tiger’s first tournament since winning the U.S. Open last June at Torrey Pines. It will be 254 days in between the time Tiger won the U.S. Open in a Monday playoff  and the time he strikes his first tee shot Wednesday and hopefully he puts that special spark back into American golf. I don’t think he has entered this competition to be second, so look out the Tiger is back.