Mallorca- Golf Courses
PALMA AREA |
| BENDINAT |
| An undulating course where it is not always advisable to take the driver. Every hole is different and the course offers sea views as it winds its way through a beautfiul pine valley. The front nine winds through a residential area but the back nine are in part of a nature reserve and instead of exclusive villas and exclusive hotels you are more likely to see the mountain goats that are the Club's mascots. The downhill par 3, 12th hole, is a stunner as it is played from an elevated tee to a small green guarded by bunkers and water with a maginificent view across the bay of Palma as a backdrop. By no means a long course but one that will make you think and is usually in very good condition. A drink in the Clubhouse afterwards is a must as it is one of the nicest on the island. |
| CAMP DE MAR ANDRATX |
| Situated in the South West of the island approximately twenty minutes from Palma this is a tough test of golf featuring one of the longest holes in Europe, the 666 yard par 5, 6th hole. With water in play on several holes the best of which are the par 3 4th and the par 5, 18th. The 4th is 166 yards long played downhill across a lake with the hole surrounded by pine trees. The 18th is a fine finishing hole which you might reach in two but with water protecting the green on the left hand side you need to be on top of your game to give it a go. |
| GOLF PARK |
| This is a great golf course and in such good condition that it is hard to believe it has only recently opened. A typical Jack Nicklaus design with room to drive but very difficult second shots. Although the fairways look generous you need to position your ball to get the easiest shot into the well guarded greens. Many of the greens are elevated with very large bunkers in front of them. Water is a feature on several holes and it will often play to lay up rather than take on some of the carries required. No tricks or gimmicks here this is a great test of golf and if you visit Mallorca it is a must. |
| GOLF MAIORIS |
| Another new course which considering it only opened in 2006 is in very good condition. A fairly easy opening stretch the course gets more challenging the further you play. From the 4th hole onwards the course offers a challenge to players of all abilities. The 4th will be featured in many magazines as the island green is completely surrounded by water. Although a par 5 it will tempt you to go for the green in two but look out for the splash if you do not hit the perfect shot! The 10th hole is a stunner with a tight drive followed by a decision as to whether you can carry the ball over a stream and then the 3rd has to be played across a lake to a large green. The excellent clubhouse has a marvellous restaurant at reasonable prices. Visitors are not allowed at weekends. |
| SON ANTEM - EAST AND WEST |
| Part of the fabulous Marriott Resort the East is the easier of the two courses but still a good test of golf and well worth a visit. Water comes into play on three holes on the par 72 championship West course with the eighteenth hole being the best with water running the entire length on the left hand side. The majority of the holes meander through olive and pine trees. The East course is also a par 72 but slightly shorter in length but here again water is a hazard on the better holes. The 15th is the "signature" hole with the green guarded by two stretches of water. There are some of the best practice facilities on the island with chipping and pitching areas as well as a very large driving range. |
| SON MUNTANER |
Rightly regarded as one of the best courses on the island Son Muntaner is definitely on the short list of courses to play. Opened in 2000 the compact design offers a challenge for accurate tee shots and then to get close to the pin on the large greens requires excellent judgement of distance. The island's oldest olive tree is one of the features of the course near to the 15th tee and is supposedly over 1000 years old! There is a driving range and practice area and the huge clubhouse offers and excellent standard of cuisine. |
| SON QUINT |
Opened in 2007 this hilly challenging course is dotted with pine and olive trees . Situated only 10 minutes from Palma city centre and alongside Son Vida and Son Muntaner courses next to the Sheraton hotel Son Quint is well worth a visit . Thanks to its elevated position there are marvellous views to be had over the Bay of Palma and from the 8th tee you gaze at the spectacular cathederal in Palma . It is undulating rather then hilly and the large well contoured greens and variety of available tee positions offer a variety of challenges for golfers of all levels . There are two large lakes that come into play on several holes . |
| SON VIDA |
| The island's first golf course was opened in 1964 and renovated in 2001. Although short by modern standards (6,200 yards) it is still a tough par 71. The fairways are generous and there are several dog leg holes where accurate placement from the tee is required. The 18th is the stand out hole. A par 5 with the green guarded by water in the front a good drive can put you in reach of the green but it all carry across the water. Many of the tees offer spectacular views across the Bay of Palma. |
| SANTA PONSA |
| There are three courses on this complex but only the par 72 championship course is open to visitors. One of the older courses on the island having opened in 1977 it has hosted several professional tournaments being the home of the PGA Balearic Open for several years. In general the fairways are wide and generous and the majority of the greens are well guarded by bunkers and water comes into play on the inward 9. The par 4, 16th, is one of the island's best holes. A left to right dog leg par 4 of over 440 yards your drive and second shot have to avoid the lake on the right hand side. |
| PONIENTE |
| This par 72 course is one of the best designed on the island and also one of the oldest opening in 1978. Situated close to Magaluf and within an easy drive of Palma this is a challenging course where six water hazards come into play. The generous fairways wind through pine groves and Mediterranean fauna and the large fast greens require sound judgement of the second shot. |
COURSES IN THE NORTH AND EAST |
| CANYAMEL |
| Considered to be one of the most difficult courses on the island this par 73 is a challenge for golfgers of all levels. The course meanders through olive trees and pine forests and features water on several holes. |
| CAPDEPERA |
| Set in an impressive valley surrounded by mountains this par 72 is another very good course. Six artificial lakes come into play on several of the holes and the greens are some of the most undulating and elevated in Mallorca. |
| PULA |
| This par 72 is the current host of the Balearic Open and is a regular stop on the PGA Tour. A reasonably flat course where water comes into play on several holes. |
| ALCANADA |
| A spectacular coastline setting for this par 72 course offers amazing views over the Bay of Alcudia and the Sierra de Levant mountains. A typical Trent Jones design with several American style features though the proximity of the sea makes this the nearest to a links style course on the island. At over 7000 yards this is a serious challenge. |
| VALL D'OR |
| Situated on its own in the East of the island this par 71 course is well worth a visit . |