22 May 2012
Posted by Rory 
Blessed by endless sunshine that is perfectly complemented by the cooling qualities of sea breezes that roll in from the Balearic and Mediterranean Seas, Majorca has long been a popular holiday destination for tourists from all over Europe, especially us poor folk from rainy Old Blighty!
While Majorca may be best known for its vibrant nightlife, it is an island of delightful contrasts; the largest of the Balearic Islands attracts huge numbers of tourists from the UK and Ireland and throughout Europe, but for vastly different reasons.
The most popular tourist hot spots are to the south west of Palma, the delightful capital city – Magalluf and Santa Ponsa offer legendary nightlife and are a fantastic value option for both families and large groups. Mallorca’s interior, as well as its eastern coastline, is far more reserved, and is renowned for its incredible natural beauty. Couple these two very different atmospheres with some top class golf courses and you have the recipe for an idyllic golf break that can be as relaxing and quiet or as fun filled as you wish.
While the options for accommodation may be polar opposites, the island’s regions have in common rich golfing possibilities that are somewhat unheralded internationally. Majorca isn’t somewhere short of golf courses. Our final count was over 25! The challenge isn’t so much the course but more the choice of which to choose for your Majorcan Golf Holiday.
In addition to José María Olazábal’s creation at Pula, which is a must, our recommendations include Alcanada, Son Vida, Son Gual and the ever popular Santa Ponsa.
Pula is perhaps the best known of Majorca’s golf courses, having been a regular host course of a European Tour event, the Mallorca Classic, between 2003 and 2007. The course was originally opened in 1995, but it was not until 2004, that the intervention and redesign of Jose Maria Olazabal catapulted Pula onto the world stage.
Pula Golf requires good club selection and shrewd course management from start to finish.
Measuring 6,676 yards from the back tees, Pula may not be the longest championship course around, but as the professionals will testify, when the wind picks up – as it often does at Pula – matching the par of 70 is a formidable proposition. Any serious golfing enthusiast would be remiss to leave Pula off the itinerary for their golf holiday in Mallorca!
Perched above the Bay of Alcudia on Majorca’s North-East coast, Alcanada, a Robert Trent Jones Jnr design, boasts terrific sea views and has been a welcome addition to the island’s golfing portfolio since its opening in 2003.
Alcanada is one of the most picturesque courses on the island.
Beautiful trees, indigenous to the landscape, demarcate the most beautiful holes as the undulating turf tracks the coastline. Visiting golfers will do well to keep their concentration on the task at hand! Pristine conditioning as well as gleaming white sandy bunkers are other notable features of this stunning golf course.
Son Vida is Majorca’s elder statesman, boasting the lengthiest heritage of any golf course on the island making it, in a historical sense, a must play course for anyone planning a golf break to Majorca.
Son Vida is part of the sheraton Arabella complex and a must play course.
In the interest of keeping up with the times Son Vida received a shot in the arm in 2001 when esteemed golf architect Kurt Roosknecht reworked the entire course. With great care Roosknecht made changes that would not detract from the original F.W. Hawtree design, put in place in the early 1950s.
With intoxicating views of the nearby mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, Son Vida has it all, and is definitely a favourite of regular golf travellers to the island of Mallorca.
Son Gual is one of the newest and most desirable names in Mallorca’s golfing portfolio, having opened in October 2007 to thunderous applause. German designer Thomas Himmel is the man responsible for the majestic par-72 layout at Son Gual, which is widely renowned for its impeccable conditioning.
Son Gual is arguably the finest golf course in Majorca…we love it and so will you!
To underline the quality of the layout, Son Gual is among the newest additions to the Your Golf Travel.com Top 100 European Courses – in fact, it has jumped straight into our top 20!
Santa Muntaner
Cut through the gently undulating hills in the outskirts of Palma, Son Muntaner is a picturesque and thoroughly rewarding golf course for golfers of all abilities. Opened in 2000, Son Muntaner was, like its sister course Son Vida, mapped out by the esteemed designer Kurt Rossknecht.
Santa Muntaner is also part of the Sheraton Arabella complex and will provide a real challenge for golfers of all abilities.
From the tips, the championship layout peaks falls just short of 7,000 yards making it a real challenge. Those who are less prodigious from the tee shouldn’t be put off though as there are several different tee boxes that ensure golfers of varying standards can all enjoy this marvellous course. Bordered by enchanting, mature woodland, Son Muntaner is a classic resort course and an ideal inclusion on any golf escape to Mallorca.
What of the accommodation I hear you say?
In terms of accommodation, there are the traditional options like the well established Son Caliu and Sol Magalluf Park hotels, the island’s heightened golf profile has resulted in top class resort developments at Marriott Son Antem, home to a further two golf courses of its own, and the Sheraton Arabella complex.
Expect top class accommodation at the Marriott Son Antem Resort.
Both the Marriott Son Antem and the Sheraton Arabella boast top class accommodation options as well as facilities that will ensure your time spent away from golf course is as relaxing or fun filled as you wish. Each boast a lavish spa, perfect for unwinding after a long day on the fairways and although there are plenty of towns and villages to explore in search of a traditional Majorcan meal, each resort boasts their own collection of top class restaurants.
What better way to relax after a morning’s golf than lounging by the pool with a well deserved drink?
With all this on offer, it is no surprise that Mallorca has emerged as a top quality golf holiday destination and thanks to a convenient flight time of just over 2 hours; and large selection of low cost flights from the UK, Majorca is an accessible and affordable golf holiday destination that should be high on the list for your next summer golf break.
For information on Majorcan Golf Holidays and other Spanish Golf Breaks please visit www.yourgolftravel.com or call free on 0800 043 6644.
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