Looking for a warm-weather golfing destination with the best-quality courses, plenty of flight and accommodation options, and lots to see and do away from the course? Look no further than Majorca.
You might think Majorca is just a place for Brits seeking a holiday in the sun, but it’s turning into a mini golfing mecca, in its own right. In this guide, we’ll pick out some of the best golf courses in Majorca, as well as some key things to consider when you plan your next trip.
Why play golf in Majorca?
Majorca has been a popular tourist destination for people across Europe for decades, including for golfers. The largest of the Balearic Islands has seen significant investment into its golf courses, making for a wide variety of challenges and scenery to enjoy.
Being a tourist hotspot has some downsides at times (like very high flight and accommodation prices during the school holidays) but there are some real benefits too. Several airlines run flights to and from Majorca all year round from most major UK airports (flight time between two and 2.5 hours), and the consistent warm weather during the winter months makes it a great destination for an off-peak golfing getaway.
It also means that you have plenty of choice of hotels and accommodation when you get there, and lots of things to see and do away from the course. This varies from the traditional tourist resorts clustered around Palma to the south of the island, to the excellent driving roads and rugged coastal landscapes in the north.
The best golf courses in Majorca
There are plenty of golf courses to choose from in Majorca, but it can be hard to know which ones are the best to play if you’ve never travelled there before. Here we pick out the very best of Majorca golf courses:
Golf Son Gual
Many people regard this course to be the very best in Majorca, and among one of the finest on Spanish soil, and there are lots of reasons why.
The whole resort is the brainchild of the German businessman Andreas Pamer, and has been designed with the whole golfing experience in mind. Groups set off at 15-minute intervals so there are no frustrating waits to tee off at each hole, while you can enjoy some tapas and a quick beer in a designated 30-minute break on one of the finest halfway huts you’ll find anywhere.
The course delivers spectacular views everywhere you look, right from the start and the first tee, which is the highest point on the entire course. There are plenty of water hazards to avoid on a course that is manicured to perfection, and whatever your golfing ability, it is a simply wonderful place to spend a day.
Alcanada
Some of the very best landscapes in Majorca can be found in the north of the island, which also tends to be one of the quieter areas. And in this corner of the world, the Alcanada Golf Course really stands out – and this year will once again be hosting the final of the Rolex Challenge Tour.
The course opened in 2003 and is pretty much unique in Majorca in that it’s right next to the coast. You’ll get to play through ravines and valleys and enjoy excellent views of Alcudia Bay as you work your way around. Some of the tee shots can be very challenging and there are plenty of bunkers to avoid down the fairways, but this is an incredibly rewarding course to get right.
If you’re staying in the tourist resorts around Palma, then allow at least an hour each way to drive to Alcanada. But be in no doubt that it’ll be well worth the journey once you get there.
Son Muntaner
This course is one of three within the popular Arabella resort near Palma (Son Vida and Son Quint being the others). But we’ve picked out Son Muntaner as the one to play as it’s a course that really rewards planning, thought and accuracy.
You’ll understand this as soon as you start, as there are tricky water hazards to steer clear of on each of the first three holes. The greens are large and the pin positions can vary quite a bit, so if you play this course twice then you may get a different experience each time.
However, the course is in tip-top condition having been re-grassed in 2016, making for a much greener layout than you may find elsewhere in Spain. And don’t miss out on the chance to relax and enjoy the view after your round on the top-notch terrace.
Pula Golf
The Pula course was opened in the mid-90s, has been a regular fixture on the European Tour schedule, and underwent a remodelling with the help of Jose Maria Olazabal. And you can see why the pros find this course so challenging: there is a huge amount of variety through the 18 holes, and a lot of water to avoid, including lakes and rivers. Most of the greens are visible from the tee, giving you the chance to think your way through each hole with clarity.
It’s undergone significant investment in recent years to upgrade its facilities and overall experience, and it’s a relatively flat course which is accessible for the vast majority of players. The clubhouse and hotel were originally a farmhouse that dates back to the 16th century, so there is plenty to be wowed by after your round, too.
Santa Ponsa
For a simpler round that is perhaps a little more relaxed, then we recommend Course I at Santa Ponsa, easily reachable from the popular tourist resort of the same name. It’s an open course that is relatively short by modern standards at 6542 yards, although it does feature a beast of a par-five at 590 yards along the way.
The scenery is excellent, and there are plenty of challenges to keep you on your toes, such as water features and a scattering of doglegs. Because the fairways are so accommodating and the views are so good, this is an excellent course for less experienced players who don’t want to travel too far from the tourist hotspots.
Planning your Majorca golf trip
One of the biggest expenses that often gets overlooked when planning a trip to play golf in Majorca is transporting your clubs. As they’re considered oversize luggage, it can cost as much as £100 return to add them to your flight booking – even if this is more than you’ve paid to get yourself onto the plane. So, when you think you’ve found some flights that work for you, make sure you check the airline’s policies and fees on golf clubs carefully, and ensure that you book your clubs onto the flight well in advance.
If you’re only going for a short trip, such as a long weekend with two or three rounds of golf, then it may work out cheaper to hire clubs when you’re out there instead. Many golf courses in Majorca offer club hire and this can help you keep costs down, as long as you don’t mind not playing with the clubs that you’re used to.
Just like any other trip abroad, it’s also important to have good insurance cover in place. While you might be used to taking out regular travel insurance for your holidays, this won’t always cover expensive items like golf clubs, or any injuries that you might suffer while undertaking sporting activity. It’s for this reason that we recommend taking out golf-specific insurance that covers you throughout your stay in Majorca.
Get golf insurance with SportsCover Direct
The last thing you’ll need on a golf trip to Majorca is to be worrying about something going wrong. Like all your companions, you’ll want to relax as much as possible and concentrate on posting the best scores you possibly can, and having a great time. And while there may not be much you can do to prevent unforeseen circumstances; you can at least insulate yourself against any potential financial fallout.
SportsCover Direct provides comprehensive golf insurance cover for the next time you play golf in Majorca. If you get hurt while playing; if you injure someone else accidentally; if your travel arrangements are disrupted; or if your luggage and clubs are stolen, damaged or lost – we’ll take care of any costs incurred as a result. That way, you can enjoy the best golf courses Majorca has to offer with peace of mind.
Find out more on our golf insurance policies today, including our affordable rates and flexible payment plans.