Golf in Mallorca: Views and Conditioning to Write Home About
It’s well known by now just how stunning the Balearic Islands are, with their crystal-clear waters, sun-kissed beaches, and laid-back vibe. It’s no wonder the destination is so popular with international visitors, especially Mallorca.
Mallorca is the largest of the five populated islands, with Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera, and the much smaller Cabrera scattered nearby. Surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, framed by dramatic mountain backdrops, and rich with traditional and historical architecture dating back to the 13th century, it’s impossible not to feel that holiday buzz just thinking about it.
For most people, Mallorca brings to mind sun-soaked beaches or a week of partying in Magaluf. But the island’s golf offering is just as impressive, with 24 courses in total, 21 open to visitors. During my trip, I was lucky enough to play two of the best: Alcanada and Pula.
Club de Golf Alcanada
On Mallorca’s northern coast sits Alcanada Golf, a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design that’s as visually stunning as it is challenging. Opened in 2003 and owned by Hans Peter Porsche (of the Porsche family), the par-72 course (stretching 7,173 yards off the tips) utilises the natural lay of the land magnificently, with sweeping views over Alcudia Bay and its iconic lighthouse; once a beacon for weary sailors, now a beacon for golfers chasing something special. With its thoughtful design and picture-perfect conditioning, it’s no surprise Alcanada is ranked the number one course in the Balearic Islands by Top 100, a verdict I can fully get behind.
The moment you arrive, you can tell it’s a special place. Everything is prim, proper, and pristine. From the villa-esque clubhouse, perched perfectly for the best view in the house and serving fantastic traditional Mallorcan and international dishes, to the immaculate putting green beside the first tee, every detail impresses. It’s the kind of course that would have you excited to play weeks in advance.
After a quick warm-up on the range and a swift attempt to read the greens, I stepped onto the first. A 500-yard par 5, it demands an accurately placed tee shot; avoid the tight danger on the left, which also blocks the approach, and the cleverly positioned fairway bunker on the right. The second shot requires a decision, depending on where your tee shot ends up. You can go for the green, protected by a dead zone to the left and a stream cutting across the fairway about 100 yards short, or play it safe to the layup zone just beyond the stream, setting up a short pitch.
For me, it’s the perfect opening hole. It’s gettable in two, but only if you position yourself well off the tee. Right and long-right is the natural miss, which usually forces a layup and a more demanding birdie attempt. But if you go left, end up in the sand, hit a poor second, or any combination of these, you could easily start the round with a double. The hole sets the tone perfectly for the rest of the course: smart play is rewarded, with plenty of risk-and-reward opportunities, but get it wrong, and you’ll be focused on damage limitation to keep your score respectable.
Alcanada’s signature hole, without a doubt, is the 7th. Starting from an elevated tee box, looking down towards Alcudia Bay and its signature lighthouse, the 7th is a golfer’s dream. Measuring 633 yards from the tips, this beast of a par-5 requires every ounce of thought and ability you might have. A large bunker sits in the middle of the fairway, on the number for most golfers’ carry yardages, while the contours of the fairway slope both right and left, leaving only a narrow corridor on either side to hold it. However, if you fly the bunker, you’re rewarded with a downhill landing zone that can add 30–40 yards to your drive before settling on a flat(ish) lie.
Even then, after a drive many would brag about for the rest of the holiday, you’re left with 250–300 yards into the green. Remarkably, on my first time playing it, I pulled off two wonder shots and ended up through the back. However, and this is the beauty of the hole, on my second time, I went right off the tee, had to chip out, and still faced 300 yards for my third. It’s not a course that purposely wants to beat you up, but it will most certainly punish you, and the 7th exemplifies that. It really is a terrific hole, and one I could happily play time and time again.
Aside from the clever design, the conditioning was superb. Fairways were spongy, the rough was tricky but fair, and the greens rolled true and fast; what else could a golfer want?
All in all, it’s a must-play if you’re visiting Mallorca. If you’re weighing up destinations for a golf trip, it should be enough to confidently tip the scales in favour of this wonderful island.
