Spain – Spanish Islands

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Popular tourist destinations Majorca and the Canaries can offer golf breaks to satisfy even the most discerning travelling golfer.

It was inevitable that golf would become popular in the islands which have an allegiance to Spain. The game became such a key part of life on the mainland that if it hadn’t developed on the Spanish islands, it would have been strange.
But the extent to which it has developed is impressive. Not just in terms of the number of courses on what are often small land masses, but also the quality they possess.

Well over a quarter of the top 50 courses in Spain are away from the mainland – and they represent some of the most interesting courses which ‘belong’ to Spain. So, we mark your card about where you need to be playing with a whistlestop tour of the golfing islands of the Mediterranean and North Atlantic.

Majorca

Turn left out of the airport at Palma and you are destined for the flesh pots of Magaluf and Palma Nova. Turn right and you have several world-class golf resorts within an hour’s drive.

Son Gual, indeed, is just 10 minutes away and is the superstar of Majorcan golf. It is every inch a European Tour venue and has, indeed, already hosted the European Seniors Tour. It was one of the highest climbers in Golf World’s 2011 continental Europe Top 100 and one suspects it has not reached its peak.

This place simply oozes class – but you need to choose your tees wisely… right from the start, with your first shot an elevated drive with acres of sand unfolding before you. You immediately realise what is in store at this opulent complex.

Son Gual is on the flight path into Palma and it is true planes appear to be coming down on a conveyor belt from the clouds, so regular are they, but after initial curiosity, we soon forgot about them when we visited. The attraction of Son Gual is that it requires a mixture of brain and brawn to conquer her.

So, while the bunker-strewn 1st is 400 yards from even the yellow tees the next two are short par 4s which rely on small, sloping greens with steep run-offs and evil pin positions to challenge you.

Alcanada is another top-rank venue. Created by the Trent Jones design dynasty in 2003, it gently slopes down towards the shoreline with views across the bay as well as of the Sierra de Levante mountains.

It boasts spectacular views – across the Bay of Alcudia to the lighthouse on the island of Alcanada –and Robert Trent Jones Jnr told Golf Escapes that it is “a course I am hugely proud of. I’d urge anyone holidaying in Majorca to make the trip to the north-east to play there.” Trent Jones planned in 58 bunkers around a near 7,000-yard test, which crosses many ravines and valleys.

In the north east is Capdepera, a very attractive course and a very friendly club with a terrace area by the 18th which is impossible to walk past without indulging in something cool and refreshing. What’s more, the club’s reputation for good food extends beyond merely golfers.

The course is generally easy walking with wide fairways and friendly bunkers. The back nine is the better half and includes the terrific 14th, a tough, uphill hole to a green framed by the rocky hills which surround the course.

Marriott Club Son Antem has 36 holes of championship golf and the West just edges out the East as the main course. As well as also having tree-lined fairways, the tighter, younger and marginally better West relies on subtle changes in elevation and dog-legs to keep you on your toes.

The East winds its way between the villas with water coming into play on a third of the holes and mature trees lining most fairways.

Also consider Pula – remodelled by Jose Maria Olazabal in 2005 and much improved, offering a course good enough to host the European Tour – and Canyamel, a Pepe Ganchedo track on interesting land.

Puntiro was opened in 2006 and created by the Nicklaus Design team. Its fairways are flanked by pines, olives and carobs, there are no villas in sight and even the cart paths are very discreetly hidden.

Son Vida is the oldest course on the island and benefits from being routed round in a tight amount of land the Bay of Palma by the distinguished designer Fred Hawtree before being updated by German Kurt Rossknecht at the turn of the Millennium.

Val D’Or incorporates some great changes in elevation, creating some lovely holes on probably the most under-rated course on the island. There are six clubs to the west of Palma – including the huge Santa Ponsa complex – but the real quality is in the east.

Tenerife

Abama is one of the top 20 courses in the whole of Spain, a Dave Thomas design which offers Augusta-like greens and Augusta-like conditioning. There is barely a blade of grass out of place and the often two-tiered greens are so slick that three putts are almost impossible to avoid all the way round. Views of the Atlantic soothe some of the pain.

Rivalling Abama as Tenerife’s finest is Buenavista, which was laid out on the cliffs in the north west of the island (most of the rest of the golf is in the south) by Seve Ballesteros. It is 6,620 yards but plays longer due to the constant coastal winds. Opened in 2003, it provides ever-present views of the Atlantic Ocean – hence the name. With 14 elevated drives and greens at 10 and 13 which evoke images of Pebble Beach, this is exciting stuff.

Golf del Sur is another top-class venue which is the work of Gancedo and former European Ryder Cup player Manuel Pinero.
The North and South loops (there are three nines here) are the best combination. The sea is almost always visible while the numerous deep ravines cause plenty of nervous moments. Wide fairways are lined by palm trees and the famous black volcanic soil, providing a delightful contrast with the lush grass.

Finally, the John Jacobs-designed Las Americas is a fabulously conditioned course which is part of a beautiful complex including the five-star Las Madrigueras hotel.

It is perfectly placed for the thousands of tourists who flock to Las Americas and Los Cristianos and visiting golfers will find two loops of nine surrounded for a lot of the round by villas. The lakes and rivers which meander through the course are complemented by significant elevation changes on the front nine which offer pleasing variety.

Gran Canaria

The courses are divided into two distinct sectors here, north and south. In the former, El Cortijo is the star attraction. It was laid out by Blake Stirling – and as the head designer for Sawgrass creator Pete Dye, you won’t be surprised to hear six large lakes play a big part in this exciting course.

Situated on the outskirts of Las Palmas and 10 minutes from the airport, El Cortijo also comprises quick, sloping greens and 600 mature palm trees. Also nearby are Real Club de Las Palmas, Oasis Golf and Las Palmeras.

In the south, you can play at Meloneras – with nine holes looking to the mountains and nine out to sea – but the real attractions are Maspalomas, Salobre and Anfi. Anfi is 20km from Playa del Inglés and is set amid lush green gardens with rich indigenous vegetation, lakes and waterfalls; the verdant course contrasts perfectly with the Arizona-style mountains.

Located next to the famous sand hills and designed by Mackenzie Ross, you simply know Maspalomas Dunes will be something special. It is surrounded by a 400-hectare Nature Reserve, is full of natural vegetation and benefits from views out to sea. Ross – the man behind Turnberry’s Ailsa – laid out this course in 1974 and the sea breezes always play a significant part.

Finally, Salobre is a fairly new course but has matured nicely into the Gran Canarian landscape with ravines, volcanic earth, views of mountains and sea all evident. The green fairways are in stark contrast with the desert surroundings. It is a fine all-round complex.

And don’t forget about out…

Located to the west of Tenerife, La Gomera is a tiny island which happens to have an interesting course. Tecina Golf is in Playa Santiago in the south of the island and offers the most spectacular views of the natural beauty of the Gomeran landscape, from the Atlantic Ocean and Mount Teide on Tenerife.

You can go by cruise to La Gomera (using Fred Olsen). On Fuerteventura, the golf club takes the island’s name and offers a course between lakes, palm trees and fine sand bunkers – plus, gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Finally, Lanzarote is home to Costa Teguise, which is surrounded by spectacular natural landscape that has been declared biosphere reserve by UNESCO. Ballesteros believed it to be one of the finest courses in the Canary Islands.

Away from the course 

1 – Majorca’s capital Palma is great for shopping; up-market boutiques to familiar high street stores and local markets.
2 – Two waterparks are located in the popular south of Tenerife: Siam Park is a Thai-themed water kingdom while Aqualand also has a dolphin show.
3 – Tenerife is on one of the main migration routes for whales so you might spot some Bottlenose Dolphins or Pilot Whales.
4 – Cuevos de Drach near Porto Cristo in Majorca are limestone caves full of weird rock formations, stalactites and stalagmites.
5 – Hit the beach! All of these islands boast amazing beaches.
6 – On Lanzarote, Mirador del Rio is a popular landscape and viewpoint 498m above sea level and a must-see attraction as well as the Risco de Famara, in the north. You can see the most spectacular views of Lanzarote, including the straits of El Rio and the islets of Graciosa
7 – Dominating a large piece of the centre of Tenerife, and visible from almost anywhere on the island, Mount Teide is the world’s third biggest volcano. Set within a National Park other features include peculiar rock formations, a second volcano ‘Pico Viejo’ and a 800m crater.
8 – Garajonay National Park on La Gomera is a misty rain forest full of mystery and romance: great for hiking.
9 – La Lajita Zoo on Fuerteventura houses hippos, giraffes and over 200 species of birds – as well as Camel Safaris. There is also a botanical garden.
10 – In Palma, must-see sights include the gothic Cathedral, the 14th century Castell de Bellver, Banys Arabs (the old Moorish bath-house), and the Palau de l’Almudaina.

Mallorca Marriot Son Artem Golf Resort & Spa

The Mallorca Marriott Son Antem Golf Resort & Spa is a paradise for golfers. Close to Palma, and its international airport and famed beaches, it provides an exceptional experience.

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