Mallorca - or Majorca if you grew up spelling it that way - is a much better golf destination than most people realise. I moved here from Shanghai in March 2025, where I had spent eleven years coaching in a city of 27 million people with not enough golf courses between them. Mostly built to championship standards as there was no point having anything there that was not the best. Arriving on an island with 24 courses, 21 of them open to green-fee visitors, in conditions that stay quality even through the winter, felt like discovering a secret.
I'm a PGA Advanced Professional and I'm working my way through every course on the island - playing them, reviewing them honestly, working out what makes each one worth the trip and taking my guests along too to learn. Below is what I know so far.
The Top Courses - By Purpose
For a Serious Championship Round: Son Gual
My most-played course on the island and the one I recommend most often for a proper test. Thomas Himmel's design sits in its own wind ecosystem in the hills above Palma - I've left my house, full of confidence, on a calm morning and arrived at the first tee to find it blowing hard and staying that way for the whole round. The greens are fast, raised, and unforgiving. The bunkering is aggressive and makes strategy and ball striking need to be top level, and the closing stretch is genuinely outstanding.
Rafa Nadal plays here regularly and has said it is his favourite course on the island. Barack Obama played here in November 2024 and enjoyed it so much he promised to return. Many top amateur and professional events are also held at this popular golf course.
For the Most Scenic Round: Alcanada
Alcanada is the course I take people to when I want them to go home remembering one round in particular. It might be the most memorable day on the island. The lighthouse and the views on many of the holes help, but the course stands up on its own too.
Standing on the elevated back tees is its own experience. You feel untouchable - so far from everything else that everyone below looks like a tiny dot. The lighthouse in front of you, the bay stretching out, and you're about to hit driver somewhere into the abyss. That's the feeling.
For a DP World Tour Experience: Son Muntaner
Named Best Golf Course in Spain at the 2025 World Golf Awards and well deserved. Hosted the Mallorca Golf Open and Ladies European Tour events. Wide fairways, but a lot of hazards and pine trees to guide you, technically demanding greens, fantastic conditioning and a really good test of golf.
For the Hardest Test: Golf de Andratx
Widely considered one of the most difficult courses on the island. A championship layout in the southwest with breathtaking scenery and hazards on near enough every hole. The 6th is the longest par 5 in the whole of Spain at 609 metres. Recommended for experienced players, and bring extra balls!
For the Most Beautiful Setting: Canyamel
Described by many as the most photographed course on the island. Set in the foothills of the Llevant Natural Park in the east, with sea views throughout. A genuinely good course beyond the aesthetics.
Also Worth Playing: Golf Santa Ponsa 1
The only public course in the Santa Ponsa group, with genuine European Tour history - it hosted the 2021 European Tour Mallorca Golf Open and six European Tour events. One of the longest courses on the island, with open fairways that reward an aggressive approach from the tee and good opportunities to hit driver.
For Beginners or Mixed Groups: Son Quint or Son Antem East
Son Quint is the most accessible course in the Arabella group (four courses in one complex) - relatively flat, wide fairways, native planting and low intimidation factor. Set high up, it has great views over Palma. Tiger Woods and his son Charlie played here in July 2022 after The Open. Son Antem East in the south is similarly flat and forgiving but with a good amount of water, bunkers and trees to be interesting and with a hotel resort if you want to combine with accommodation.
Celebrity Connections Worth Knowing
Son Gual: Obama came and played in 2024. Son Quint (Arabella): Tiger Woods and his son Charlie played in July 2022, the week after The Open at St Andrews. Pula (east): Federer and Nadal play together when on the island and Nadal is there frequently. Son Vida: Seve Ballesteros won the European Tour event there in 1990. Santa Ponsa: hosted six European Tour events and all the big names of the time, including Spanish legends Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal alongside Ian Woosnam, Bernhard Langer and more.
The Honest Summary
Son Muntaner for a DP World Tour experience. Canyamel for the scenery. Andratx for a serious test. Son Quint or Son Antem if you're a beginner or bringing someone new to the game. As I keep exploring more, I am sure I will find more gems as the island has enough quality to fill a week of serious golf. Most visitors play one or two courses and miss a lot of what is available!
"The island has been one of Europe's best-kept golf secrets. I arrived from Shanghai and the conditions in January, when courses in England are closed, genuinely surprised me."
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