Golf in Majorcca - questions, advice, hints or tips for first time traveller!

[groundskeeperwilly]

Hi folks

Heading to Majorca for a week and have booked the clubs on the flight!

Will be in the Cala Bona area I think. Two courses I have in mind are:
http://www.golfsonservera.com/?lang=en
http://www.pulagolf.com/

Both look decent!

It's my first ever holiday 'with clubs' and actually my first trip outside UK for a wee while so wondered if any more experienced travellers had any tips?
Any experience of those courses or others in the area?
Better to book now online or try to book when I get there?
Will casual golf attire be OK? (Shoes are Puma Biofusion Mesh which are very trainer esq...)
Will it be too hot to play in the middle of the day?
Any other tips for going abroad?

Cheers in advance.
Will

 

[williamalex1]

My favourite course there was Son Vida 1 in palma , stunning views and in very good nick. not been for a few years though.

 

[bernix]

dont miss out Alacanada. one of the best and most scenic courses i've ever played.
son gual was in excellent condition as well but not as scenic as Alcanada
Canyamel had the fastest greens i've ever played, Son Severa, Pula and Capdepera were not in top condition, good courses but no must-play
Played all of them march 2014

 

[groundskeeperwilly]

Thanks bernix - will look into those other courses.

Were you asked for a handicap certificate at all?

 

[Slab]

That's two days running now I've looked at this thread title and thought that either this is your first attempt at time travel or you are in fact the first time traveler!

Enjoy your trip (I mean golf not the time travel thing) :smirk:

 

[Roops]

What are the green fees like ? I seem to remember Alcanada fees were crazy.

 

[garyinderry]

That's two days running now I've looked at this thread title and thought that either this is your first attempt at time travel or you are in fact the first time traveler!

Enjoy your trip (I mean golf not the time travel thing) :smirk:

:rofl:

 

[groundskeeperwilly]

Green fees approx for the courses I will probably go to:
PulaBefore 09:20): 68.50€ (After 09:20): 73€
Son Servera: 63.50€
Canyamel:68€
CapdeperaBefore 09:00): 73€ (After 09:20): 81€

So approx 260€ for 4 rounds.

 

[Roops]

Mmmmm. I knew there was a reason why my wife and I hadn't packed our clubs.......I thought you may have found a cunning way to reduce the GF's or reality had set in. With two of us playing, we could almost have another holiday for the price of the green fee's........

 

[williamalex1]

Mmmmm. I knew there was a reason why my wife and I hadn't packed our clubs.......I thought you may have found a cunning way to reduce the GF's or reality had set in. With two of us playing, we could almost have another holiday for the price of the green fee's........

If you ask in some of the local bars they maybe able to put you in touch with a local society to get cheaper golf.

 

[groundskeeperwilly]

Well my wife does not play so it will only be 1 fee per round. I think I will get a couple of them cheaper as I will be there just after course maintenance and they might not be in tip top shape. Was thinking of booking tee times in advance but might be able to haggle a bit better when I get there?!

 

[njc1973]

I'm going there on Saturday & hopefully playing Pula one afternoon during the week, I'll post up a review when I get back. It's costing me €39 booking through the hotel we're staying at, unfortunately its €40 to hire a set of clubs.

 

[groundskeeperwilly]

I'm going there on Saturday & hopefully playing Pula one afternoon during the week, I'll post up a review when I get back. It's costing me €39 booking through the hotel we're staying at, unfortunately its €40 to hire a set of clubs.

I'm actually arriving on Saturday myself! Where are you staying? Our hotel advertises a discount rate too but I havnt checked with them yet!

 

[njc1973]

Insotel Cala Mandia.

Not definitely playing, need to talk the missus into letting me first.

 

[williamalex1]

Insotel Cala Mandia.

Not definitely playing, need to talk the missus into letting me first.

TOP TIP= Get the wives introduced and bobs you uncle.

 

[groundskeeperwilly]

Insotel Cala Mandia.

Not definitely playing, need to talk the missus into letting me first.

Ok good luck with that. My clubs are packed and ready. Hope you get on well if you do end up playing.

 

[njc1973]

I won't know till the day before if I'mplaying but you can pm me your mobile number if you want me to try and ring you to meet up for a round. Sorry but can't commit to anything until I get the lay of the land(2 young kids to try and look after, need eyes in the back of our heads). I would be playing with a mate who is holidaying with us so don't feel obliged.

 

[bernix]

Thanks bernix - will look into those other courses.

Were you asked for a handicap certificate at all?

No but we were a group of over 100 golfers. tee times were booked over agency

 

[groundskeeperwilly]

Just by way of an update thought I should post about my holiday golf!

I ended up playing Pula a couple of times - I tried to play a few others but they were closed or at least partially closed while I was there for maintenance.

So Pula Golf.....The clubhouse was not the best condition and the shop only carries a very limited range of balls, gloves etc with some Pula T-Shirts available to buy as-well. Saying that there is a cafe etc on site too which is nice (And accommodation if you want to stay there). There is a driving range which has approx 8 enclosed bays and then the same number again on the roof open to the elements. 1 Euro gets you about 20-25 balls. No grass hitting area only mats. There are also 2 dedicated putting greens offering a variety of lines, slopes and breaks as-well as a separate bunker play/chipping zone.

I got a deal through my hotel where a round was 37 Euro as opposed to the 75 Euro or so it should normally cost. Hiring clubs, trolleys or buggies is easy as they have lots available (I had my own clubs so not sure on the quality of the hire gear but saw a few bags with Wilson , Callaway and TM clubs that were 1 or 2 seasons old)

I enjoyed my rounds on the course. They have the usual White, Yellow, Red Tee set up and you are pretty free to choose which you play from. In general the course was in good condition, greens were certainly faster than I am used to here! Bunkers were all nice sand. A few holes that stood out for me were the 5th and 16th both with water in play but where a good drive and iron to the green were rewarded! Not overly challenging but good fun - for example I can't really recall any 'long' rough, it was all more like the first cut here in Scotland!

I would have liked to play a few other courses but it wasn't to be this time. If anyone's thinking of going and has any questions I'd be happy to try to help!