Golf Alcanada

In the picturesque bay of Alcúdia lies one of Mallorca’s most renowned golf courses – Alcanada Golf. Its striking clubhouse overlooks the glittering Mediterranean, with the signature Alcanada lighthouse standing sentinel nearby.

This Robert Trent Jones Jr designed course beautifully incorporates Mallorca’s natural terrain, with pine and olive trees lining lush fairways that skirt the rugged coastline. Since opening in 2003, Alcanada has earned prestige as the island’s premier golfing experience.

Course Overview

Alcanada is an 18-hole, par 72 championship course stretching 6,499 metres from the back tees. With five sets of tees catering to various skill levels, the layout offers playability without sacrificing challenge.

Strategically placed bunkers and water hazards demand precision, while elevated greens encourage creative shot-making. The front nine holes wind through wooded hills before emerging to seaside holes with spectacular vistas.

The closing stretch culminates in an unforgettable finale along the Bay of Alcúdia. Though relatively flat, sporadic elevation changes and prevailing winds add complexity. Alcanada presents a balanced examination to test the best while rewarding the recreational player.

Amenities and Facilities

The practice area features a dual-ended grass driving range with covered and grass-hitting bays. An expansive short-game area has chipping, pitching and bunker areas to hone your skills. Three large putting greens provide ample space for practice and lessons.

The pro shop is well stocked with premium equipment and apparel brands to cater to every need. Electric carts have GPS screens detailing hole layouts and distances. A friendly caddy master team can offer local advice to help navigate the course. The contemporary clubhouse houses locker rooms, restaurant, and bar to relax before or after your round.

Course Layout and Design

Alcanada’s front nine holes play mainly uphill through a wooded corridor before transitioning to seaside holes on the back nine. Trent Jones incorporated existing vegetation while adding strategic bunkering to enhance the natural landscape.

Playing Experience

Alcanada delivers a balanced mixture of challenge and playability. While demanding accuracy into firm responsive greens, most tee shots offer some leeway. Tee shots emphasise positioning over pure length, with angle and spin more decisive than distance.

Approach shots confront sloping greens protected by bunkers and run-off areas. Recovery around the greens still requires deft touch and creativity. Trent Jones’ utilisation of existing landscape eliminates excessive elevation change.

Alcanada therefore avoids over-penalising the casual player. With five sets of tees accommodating various skill levels, the course remains enjoyable for all.

The predominant difficulty lies in the ever-present wind and hard greens. Alcanada rewards shot-making precision and course management rather than brute power.

Conditions and Maintenance

Meticulous daily upkeep ensures that Alcanada is continually presented in pristine condition. Paspalum fairways and tees provide lush lies through Bermuda rough.

Emerald Poa Annua/Bentgrass greens run fast and true but require a delicate touch. As the premier course on Mallorca’s northeast coast, Alcanada’s maintenance team proudly uphold exceptional standards. Tees and fairways are mown daily at fair playing heights.

Greens are pureed every morning with regular verticutting to guarantee smooth rolls. Bunkers see daily raking while cart paths are kept debris-free. Carts are restricted from sticky areas to prevent damage.

Such immaculate daily preparations explain Alcanada’s numerous accolades as Mallorca’s best-conditioned layout.

Scenery and Atmosphere

Panoramic vistas overlooking the Bay of Alcúdia and nearby lighthouse create a magical setting matched by few courses in Europe. Yachts and cruise ships frequent the sparkling Mediterranean Sea visible from most holes.

Watching your shot carry cliffs before witnessing the bounce and roll near blue waters makes for an unforgettable experience. Mallorca’s gentle breezes and aroma of pine and eucalyptus trees enhance the idyllic environment.

The closing stretch provides front-row seaside views making the 19th hole terrace a perfect spot for refreshment. “Best Seaside Course” prizes validate Alcanada’s breathtaking beauty. Through Trent Jones’ preservation of native fauna, Alcanada transports you to a Mediterranean haven.

Local Knowledge and Tips

As an exposed seaside links-style design, wind significantly affects shot trajectories, especially on holes 13 to 18. The starter provides updated wind speeds and directions to calculate adjusted yardages.

When scheduling your tee time, late summer mornings often bring the calmest conditions. Hazards left of fairways typically avoid deeper trouble compared to rightside. Angle approaches away from perched pins near edges to avoid steep runoffs.

Bring extra balls as wayward shots often descend treacherous cliffs. Avoid over-clubbing as Alcanada’s firm conditions cause even slightly mis-hit shots to run. Take enough club to hold the elevated greens but play conservatively for your skill level. Savour the views between shots and soak in your surroundings.

Hole 1 – 458m, par 5

This opening par 5 stretches to 458m, with a creek crossing the fairway near the green. Keep tee shots right to open up the best angle of attack. Bold players can aim for the green in two shots after crossing the creek, while more conservative golfers should lay up short left of the hazard for an easy pitch over the water.

Hole 2 – 387m, par 4

The 387m par 4 second hole doglegs slightly left, though long hitters can carry the fairway bunker off the tee. Approach shots should favour the right side of the green.

Hole 3 – 335m, par 4

Measuring 335m, the blind tee shot on this short par 4 adds difficulty. Longer drives can carry the left fairway bunker.

Hole 4 – 188m, par 3

The 188m fourth hole features an undulating green that demands an accurate tee shot. Challenge the left side of the green to avoid the large greenside bunker and set up a good birdie chance.

Hole 5 – 376m, par 4

Aim between the two trees towards the left fairway bunker at 376m to keep tee shots right of the hazard lining the hole. Approaches should again favor the left-green side.

Hole 6 – 156m, par 3

This downhill 156m par 3 requires enough club to hold the left portion of the green. Shots missing left leave a difficult, downhill chip.

Hole 7 – 579m, par 5

The back tee on the scenic 579m par 5 seventh hole allows long hitters to carry the fairway bunkers with their drives. Play a fading tee shot towards the left side for the best angle of approach on the second shot. Aggressive players can attempt to reach this green in two shots.

Hole 8 – 416m, par 4

The 416m eighth hole, playing uphill and through trees, is rated the toughest par 4. Tee shots and second shots should both stay right of the trees to open up the approach.

Hole 9 – 397m, par 4

At 397m, challenge the creek crossing and aim drives between the lone tree left and right fairway bunker. Favour approaches to the right green side to avoid rear bunkers.

Hole 10 – 363m, par 4

The 363m par 4 tenth climbs uphill, demanding precise distance control on approach shots due to elevated green. Allow extra clubs to carry the fronting bunker.

Hole 11 – 554m, par 5

On this 554m par 5, tee shots challenge bunkers before the hole doglegs left. From there, aggressive second shots can reach the green in two shots.

Hole 12 – 347m, par 4

Though only 347m, elevation change and a raised green affect club selection on the par 4 twelfth hole. Favour high approaches to hold the putting surface.

Hole 13 – 514m, par 5

Keep right off the tee at 514m to challenge this downwind, reachable par 5. Safely past the lone fairway bunker, players can reach or lay up for a short pitch. Enjoy sea views and Mediterranean breezes.

Hole 14 – 167m, par 3

On this 167m par 3, proper club selection is key, especially when the pin is located on the elevated back tier. The swirling winds and front left greenside bunker also demand respect. To avoid a difficult up and down, add at least one extra club to carry the trouble.

Hole 15 – 326m, par 4

At 326m, tee shots left of the large fairway bunker set up the ideal angle of approach into an elevated, two-tiered green. Distance control is again vital on the approach.

Hole 16 – 435m, par 4

The 435m downhill 16th allows longer players a chance to reach this par 4 green in two shots while avoiding fairway bunkers left. Expect the wind to affect club selection.

Hole 17 – 213m, par 3

Aptly-placed cluster bunkers left of the 213m par 3 penultimate hole demand a right-sided shot played away from trouble.

Hole 18 – 348m, par 4

The 348m par 4 finishing hole plays uphill. Well-struck tee shots right of center feed balls back towards the fairway, setting up mid-to-short iron approaches. Study pin positions closely to avoid long, defensive putts.

Hole Distance, Par & Handicap

Hole	Distance (m)	Par	Handicap
1	458	5	11
2	387	4	4
3	335	4	12
4	188	3	16
5	376	4	7
6	156	3	17
7	579	5	3
8	416	4	1
9	397	4	5
10	363	4	10
11	554	5	6
12	347	4	8
13	514	5	18
14	167	3	14
15	326	4	13
16	435	4	2
17	213	3	9
18	348	4	15

Customer Service and Staff

Caddies greet you at your vehicle to begin an attentive concierge-style service. Starters detail your round’s objectives to best appreciate Alcanada’s charm.

Bag drop attendants prepare your equipment before providing post-round cleaning. Food and beverage crews supply on-course hydration needs while providing relaxing hospitality inside Alcanada’s splendid clubhouse restaurant.

Pro shop staff furnish friendly tips to navigate the course alongside premium equipment recommendations ideal for Alcanada’s conditions. Grounds and maintenance teams constantly prepare near-flawless lies with keen attention to detail.

Consistent recognition as Mallorca’s best-managed club verifies Alcanada’s wholehearted commitment to first-class hospitality.

Value for Money

Green fees vary from 60€ to 188€ depending on season and time of day, positioning Alcanada among Mallorca’s upper echelon in pricing. Such costs are counterbalanced by the calibre of course conditions and customer service exceeding nearly all comparable island offerings.

Prime season visitors feel steep rates seem commensurate upon encountering Alcanada’s postcard panoramas and prestigious pedigree. Conversely, high-season value-conscious guests may argue equivalently scenic courses located further from Palma provide preferable value.

Off-peak bargain hunters boast ideal settings for memorable golf at reasonable rates. Compared internationally, Alcanada sits alongside celebrated venues like Spain’s Finca Cortesin or Portugal’s Praia D’El Rey as an unforgettable Iberian gem meriting a pilgrimage.

Conclusion

Since debuting in 2003, Alcanada Golf Club has proudly assumed the crown as Mallorca’s elite golfing experience. Players from across Europe flock to the island seeking Alcanada’s rare trifecta of beauty, playability and service.

Manicured fairways skirt crystalline waters, with strategic bunkers punctuating Trent Jones’ sublime design. Consistent quality course preparation and member-like hospitality make Alcanada a model venue befitting Mallorca’s idyllic landscape.

While green fees reside at the upper end of island offerings, value remains through intangible beauty and memories lasting beyond your final putt. For unrivalled playing conditions across a breathtaking canvas, Alcanada Golf Club remains an essential destination for the most discerning golfing traveller.

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