Golf Andratx

Along Mallorca’s picturesque southwest coast lies Golf Andratx, an immaculately designed championship course renowned for its stunning seaside scenery and unique set of sweeping doglegs and perilous forced carries.

As one of the most established clubs on the island, Golf Andratx balances natural beauty and exceptional playability across a sprawling landscape dotted with stone villas, olive groves, and the glittering Mediterranean Sea.

Course Overview

The 18-hole, par 72 Golf Andratx winds 6,558 metres from the championship tees, though multiple sets accommodate golfers of all abilities. The course architect sculpted rippling fairways that tumble down towards the Camp de Mar bay, incorporating elevation changes of over 100 metres throughout the round.

Strategically-placed bunkers and water hazards demand precision while undulating greens keep putters on their toes. The remarkable scenery changes with virtually every hole thanks to an ingenious routing across both seafront cliffs and inland hillsides.

Amenities and Facilities

As one might expect at a premier Mallorcan club, Golf Andratx’s practice area and clubhouse amenities are truly first-rate. The double-ended driving range stretches over 300 metres with designated practice bunkers nearby, while a sprawling putting green lets golfers hone their short game.

The stately clubhouse overlooking the 18th green houses locker rooms, a well-stocked pro shop, and Campino, an upscale restaurant serving refined Italian cuisine across two stylish dining rooms.

Course Layout and Design

Golf Andratx blends picturesque beauty with risk-reward design elements. The opening holes play gently alongside villas with some over-the-water fun on the 4th. A brutish par 5’s at 6 stretches over 600 metres, the longest par 5 in Spain. Shorter holes like the 9th and 15th demand supreme distance control and a delicate putting touch to avoid three-putt disasters.

Playing Experience

From the undulating terrain to frequent wind exposure to rock-walled cart paths conforming to the land’s natural shape, Golf Andratx fully immerses visitors in Mallorca’s exotic landscape.

Most holes frame postcard views of the Camp de Mar bay which can prove quite distracting amidst the challenge at hand. While carts help manage the endless elevation changes, walking is manageable early in the day before the midday heat sets in.

Quick-playing resort guests are common, though the professional starters ensure proper pacing even during the busier times. Playing at a moderate pace, our three-ball completed the round in just under four hours.

Conditions and Maintenance

Overall course conditioning ranges from adequate to pristine depending upon seasonality. Fairways offer reasonably good coverage and lies for early spring, though inconsistent patches of dried grass do exist.

Bunkers are nicely groomed if often quite firm from drainage. Greens roll predominantly smooth despite some mild undulations, contributing to above-average putting surfaces for Mediterranean standards.

Recent upgrades have enhanced several holes, though weedy rough areas do persist in less prominent locations.

Scenery and Atmosphere

Considered among Mallorca’s most scenic offerings, Golf Andratx toggles between lively seaside holes and peaceful inland corridors lined with villas and lush vegetation. Watching sailboats drift along the glittering Mediterranean never grows tiring, nor do the panoramic vistas of mountains and verdant countryside.

The club smartly preserved much of the indigenous landscape, from craggy shorelines to open meadows dotted with fragrant orange trees. While large property developments do border a few holes, one need not look far to see Mallorca’s exotic ecosystem thriving amidst the golf course.

The signature 6th conjures tension as golfers confront a 600-metre minefield of bunkers and forced carries to conquer the infamous “Green Monster”. Thankfully the delightful par-4 8th allows recovery both physically via its open playing corridor and emotionally through champagne views of sapphire waters.

One visitor enthusiastically noted the Halfway Hut’s tree-covered terrace overlooking hole 8 as the ideal spot for tapas and a cold drink when weather permits.

Local Knowledge and Tips

Regular visitors strongly advise embracing the ubiquitous elevation changes and avoiding hero carries over ravines where bogey is often the wise play. Patience and club selection are key as yardages shift significantly between tees and pin locations.

To fully appreciate Golf Andratx’s stunning scenery, one should consider an earlier starting time as midday winds intensify and the summer heat becomes oppressive. Guests also applaud the pace and quality at Campino restaurant, situated conveniently steps from the final green.

Hole 1 – 352m, par 4

I’d hit a controlled 270-metre drive down the left side of the fairway to set up an approach from 130 metres out. My gap wedge would land 10 meters short and release just past the pin for a reasonable birdie putt. Conservative strategy is key on this tricky opener.

Hole 2 – 161m, par 3

Facing a 161 meter par 3 with trouble surrounding the green, I’d hit a smooth 7-iron to a front pin. My shot would land soft just before the green and spin 10 feet from the flag for a good look at birdie. Anything short gets wet while long leaves a tricky up and down. Keeping the ball below the hole is key on this tricky test.

Hole 3 – 310m, par 4

I can carry 300 meters off the tee, so I’d blast a high draw towards the left side of the dogleg green. My ball would land 10 meters short and bound up near the pin for an eagle chance. Laying back leaves an 80-metre pitch, but bringing the right bunkers into play risks a big number. Being aggressive on this short, scoreable par 4 is key.

Hole 4 – 161m, par 3

This picturesque 161-metre par 3 requires supreme focus. I’d hit a smoothly struck 6-iron that flies 150 metres and lands softly just right of the flag to avoid the front bunker and feeding down to the water. The tiered green slopes back-to-front so the ideal position is below the hole for an uphill birdie putt. Any miss right brings out of bounds into play making the left side the smart play.

Hole 5 – 485m, par 5

I’d recommend hitting a controlled 270-meter drive in the left portion of this winding fairway. From 215 meters out, a rescue club can reach the green but brings sand into play. For most, laying up to a 100-meter wedge approach avoids trouble and sets up a solid birdie chance on this challenging three-shotter.

Hole 6 – 609m, par 5

This iconic 609-metre par 5 demands perfect execution. After a 320-metre tee shot avoiding fairway bunkers, the uphill second shot must skirt left or right of trees blocking the ideal line 240 metres out. Many will lay up short of the water, leaving a 100-metre shot to an elevated two-tiered green. Scrambling for par on Spain’s longest hole feels like a birdie. Choose wisely between aggression or discretion based on your game.

Hole 7 – 242m, par 4

At just 242 metres, accuracy is more important than length on this temping risk-reward par 4. I’d recommend most players lay up with a 200-metre tee shot, avoiding fairway bunkers and setting up a 50-metre pitch over the stone wall guarding the front of the green. Conservative play leaves an easy up-and-down for par while reaching this tiered green in one brings bogey or worse into play.

Hole 8 – 405m, par 4

This spectacular 405-metrr par 4 demands both power and precision. After a 260-meter drive, the approach from 145 metres must avoid the water left and hold the steeply sloped green. Missing right leaves a tricky up-and-down for par. The idyllic scenery belies the challenge making this a potential card-wrecker demanding consecutive quality shots.

Hole 9 – 158m, par 3

On this 158-metre par 3, carry the water hazard with a smoothly struck mid-iron that holds the left half of the angled green sloping right towards the water. Too long brings bunkers into play. With trouble everywhere, the smart play is to the middle and hopefully walk away with par.

Hole 10 – 484m, par 5

Aim left off this dogleg right par 5 to set up the ideal line into an elevated green in two shots. Carry the fairway bunkers 240 metres out then play a slight draw towards the right side 260 metres away. Staying left provides the greatest margin for error on the approach. Keep it below the hole to avoid a very difficult bunker shot left.

Hole 11 – 426m, par 4

Aim left on this downhill 426-metre par 4 to a severely back-to-front sloped green. Drive to 240 metres off the tee then play a draw from 185 metres out towards the middle of the green. Miscalculations long or right make par unlikely, so favour the left side for the best angle of approach. The slope helps hold the green with a proper distance.

Hole 12 – 346m, par 4

A straight iron off the tee avoids the fairway bunker on this 346-metre dogleg right par 4. The uphill approach to the green offers a good birdie chance. Enjoy the view of Camp de Mar bay from the sloped green. Smart conservative play is rewarded here.

Hole 13 – 371m, par 4

The tee shot on this 371-meter par 4 must avoid left and right fairway bunkers. From 130 out, carry the fronting water with a mid-iron that holds the upper tier of a two-tiered green protected by surrounding sand. Missing long will leave a difficult up-and-down for par. Conservative positioning is key on this classic risk-reward hole.

Hole 14 – 279m, par 4

The drive on this 279-meter dogleg right par 4 should favour the left side for the ideal angle. From 80 meters out, judged well due to an obscured view, the pitch must hold one of Golf Andratx’s most severely sloped greens. Lagging close for par takes focus as the hard green rejects any mishits. Finesse and course management are rewarded here.

Hole 15 – 186m, par 3

On this downhill 186-meter par 3, aim for the middle of a green guarded left and right by out-of-bounds and multiple bunkers to the right. Let the elevation provide extra clubhead speed for this mid-iron shot while maintaining balance. The green’s front-to-back slope helps hold well-struck shots near the pin. Keeping tee shots below the hole is advised.

Hole 16 – 315m, par 4

The drive on this 315-metre par 4 should favour position in the narrow fairway over distance. From 80 meters out, the approach must carry Paco’s Pond while holding one of Golf Andratx’s larger greens. Conservative positioning leaves an open approach and a possible birdie while reaching the green in one brings the water more into play.

Hole 17 – 344m, par 4

The drive on this uphill 344-metre dogleg left par 4 must carry 250 metres to set up a clear view of an elevated green protected right by two bunkers to the right. Out-of-bounds left places a premium on an accurate drive. The raised green slopes back-to-front, so keeping approach shots below the hole allows for the best birdie chance.

Hole 18 – 455m, par 5

The drive on this 455-metre finishing hole must avoid water to the left to set up a chance of reaching this par 5 in two shots. From 205 metres, the raised green is accessible but bringing the left water hazard into play can ruin a solid round. Conservative layups remaining safely short leave a simple chip and putt for a closing birdie.

Hole Distance, Par & Handicap

Hole	Distance (m)	Par	Handicap
1	352	4	11
2	161	3	7
3	310	4	17
4	161	3	9
5	485	5	5
6	609	5	1
7	242	4	15
8	405	4	3
9	158	3	13
10	484	5	8
11	426	4	2
12	346	4	6
13	371	4	10
14	279	4	18
15	186	3	16
16	315	4	14
17	344	4	12
18	455	5	4

Customer Service and Staff

Visitors praise Golf Andratx’s professional staff across essential guest-facing positions like starters, marshals and the clubhouse team. The friendly pro shop staff accommodate special equipment needs while on-course instructors offer private lessons and group clinics tailored to one’s goals and skill level.

Multiple visitors did cite brusque treatment regarding minor scheduling issues and billing disputes from select staff members, though the club addressed these matters directly and additional training was planned.

Value for Money

Green fees currently range from 96€ to 140€ depending upon season, on par with rates at other prestigious Mallorcan clubs. Required fees for cart and range balls do inflate the total cost, producing mixed reactions on overall value.

Compared to mainland Spanish courses, Golf Andratx prices are on the higher side, compelling some cost-conscious travellers to seek alternatives nearby. However, visitors willing to invest more for first-rate conditions and sublime scenery largely praise the experience relative to the rates.

Discounts for loyalty cardholders, replay rounds, and twilight starts help offset peak pricing.

Conclusion

Blending world-class hospitality with Mallorca’s breathtaking landscapes, Golf Andratx captivates golfers through elevated playability and Mediterranean beauty. Strategic architects incorporated the island’s exotic topography into a memorable layout filled with risk-reward tee shots and cliffside greens backdropped by yachts and quaint Spanish villas.

Supreme course conditioning wavers at times, albeit greens and scenic vistas satisfy more than most area offerings do. While premium rates limit value for some, an unforgettable round here undoubtedly justifies the added expense for travellers demanding the best of Mallorca.

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