• On the Course

Class on show at Son Gual

Son Gual played host to the European Seniors Open © Getty Images

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Alcanada, Son Gual, Son Muntaner. They are not venues that figured on ESPN's radar a few weeks ago, but they will live long in the memory bank following a trip to Mallorca.

ESPN adopts a 'has clubs, will travel' philosophy and no second invitation was needed to leave freezing England for a bit of spring golf in Mallorca.

Monarch fly year round from Gatwick and Manchester to Palma and there are no fewer than 24 courses to choose from on the island. Hard though we tried to extend the trip, we only had the chance to play three of the courses. But it's fair to say that we made some astute choices.

Son Gual is the most talked about of the courses on Mallorca, with its reputation burgeoning even though it has only been open since 2007. Rafael Nadal is a regular visitor to Son Gual. It's disappointing to report that the tennis superstar was not there to witness the silky swing of ESPN's finest, as he had bigger fish to fry in America.

Whether Rafa would have been there or not would have mattered little to us, as the moment you step on to the first tee you are solely focused on the challenge ahead. From the yellow tees it is 6500 yards, while from the blacks you are charged with having to work it round 7250 yards.

Son Gual is a true test but it is one that the mid to high handicapper will enjoy just as much as your single-figure player. We found Son Gual on a rare Mallorcan day when the heavens opened, but the course stood up superbly which was due in no small part to the new drainage system that was installed a couple of years ago. Marketing manager Andreas Pamer informed us that within two hours of even the heaviest downpours the fairways will tolerate buggies being used - or a Segway. Yes, Son Gual has Segways for hire. Those of a nervous disposition may be advised to steer clear but once mastered they are a superb accompaniment to the round.

But do not think of them as a gimmick that masks shortcomings on the course, as you could strip down to basics and walk with your bag and enjoy the course immensely. The Thomas Himmel design is superb and you do feel that the course will only improve as it matures. Located just 15 minutes from the centre of Palma and a similar distance from the airport, it is ideally situated to be played at any time during your trip.

Picking a highlight is far from easy as there are a number of stunning holes, the ninth which is a par three played towards the clubhouse with a green sloping back towards a lake is taking to the eye. But the more visually stunning holes are on the back nine - the par five 12th with water in play on both sides, the risk-reward par four 14th - and the standout in my opinion - the par five 18th which offers the long hitter the chance to take an ultra-aggressive line and reach the green in two.

The greens really are impeccable, tricky yet still offering the average golfer the chance to run at the hole. Tee boxes are often an indicator of a quality of a course and Son Gual's are among the best I've ever played on. Huge expanses of superbly manicured grass - some courses would be proud to have greens of the standard of these tees - give the impression of quality.

The whole establishment oozes quality, with fine dining available, but the atmosphere in and around the clubhouse is relaxed and welcoming with management and staff alike happy to engage in conversation. Playing on a course ranked in Golf World's Top 100 in Continental Europe and with greens Masters winner Ian Woosnam has compared favourably with Augusta, comes at a premium and at €150 for a day's golf - it is a sizeable investment. But if you are taking a trip to Mallorca to play some golf you are unlikely to be doing it on a shoestring budget and you will not be disappointed if you make Son Gual one of your ports of call.

Those looking for a high-class base for their trip to Mallorca need look no further than the Castillo Hotel Son Vida - a five star establishment on the outskirts of Palma. The castle, which is the centre of the complex, dates back to the 13th century and was reopened following an extensive renovation in 2006. Situated high up the hill on Son Vida, the views over Palma are stunning and guests have a range of fine dining options to choose from in the Es Castell, Es Vi and Bar Armas restaurants. A stay at the Castillo Son Vida affords guests reduced green fees on the adjacent Arabella courses - Son Vida, Son Quint and Son Muntaner - the latter we were fortunate enough to play on a beautiful spring day. The course meanders through a pine-tree-lined valley and offers a solid test of golf for all levels.

Alcanada's quality is not restricted to just the views © Alcanada Golf

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There are a raft of courses in the Palma area to keep you occupied, the tourist association - www.mallorcagolfisland.com - are happy to help book course for you to visit during your stay, but if you do decide to venture further afield then highly recommended is Alcanada. Set between the Sierra de Levante and bay of Alcudia, the setting really is one that takes the breath away. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jnr and opened in 2003, Alcanada will be a real test for the higher handicapper as we played it at a time when the rough was cut fairly low and the greens were, according to course director Kristoff Both, slow. I would have to disagree with the term slow, as the surfaces at Alcanada were as quick as I have ever played on and the borrows were so subtle they were tough to read. But this if anything made the challenge all the more enjoyable as it gives a sense of what the professionals have to contend with.

Golf:

Son Gual:
Cost: €150
Getting there: Son Gual Golf S.L.
Finca Son Gual
Ma 15 - Palma - Manacor
07199 Palma de Mallorca
www.son-gual.com

Alcanada Golf:
Cost: €105
Getting there: Alcanada Golf
Carretera del Faro s/n, 07410 Alcúdia
www.golf-alcanada.com

Son Muntaner:
Cost: €130 (75 for hotel guests)
Getting there: Son Muntaner
Carretera de Son Vida
E-07013 Palma de Mallorca
www.arabellagolf.com

Places to Stay: Castillo Son Vida (See above) C/Raixa, 2 E-07013 Palma de Mallorca

Hotel Hipocampo Palace
C/ S'estanyol 13
07560 - Cala Millor - Mallorca
Alcanada is only 45 minutes' drive from Palma, but there are enough courses in the Alcudia area to make an overnight stop worthwhile and the Hotel Hipocampo in Cala Millor is a relaxed venue which caters for the many golfers that flock to the region.

Eating out:
We did not have a great deal of time to sample the excellent nightlife Palma has to offer, but we did spend an excellent evening at MISA Braseria. Part of the chain of restaurants run by Marc Fosh, it offers excellent Mediterranean cuisine in a modern setting.

Getting there:
Leading leisure airline Monarch offers year-round flights to Mallorca from Gatwick and Manchester airports and flights during the summer season from Birmingham and London Luton with fares, including taxes, starting from £47.50 one way (£78.99 return). In addition to year-round low fares, Monarch also offers a range of hot and cold meals onboard with prices from £3.00. Seats can be pre-booked at £4.99 per one-way flight to avoid the last minute free-for-all experienced on some other airlines, or from only £9.99, extra-legroom seats are available, which offer up to six inches of extra space.

Passengers travelling on scheduled flights can also avoid the queues at the airport and take advantage of online check-in which is available between 18 days and 4.5 hours prior to departure. For more information or to book, visit www.monarch.co.uk.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.