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FROM Read's Hotel there are five courses within 25 minutes and a sixth is 40 minutes away. This is Son Antem, the rising star of the island's golfing scene and part of the boom that is transforming the game, and the tourist industry, in Majorca.
For many years the island had only three 18 hole courses, Son Vida, the first to be built, Santa Ponsa and Poniente, and two nine holers, Pollensa and Son Severa. Now there are 13 clubs with publicly accessible courses, including the two nine holers, which are soon to be extended to 18.
So things are progressing nicely on the Majorcan golfing front, a bonus being that the spread of courses around the coastline brings oodles of choice in where to play and, equally important, where to stay.
The island is roughly oval in shape, about 50 miles wide and about 40 deep so nowhere is more than a hour's drive from anywhere since the network of major roads was up-graded.
There are six courses in the south west corner, near Palma, and four more in the north east, near Arta, plus one in each of the other corners. The newest, Son Termens, is just north of Palma, near Read's Hotel.
Thus, it would be possible to reach the courses of Canyamel, Pula and Capdepera in the north east from a hotel near Palma in the south, although in both cases such are the attractions locally that few are tempted to wander.
You could stay at Read's Hotel, for instance, and comfortably reach all of the southern clubs, thanks to the ring road that now skirts the capital. Similarly, those staying at Real Bendinat Country Club are minutes away from the other courses near Palma.
This seems to be the favoured option for golfers, particularly male groups seeking après golf action in and around Palma. There's plenty of it, plus attractions to cater to every interest.
The improved road system now puts everything within easy reach, particularly the coastline which in parts is sheer cliffs often overlooking hidden bays.
UPON leaving Read's, I stayed briefly near the little town of Port Andraix and was enchanted. What was once a fishing village has become a gently bustling marina with a multitude of shops and restaurants on three sides. It's just one of several such havens where one may lunch or dine al fresco at most reasonable rates.
Sit and watch the world go by on land and water, the scent of jasmine and orange blossom drifting on the cooling sea breeze, and there are few more appealing prospects to enhance a golfing holiday.
The high season for golf is February, March and October, when courses tend to be crowded. April-June is mid-season and a good time to visit, particularly after Easter when the courses are less populated and the temperature hovers around 75F, although by then hotel rates have begun their annual climb.
The low season for golf is July and August and December and January but the island is bulging with the bucket and spade crowd in the summer months and flight and accommodation costs spiral upwards, as they do too at Christmas-time.
With constant sea breezes, and by using a cooling golf cart, it is possible to play through the summer and autumn and some property- owning holidaymakers, at Real Bendinat for instance, do this.
So post-Easter, June and November are ideal in terms of weather and golfing population and the month of January, post-New Year, is tops for value, when hotel rates are at their lowest. The weather then can be suspect but often it's mild and sunny and often ideal.
The only problem is that over the winter period many of the al fresco attractions are closed, including some restaurants. From experience, though, the clubhouse restaurants are agreeable alternatives in terms of quality of cuisine and service.
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