Mallorca

The best-conditioned course in Spain and it's not particularly close. Thomas Himmel design ten minutes east of Palma airport with bentgrass greens, framed bunkering, and a routing that uses the natural elevation without faking anything. Pricey, walkable in cooler months, and worth every euro — book the morning slot before the wind picks up.

Robert Trent Jones Jr.'s best European work, sitting on the northeast coast with the Alcanada lighthouse anchoring the bay views from the back nine. The 15th and 17th are postcard holes that actually play as good as they look. It's a 70-minute drive from Palma — do it anyway.

The flagship of the Arabella four-course campus just outside Palma, with thousand-year-old olive trees framing several holes and a layout that's stiffer than it looks off the tee. Stay at the Castillo or St. Regis and you'll get preferred rates and tee times. The other Arabella tracks (Son Vida, Son Quint, Son Quint Pitch & Putt) are right there if you want a half-day round.

Short, hilly, only nine original holes stretched into 18 with two sets of tees — sounds gimmicky, plays great. José Gancedo design tucked into the hills near the north coast with views back toward the bay. Bring the wedges and the camera, leave the driver in the car on half the holes.

The oldest course on Mallorca, opened 1964, redesigned by Kurt Rossknecht in 2009. Tighter and more old-school than Son Muntaner next door, with the original clubhouse — a converted finca — anchoring the property. Worth playing if you're staying on the Arabella campus; not worth a special trip.

Solid mid-tier track in Magaluf, 20 minutes west of Palma, with the longest layout on the island and water on a third of the holes. Not glamorous, not pretending to be — just a good honest round at a price that lets you justify the splurge at Son Gual. Recently renovated and back in shape.

Old-school members' club on the east coast, one of the original three courses on the island. Pine-lined parkland, modest yardage, and the kind of relaxed pace you get when nobody's trying to impress you. Good shoulder-season play if you're staying near Cala Millor.

The grand-old-castle play on a hill above Palma, on the Arabella golf campus with preferred access to all four courses. The most golf-functional luxury option on the island — walk out of the room, play 36, eat dinner without leaving the property. Old enough that some rooms feel dated; the suites are the move.

Beachside sister property to Castillo Son Vida, same Arabella golf access but with the Mediterranean out the back instead of a castle on a hill. Better for groups that want pool and water alongside the rounds. Twenty minutes to Son Gual, golf shuttle to the Arabella courses.

Restored 17th-century palace in Palma's Old Town, 14 rooms, the kind of place where you walk to dinner and don't think about a car. Right call if you want to base in Palma and accept the drive to courses. Small enough that a four-some books it out for the week.

Converted 19th-century military fortress on a cliff south of Palma, 15 minutes from the airport and 20 to Son Gual. Adults-only, dramatic as hell, and the best splurge option on the island if you don't need to be in town. Book the cliff-side rooms or don't bother.

Up on the northeast coast near Artà, 25 minutes from Alcanada and a world away from Palma. Smart pick if you're splitting nights between south and north — modern rooms, good restaurant, and you wake up next door to your best round of the week.

For groups of six or more, renting a finca or villa in the Pollença area beats hotel rooms by a wide margin. You're 10 minutes from Pollença golf, 30 from Alcanada, and you've got a kitchen, a pool, and somewhere to drink without paying hotel prices. Check VRBO and the local Mallorcan agencies.

Michelin-starred, set inside the Convent de la Missió hotel in Palma — tasting menu, quiet courtyard, and the rare star restaurant that's actually a good time. Lunch menu is the value play; dinner is the full commitment. Reserve a month out in season.

On Palma's harbor front, white tablecloths but not stiff, and the seafood is what you came for — grilled langoustines, fresh fish by the kilo, Mallorcan red shrimp when it's running. The kind of long lunch that ruins your afternoon tee time on purpose.

Two sisters cooking what their grandmother cooked, up in the mountain village of Caimari. Single tasting menu, all local ingredients, most of it from the garden out back. Worth the 40-minute drive from Palma. Lunch only most days — check before you go.

Michelin-starred in Deià, terrace under the lemon trees, mountain views down to the sea. The reason you build a day around lunch in Deià instead of squeezing in another round. Closed in winter, so plan accordingly.

Old-school Mallorcan cellar restaurant in Palma — wine barrels lining the walls, bullfight posters, lechona and tumbet and frito mallorquín done the way they've done it since 1958. Loud, cheap, perfect post-round dinner if you're tired of tasting menus.

Tapas across three floors of an old bakery in Palma's Old Town. Small plates, good wine list, the kind of place to land for the first night when you're tired and don't want to commit to a tasting menu. The lamb shoulder is the move.

On the pier in Port de Pollença, 360-degree water views, the best dinner option on the north coast. Mediterranean menu that leans seafood, fair prices for what it is, and an easy walk from any of the villas in the area. Sunset table beats the indoor.

Operating since 1700, serving ensaïmadas and hot chocolate in Palma's Old Town. The breakfast/mid-morning stop, not a destination dinner. Order the ensaïmada with the cabello de ángel and the almond ice cream even if it's nine in the morning.

Locals' tapas bar a block off Plaça Major, no tablecloth pretension, just good pintxos and cold beer. The lunch-between-rounds spot or the late-night stop after dinner went long. Cash is faster than card.