Pula Golf Resort Review

Situated on the east side of the island of Mallorca, Pula Golf Resort sits proudly in one of the most scenic parts of the island, just 50 minutes away from the airport and a short hop to the sea. 

Boasting an eight-time European Tour event golf course, the resort also plays host to a quaint selection of accommodation along with spa & gym facilities, on outdoor swimming pool, the S'Era de Pula Restaurant, and the incredible manor house, which dates back to 1581.

The golf course was opened in 1995, but it wasn't until Ryder Cup legend, Jose Maria Olazabal, redesigned it in 2004 with some further amendments in 2006 that achieved the aim of bringing the course in line with the demands of professional and tournament golf. 

Watch Now: Pula Golf Video Review

Pre-Round Thoughts

Staying on-site, you are able to familiarise yourself with the resort and facilities well before heading to the tee. 

There is a two-tier driving range, equipped with Trackman technology on every bay, a short pitching area, as well as two sizeable putting greens, including one of which where chipping is permitted. 

The pro shop has a great selection of ladies and gents clothing and equipment along with all other consumables that would be required during your visit. 

The starter will give you a rundown of the course, parts to watch out for and any other information you may require before heading up to the first tee.

Front 9 Overview

A relatively gentle opener, which sits on the clubhouse side of the road along with the 18th hole, it falls away from the tee box with two large bunkers on the right hand side of the fairway. There is OOB on both sides, so placement off the tee is key. Playing around 400 yards from the yellow tee box, a shot just short of the bunkers will leave a longer, but smarter approach shot into a sizeable green well-guarded by a large bunker short left. 

The 3rd hole has a rather large ravine to hit over, with tall trees either side of the fairway. The first fairway bunker is a great starting point with a gentle left to right shot. 

The green is a fairly narrow looking surface slightly raised from the fairway, with a large deep bunker ready to grab anything short and left. A stroke index of 4, and can easily see why. 

The first sighting of water arrives on the 5th hole. A fairly short par 4 at 320 yards from the yellow tee. The water runs up the right hand side of the fairway, so either an iron for placement, or hitting driver to try and cover the water around 230/240 yards might also be an option. Navigate that successfully, and a generous putting surface should cause no issue. 

More aqua comes at the 6th, and the first par 5. The pond on the right hand side cuts into the fairway around 240 yards, so club choice from the tee needs some thought. The second shot heads up a narrow looking gap between the overhanging trees and slightly uphill to the green, which also has a tier halfway up so the final approach shot also requires some thought. A great hole from start to finish. 

There is a tough end to the front 9. With the 8th being a long par 3 with the other side of the pond on the 6th hole to avoid to the left of this green. It's a big enough green to aim for, but don't be sucked into any pin on the left hand side of the green. 

At stroke index 2, the par 5 9th only plays 490 yards from the yellow tee. But it is fraught with danger. 

The water off the tee up the right hand side has you aiming slightly left, but the large fairway bunker is there to stop anything too far left. 

Depending on the distance and result of the tee shot, your second will be over a stream/ditch that runs into the large pond on the right. 

Severely uphill to the green, a solo bunker sits in the middle and short of the green. Depending on pin placement the last shot into the green could be playing up to three clubs difference before you have taken the additional slope into account. 

A really strong finish to a superb front 9. 

Back 9 Overview

From another raised tee box, the 11th hole provides an incredible scenic view, but your attention is brought back to the pond that sits between tee and green. A 300 yard par 4 that will require an iron from the tee to be short of the water which is around 230 yards.

A fairly small green in comparison to most of the others, but you should only be hitting a wedge or short iron so distance control is key. 

This is then followed by a generous par 5 at 471 yards. A blind tee shot with bunkers either side of the fairway to be avoided should leave the majority of players with a good chance of getting on the green in two, or at least giving it a good go. Just be mindful of the bunker on the right hand side which runs all the way from front to back of the green. 

Another solid tee view on the 16th, a strong 400 yard par 4. Water running pretty much all the way up the left hand side of this hole as it moves from right to left, so the safer the tee shot, the longer the second, with the water still in play up to the green. 

The hardest hole on the course, also the penultimate hole, doglegs 90 degrees from left to right. Big hitters will be tempted to try and take on as much of the corner as possible. But three pot bunkers are waiting out of sight. The landing area from the tee is well guarded on the left hand side too, with three more bunkers, before an uphill approach to a green which is partially blind from the fairway as the hole moves up. 

A par 3 to finish in front of the clubhouse and terrace where those that have already finished may be watching on to see how you fair with a cold one already in hand. 

Covering the bunkers both sides of the green will be crucial in order to give yourself a final birdie chance and a fitting end to a great, but fun, test of golf.  

Accommodation

Pula Golf Resort has some great offerings of on-site accommodation making it a great place to stay and play, whether you're a small or large group. 

There is lots to pick from too. 

Inside the old 16th century manor house, there are some incredible stone built suites on offer with some great views looking out onto the driving range and practice facilities - you may even be tempted by the presidential suite.

The Deluxe Apartments are also fantastic and spacious with kitchen and living area. 

All rooms will be accompanied by unlimited golf offerings. 

Spa

The on-site spa and gym offer some great training equipment should you have the urge.

You can enjoy a heated indoor swimming pool and whirlpool, alongside the serenity of the enclosed feeling of the outdoor pool. You can also unwind in the Turkish bath or dry sauna or make use of one of the three different types of showers on offer. A Scottish Shower is ideal for muscle relaxation and stress relief, while you can book a hydromassage shower or even an ice shower for recovery. 

Food & Drink

The S'Era de Pula Restaurant is an elegant and rustic Mediterranean eatery overlooking the golf course. There is a great selection of local cuisine as well as bar snack options for a quick bite. 

The relaxed atmosphere in an ideal setting is a great place to either grab a quick bite after a morning round, or dressing up for a lovely dinner as the sun goes down. The buffet style breakfast is also highly recommended. 

Grounds

The grounds of the resort are also worth taking some time to check out. Whether it's the old manor house, the cute windmill behind some of the rooms, or the idealistic gardens where many of the fruits and vegetables are home grown - also, make sure you go and say hello to the incredibly friendly chickens. 

Pula Golf Course Video Review

Post-Round Thoughts

The course at Pula Golf Resort has a bit of everything, for everyone. Long and short par 3s. Plenty of water. Some tempting par 4s to a mixture of difficulties and length with the par 5s. 

Lots of water comes into play and some testing bunkering but all can be avoided. 

The greens, as with many resort type courses, are mainly a fair size, but leaving yourself some testing putts on some undulating and slick surfaces will almost be a certainty. Your short game will need to be up to scratch if you want to try and put a score together. 

There are four different tee options, ranging from 5,580 yards to 6,890 yards. So selecting the right tee box will affect how tough you make it for yourself, but also how much fun you want to have. In our group, we had two from the whites and two from the yellows and it matched up ability extremely well and led to a great experience for us all. 

The terrace bar is a great place to stop and have a drink and watch as other finish their rounds - a great addition to the experience. 

Verdict

To sum up, Pula is more than just a golf resort. There is enough to do for non-golfers in the area, should you be looking for a couples getaway that includes some golf, or a group of friends looking for a great place to stay and play some unlimited golf in great weather. 

The course is fantastic and offers a great but testing experience regardless of ability level - again, great for groups of golfers of mixed abilities. 

There is a lot of history at Pula Golf Resort, and lots more to come in the future as its golfing reputation continues to grow. 

Pula Golf Resort will be spoken about very fondly by me and comes Highly Recommended. 

For more information, please visit https://www.pulagolf.com/EN/home.html or check out our travel partners Golfbreaks for the best deals and packages today.

Overall Rating - 9

Course (Conditions) - 9

Course (Hole Variety/Layout) - 9

Course (Green Condition) - 10

Course (Challenge/Difficulty) - 8

Club Facilities & Clubhouse - 9

Practice Facilities - 9

Friendliness/Hospitality - 10

Pace of Play - 9

Value For Money - 9