Son Gual, 5983 meters, par 72

The jewel in the crown of Mallorcan golf has to be Son Gual, the most exclusive course to date which opened October 2008.The dream of German industrialist Adam Pamer, no expense was spared in the creation of this masterpiece.

Designed by three-time German Amateur Champion, Thomas Himmel, who molded the course into the landscape by moving 1.4 million cubic meters of earth.  Add in acres of vibrant wild flowers, 800 mature olive trees, bunkers the size of beaches, acres of water including a waterfall, tee to green conditioning which is impeccable and two superb closing holes. The result is a magnificent golfing experience.

It is already listed in the top one hundred courses of Europe, has established itself on the PGA Seniors Tour and is a probable future venue for the Mallorcan Classic, a regular European Tour event.

Alcanada, 6152 meters, par 72 

Located on the northern tip of Mallorca close to the town of Alcudia and owned and built by Peter Porsche of car family fame, it was opened  in October 2003. 

Two essential requirements for a top category golf course, a privileged setting and a first rate architect.  Both Robert Trent Jones Snr and Jnr were involved in creating a course designed for difficult pars and easy bogies.  The course is long and reasonably open, the scenery is spectacular, running from the coast up into the rolling hills.  The view across the bay to Alcudia with the island and its lighthouse is a special feature.  Plenty of very elevated tee shots means the wind often comes into play on the holes near the sea.  Bunkers are used to great effect. The fairways are lush, perfectly manicured with the greens fast and true.   A true hidden gem in the north of the island.

Son Vida,  5601 meters, par 71

Son Vida is the oldest golf course on the island.  F.W. Hawtree originally designed Son Vida and the course opened for play in 1964.  In 2001, German architect Kurt Rossknecht remodeled and improved the layout, especially the greens, which are now beautifully contoured and very slick.

Son Vida must be one of the island`s most beautiful courses and there are some stunning views. Some of the fairways appear very tight from the tees but they widen appreciably around the landing area of a decent drive.  A number of the two-shot holes feature difficult doglegs, which will tempt the bigger hitters.  Son Vida is a solid course that offers beauty and variety.  The closing five holes are especially challenging and the 18th is a testing par five featuring a double dogleg and two lakes and a stream.  If you make the green in two then reward yourself with a drink in the clubhouse.

Son Quint, 5929 meters, par 72

The third and final addition to the Arabella Resort courses, Son Quint opened in September 2007 and is located in a picturesque setting a stone's throw from the Son Vida & Son Muntaner .  Due to its elevated position, there are lovely views over the Bay of Palma and the ubiquitous pine and olive trees, set amongst two giant lakes, make for another glorious environment in which to play golf.  And it is well placed to catch the cooling sea breezes in the hot summer months.  The course itself, whilst not hilly, has plenty of contours with which to test your judgment and the greens are notably fast.  Four different tee-box positions and an abundance of sand traps create challenges for all levels of players.  Notable is the tee shot on the 8th hole, which has Palma Cathedral as the backdrop and the 12th, a par three with a frightening carry over water.  Only a narrow escape route helps those not willing to take it on.   A modern course in every sense, including a club house with great facilities and buggies that come programmed with GPS, Son Quint is a rising star on the Mallorca golf scene.

Son Muntaner, 5968 meters, par 72

This is the senior of the three courses of the Arabella Golf Resort opened in 2001.

Kurt Rossknecht, the architect behind many of the top courses in Germany  (Motzener See, Gut Thailing and Am Alten Fliess ),  not only laid out the 18 holes at Son Muntaner , he also upgraded the neighboring Son Vida course at the same time.

The course is surprisingly lush for a Mediterranean layout; it is routed over rolling terrain in two loops of nine, with ponds coming into play at several of the holes on the front nine.  Stone dykes have been incorporated into the design (the par four features a delightful ha-ha wall) and many of the greens are pleasantly hourglass-shaped.

The 15th stands out as a difficult and long uphill par 5, and water has been used on several holes to great effect.  Beautifully maintained by a very professional team who look after all three courses, Son Muntaner will not disappoint the most seasoned of players.

John Little, Mallorca Golf Connection.  

 

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