Golf Son Servera - Classic Mallorcan Golf by the Sea

Gunnar Kobin
Dec 12, 2025
4 min read

Updated: 6 days ago

Son Servera: Old-School Mallorca Golf

Son Servera Golf Club sits quietly in the hills on the north-eastern side of Mallorca.

Located just inland from Cala Millor and the quieter coastal towns of the Llevant region, this part of the island feels very different from the busier areas around Palma—more rural, less commercial, still closely connected to traditional Mallorcan life.

The course is defined by rolling inland terrain, stone walls, olive trees, farmland—place where Mallorca feels authentic rather than manufactured.

I came here specifically because I wanted to see what Mallorca golf looked like before it became a destination.

Away From the Tourist Zones

From the moment you arrive, Son Servera feels refreshingly natural. No towering hotels or artificial lakes carved into the land.

Instead, fairways weave through gently undulating countryside framed by dry stone walls, mature trees, open farmland.

The opening stretch plays deep inside a pine forest, where the corridors are narrow and genuinely challenging. Tee shots are framed tightly, ground is enclosed, any loss of accuracy gets punished immediately.

It's an intimate and demanding start requiring discipline from the first swing. I hit a decent drive on the 1st and still felt claustrophobic. My playing partner, a local member, just grinned and said, "Welcome to Son Servera."

As the course progresses, the layout gradually opens up. Forest thins, fairways widen, longer views across surrounding countryside appear, allowing the full scale of the property to unfold.

The contrast is deliberate and effective.

Second Oldest Course on the Island

Son Servera is the second oldest golf course on Mallorca, originally opened in 1967.

The layout was designed by John Harris, the respected British architect known for his restrained, strategic approach to course design. His philosophy of working with the land rather than overpowering it is still visible throughout.

Later refinements were introduced by Dave Thomas, former Ryder Cup player and accomplished architect, who enhanced strategic elements while preserving the traditional character of the layout.

You can feel that history when you play it. This isn't trying to be modern or flashy. It's just... golf.

Strategy Over Distance

Son Servera isn't long by modern standards, but it's quietly demanding.

The constant change of direction forces you to think about shot shape rather than default to power. Tee shots must be positioned carefully, especially in the forest section where margins for error are slim.

When the course opens up, it tempts you to relax—but this is where strategic decisions become even more important. Fairways may appear generous, but the wrong side often leaves a much harder approach.

I learned this on the 11th when I hit a perfect drive distance-wise, wrong side of the fairway, and had to manufacture a weird punch shot around a tree. My playing partner hit it 20 yards shorter, correct side, and had a clear look at the green.

The greens are modest in size and subtly contoured, placing a premium on precise iron play and a reliable short game.

Perfect Base for Multi-Course Trip

One of Son Servera's great advantages is its location. The north-eastern corner of Mallorca has quietly become one of the island's strongest golf regions.

Within a short drive you'll find Pula Golf, Canyamel Golf, Capdepera Golf, Vall d'Or, making Son Servera an ideal base for a multi-day golf trip without long transfers.

Each of these courses offers a different style—from the championship challenge of Pula to the dramatic inland terrain of Capdepera—giving the area real depth for serious golfers.

I stayed in Cala Millor for three days and played four courses without driving more than 20 minutes. Can't do that in most places.

Feels Like Mallorca Used to Feel

What truly sets Son Servera apart is its atmosphere. There's no sense of hurry here.

The clubhouse feels like a local gathering place rather than a commercial center, and the entire property carries a calm authenticity that's increasingly rare in modern golf.

Walking the course deepens that impression. There's time to think, time to talk, time to appreciate the simple rhythm of the round.

I sat in the clubhouse after my round and watched a group of older Spanish members finish their game, laughing and arguing about who owed who money. It felt like a real club, not a tourist facility.

Why It Matters

Son Servera Golf Club isn't built to impress on Instagram. It's built to be played.

It may lack the length and spectacle of Mallorca's newer championship venues, but it offers something far more enduring—character.

The journey from narrow pine forest corridors to open farmland mirrors the soul of the island itself.

For golfers visiting Mallorca who want to experience the island's golfing roots, Son Servera is essential.

This is what golf courses looked like when they were designed to be golf courses, not real estate marketing tools. And that matters more than I expected it to when I booked the tee time.