Golf Son Vida
Golf Son Vida is the oldest course on Mallorca, opened in 1964 in the exclusive hills above Palma and inaugurated by Prince Rainier of Monaco. Originally laid out by F.W. Hawtree and redesigned in 2001 by Kurt Rossknecht, it is a par 71 parkland course steeped in island history and now part of the Arabella Golf resort.
Photo: Golf Son Vida via Google.
The verdict
Son Vida is where golf on Mallorca began. Opened in 1964 and famously inaugurated by Prince Rainier, it set the template for the island as a winter golf destination, and it still carries that sense of heritage in its mature, tree lined fairways and its position among the villas of the Son Vida hills above Palma.
A 2001 redesign by Kurt Rossknecht modernized the layout, and as one of three courses at the Arabella Golf resort it sits at the heart of the best golf complex on the island. It suits the golfer who values history and convenience over raw length, and it anchors a multi course Palma stay. See our best of Spain ranking and the golf in Spain guide for context.
Golf Son Vida at a glance
- Course opened
- 1964
- Designer
- F.W. Hawtree, redesign Kurt Rossknecht
- Type
- Parkland, historic
- Par
- 71
- Yardage
- About 5,600 m
- Green fee
- From about 95 euros
Designer, year and par verified June 2026 from Arabella Golf, Top 100 Golf Courses and course databases. Son Vida, originally by F.W. Hawtree, opened in 1964 and was redesigned by Kurt Rossknecht in 2001, a par 71 of roughly 5,600 meters in the hills above Palma. Green fees ran from about 95 euros as an indicative 2026 guide; figures change by season and year. Always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Son Vida is a course of position and placement rather than power. The fairways wind between mature trees and the villas of the estate, the changes in elevation give blind tee shots and downhill approaches, and at a shade over 5,600 meters it is the angles and the green complexes, not the yardage, that defend par.
Rossknecht's redesign sharpened the greens and bunkering while keeping the old course's character, so the round still feels like the historic layout it is. The views over Palma and the bay open up from the higher holes, and the closing stretch back toward the clubhouse rewards a tidy, well managed game.
It is not the longest or the most dramatic of the Arabella three, but it is the one with the soul, the course that started it all on Mallorca. Played as part of a resort stay alongside its bigger sisters, it adds genuine heritage to an island golf week.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Open to visiting golfers and resort guests all year; book ahead in the busy winter and spring seasons |
| Green fee | From about 95 euros as an indicative 2026 guide; rates vary by day, season and resort package |
| Booking | Reserve online or through Arabella Golf; resort packages across the three courses are the natural choice |
| On the day | Hilly parkland with elevation changes; buggies recommended; standard golf dress code with collared shirts |
| Getting there | Son Vida, in the hills above Palma, about 10 minutes from the city and 20 minutes from Palma airport |
| Best months | Year round golf; the mild winter and spring are peak Mallorca golf season |
Fees and access verified June 2026; the indicative green fees reflect 2026 pricing and vary by season, so always confirm the current rate and tee availability directly with the club or your trip planner before booking. Book a tee time through our trip desk.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is the Arabella resort itself in the Son Vida hills, where luxury hotels sit among the three courses, giving golfers short transfers and access to the whole complex from one address above Palma.
With three courses on the estate, a Son Vida stay pairs the historic layout with its modern sisters Son Muntaner and the wider Mallorca scene, from the seaside drama of Alcanada in the north to the resort courses of the east.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Golf Son Vida.
Build a Mallorca golf trip
We book the tee times at Son Vida and its Arabella sisters, base you in the hills above Palma and build the rest of a Mallorca golf week around your golf. Tell us roughly when and who is traveling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Golf Son Vida questions
How old is Golf Son Vida?
Golf Son Vida opened in 1964 and is the oldest golf course on Mallorca. It was famously inaugurated by Prince Rainier of Monaco and helped establish the island as a winter golf destination.
Who designed Son Vida?
The course was originally laid out by F.W. Hawtree and was redesigned in 2001 by the German architect Kurt Rossknecht, who sharpened the greens and bunkering while keeping its historic character.
What is the par and length?
It is a par 71 measuring roughly 5,600 meters, a hilly parkland layout where position, elevation changes and the green complexes defend par rather than raw length.
Can visitors play Son Vida?
Yes. It is open to visiting golfers and resort guests all year as one of three courses at the Arabella Golf resort. Book ahead in the busy winter and spring seasons.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, year and par verified June 2026; fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.