Son Servera Golf

In the picturesque pine forests and olive groves of Costa de los Pinos in northeast Mallorca lies Club de Golf Son Servera, an immaculately maintained parkland-style golf course with spectacular views over the Bay of Cala Millor.

Established in 1967, it is the second oldest golf club on the island and is popular amongst both visitors and members for its challenging yet forgiving layout, first-class facilities, and renowned Majorcan hospitality.

Course Overview

Spread out over 18 holes and playing to a par of 72 from the back tees at 5,844 meters, Son Servera can provide a stern test to even the lowest handicappers whilst remaining an enjoyable experience for higher handicaps.

The front nine holes play through gentle undulations bordered by olive trees before entering the trickier and more dramatic ‘Pine Trap’ section, where narrow, tree-lined fairways wind through pine forests and over hilly terrain with significant elevation changes.

The more open and scoreable back nine allows golfers to regain composure and take advantage of any good play earlier in the round.

Amenities and Facilities

In addition to an exceptionally maintained course, the club provides excellent practice facilities including a long and sheltered driving range, two putting greens, and a well-stocked golf shop stocking all the major equipment brands.

The club’s handsome Mediterranean-style clubhouse overlooking the 18th hole and bay provides casual dining at the restaurant and a convivial spot for members to gather at the bar terrace for drinks both before and after their rounds.

Course Layout and Design

The opening holes ease the golfer into the round with wide landing areas off the tee, although positional play is still required on tree-lined doglegs and to avoid the various bunkers guarding the undulating Bermuda grass greens.

The challenge ramps up from the par-4 3rd, which doglegs sharply left from the back tees over a lake, into the notorious ‘Pine Trap’ section covering holes 3 through 7. Accuracy is paramount on the narrow holes that twist and turn through dense pine forests, with the pine straw-covered ground and trees severely punishing any wayward shots. The 9th offers some respite as the last hole of the front nine, playing gently downhill between avenues of trees.

The back nine sees a return to more open and scoreable holes, where the chief defence comes from tricky green complexes, elevated tees causing difficulty in depth perception, and strategic bunkering placement – although water and trees still come into play on certain holes.

Playing Experience

Visitors indicate that Son Servera provides a balanced examination that tests all aspects of a golfer’s game. The front nine emphasises accuracy and course strategy, with the Pine Trap holes from the 3rd particularly demanding precision shot-making and course management.

The more open and undulating back nine allows aggressive players to attack pins with their iron play to make up ground. Consistently good drives will leave most approach shots manageable, as the fairways are relatively flat and wide.

The club is also praised for providing a fair test regardless of handicap – low markers can challenge their shot-making from the tips at a demanding 5,844 meters, whereas high handicappers still get an enjoyable experience from shorter yardages given the strategic design and helpful rough.

Conditions and Maintenance

Recent reviews have been overwhelmingly positive about the conditioning at Son Servera, with lush fairways and greens providing plenty of consistency and true bounces and rolls.

The club puts significant resources into course agronomy and maintenance, as evidenced by the pristine playing surfaces year-round. The only minor criticisms came from winter months when the Bermuda greens struggled against colder temperatures, leading to slower-than-average green speeds.

Overall though, Son Servera receives high marks for its superb all-year conditioning rivaling most high-end resort courses on the island.

Scenery and Atmosphere

In terms of aesthetics, it would be hard to find a more picturesque inland course in Mallorca than Son Servera. Situated in tranquil pine forests filled with local wildlife and boasting sublime vistas over the Bay of Cala Millor, the soothing natural beauty couples perfectly with the quiet serenity on the course to provide a wonderfully relaxing experience.

The friendly members going about their rounds only add to the unfussy club-like atmosphere. When not marvelling at the views, golfers can appreciate the botanical diversity throughout the property – avenues of olive, carob and palm trees frame holes whilst vibrant oleanders and bougainvillaeas flower along the course edges.

Local Knowledge and Tips

When playing Son Servera for the first time, many reviewers advise studying the scorecard and doing a thorough reconnaissance of the holes before teeing off.

Local knowledge dictates that the front nine, particularly the Pine Trap, requires a conservative bogey golf mentality given the penal surroundings, whereas the wider and more scoreable back nine allows aggressive play towards pins to make up strokes.

The most consistent advice for playing well seems to be keeping drives in play to avoid the plentiful hazards lining the holes, allowing for easier approach shots into receptive greens.

Hole Distance, Par & Handicap

Hole	Distance (m)	Par	Handicap
1	339	4	11
2	371	4	6
3	122	3	12
4	354	4	7
5	506	5	1
6	312	4	5
7	357	4	3
8	176	3	15
9	452	5	13
10	338	4	10
11	291	4	17
12	375	4	4
13	149	3	18
14	344	4	8
15	462	5	9
16	503	5	14
17	417	4	2
18	182	3	16

Customer Service and Staff

If reviews are any indication, people keep coming back to Son Servera year after year not just due to the superb course but also thanks to the genuine hospitality and gracious service embedded in the club’s culture.

The professional and administrative staff earn persistent praise for their friendly and welcoming manner towards all visitors, going out of their way to ensure people feel comfortable whether a scratch player or high handicapper.

The club also rightfully takes pride in making juniors feel at home, with structured development programs nurturing talented youngsters whilst instilling an inclusive, family-focused atmosphere.

Even outside of golf, reviewers frequently compliment the attentive yet unintrusive service from the restaurant wait staff.

Value for Money

Green fees at Son Servera generally range from around 75€ to 125€ depending on the time of year, positioning it as an upper mid-range option price-wise on the island.

Clients seem to agree that the impeccable course conditions, polished facilities and exemplary service represent excellent value, providing an experience comparable to more renowned (and more expensive) clubs nearby.

The club also offers plenty of ways for visitors to reduce costs, whether through discount vouchers, multi-round packages or twilight rates. When factoring in all Son Servera has to offer along with its ideal location in Northeast Mallorca, its green fee rates can certainly be considered fair value.

Conclusion

For any golfer looking to experience a mature Majorcan golf club brimming with tradition and hospitality, Son Servera deserves strong consideration thanks to its rich heritage, superb course, and gracious service.

With a balanced layout testing strategy and shot-making through beautifully landscaped holes, it delivers in all the ways a memorable Mediterranean golf experience should. It comfortably holds its own against stiff competition on an island full of tremendous golf courses.

Location