Golf course · Palma
Golf Son Vida: the classic in the villa district above Palma
Last checked: October 2026
Golf has been played at Son Vida since 1964. The short par-71 course winds between villas and pines above Palma – technical and close to the city.
Quick answer
Who is Golf Son Vida suited to?
Golfers looking for a short, technical course close to the city. At around 5.5 km from the yellow tees, Son Vida is not a course for length; the holes run alongside the villas, and according to the club the technical design calls for a precise strategy. The maximum handicap is 54. As on all Arabella courses, you need a Spanish federation licence or a day licence for €3 per day.
- Location
- Palma, Son Vida villa district (C/ Solleric 1, 07013 Palma)
- From the airport
- approx. 19 km
- Holes / par
- 18 holes, par 71 – since June 2025 also rated as a par-70 variant
- Length
- 5,538 m from yellow (par 71), 4,711 m from red
- Course / Slope
- Yellow 70.2 / 138 · Red 71.3 / 129 (par 71, scorecard 06/2025)
- Opened
- 1964, designed by W. Hawtree; redesigned in 2001 by Kurt Rossknecht
- Handicap
- max. 54
- Licence
- Spanish federation licence or day licence €3 (mandatory since 1 July 2024)
- Operator
- Arabella Golf Mallorca
- Green fee
- online only via the club's booking system, no fixed price list
Who is it for?
Is Golf Son Vida right for you?
Well suited to
- Golfers with a reliable short game and accurate irons
- Short stays in Palma – the course is on the edge of the city
- Afternoon rounds after a morning in the old town
- Those who like golf history: Ballesteros won here in 1990
Less suited to
- Long hitters looking for wide fairways
- Players without a licence who don't want to register in advance
The course
Landscape and character
Son Vida opened in 1964 and is the oldest course in the Arabella group – short and technical.
The holes run through the villa area of the same name on the hillside above Palma. According to the club, the technical design calls for a precise strategy.
At 5,538 m from the yellow tees, Son Vida is one of the island's shorter 18-hole courses. That doesn't make it easy: the slope of 138 from yellow shows that precision counts for more than length here. Since June 2025 the club has listed two variants on the scorecard, par 71 and par 70.
In 1990 and 1994 Son Vida hosted European Tour events; Seve Ballesteros and Barry Lane won here. Today the course is part of the “European Tour Destinations” network.
Holes
Holes you should know
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Hole 18 · Par 5
The closing hole forces a decision on the second shot: if you want to reach the green in two, you have to play over water; laying up is the safe option. The green is in view of the restaurant terrace.
Playing tips
Tee times, handicap and facilities
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Access & licence
Open to the public with a green fee. Since 1 July 2024 Arabella has required a Spanish federation licence or a day licence or insurance for €3 per person per day; you fill in the form before teeing off. Maximum handicap: 54.
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Tee times & green fee
Booking is online via the Arabella booking system; the club does not publish a fixed price list. After the greens have been aerated, Arabella offers discounts: 30% on days 1–4, 20% on days 5–8 and 10% on days 9–16.
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Buggy & rental clubs
Buggies are optional and available for hire; they may only go on the fairways in suitable weather and with the caddy master's approval. Rental clubs and a pro shop are available.
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Practice & lessons
Practice area, putting green and chipping area. Lessons are given by the golf school “Golf Natural Guidance”.
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Clubhouse & food
The Son Vida Restaurant serves tapas with a view of the 18th green, daily 8 am–7:30 pm (reservations +34 971 791 500).
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Dress code
No T-shirts, tank tops, jeans, tracksuits or swimwear; soft-spike golf shoes only.
Season & maintenance
According to the course rules, the Arabella courses are open all year round. The club allows 4.5 hours for an 18-hole round. Due to green maintenance, Son Vida is closed from 16 to 18 November 2026 (previously from 1 to 5 June).
Comparison
Nearby alternatives
| Course | Holes / par | Length (yellow) | Max. handicap | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf Son Vida | 18 / 71 | 5,538 m | 54 | this course |
| Golf Son Muntaner | 18 / 72 | 5,985 m | 36 | Same operator, a few minutes away: longer, wider and more modern. |
| Golf Son Quint | 18 / 71 | 5,750 m | 54 | Also Arabella: more open and more relaxed for mid handicappers. |
| Real Golf de Bendinat | 18 / 69 | 5,471 m | 36 | Similarly short and technical, between Palma and Portals Nous. |
Combine
Around the course
Frequently asked questions
Questions about Golf Son Vida
How long is Golf Son Vida?
From the yellow tees 5,538 m (par 71), from red 4,711 m. The figure of 5,601 m on the club's website comes from the older course description.
What handicap do I need at Son Vida?
The club states a maximum handicap of 54. You also need a Spanish federation licence or a day licence for €3.
Where is Golf Son Vida?
In the Son Vida villa area on the hillside above Palma, around 19 km from the airport. Son Muntaner, Son Quint and the pitch & putt are right next door.
Can you combine Son Vida and Son Muntaner?
Yes. Both belong to Arabella Golf Mallorca and are only a few minutes apart by car – good for two rounds on consecutive days.
Sources(checked 29/10/2026): arabellagolfmallorca.com · arabellagolfmallorca.com · arabellagolfmallorca.com · arabellagolfmallorca.com · fbgolf.com. Green fees, tee times and licence rules may change – the club's website is authoritative.
Image credit: Illustrative image, not Golf Son Vida: fairways with bunkers and ponds in front of a range of hills. Photo Matthew McBrayer, Unsplash License, via Unsplash