Golf Son Gual presents a markedly different Mallorca from the lighthouse scenery of Alcanada. Thomas Himmel's 2007 design occupies a large inland estate off the road between Palma and Manacor, where fairways appear broad and the eye travels across carefully shaped land. There is little of the seaside resort here; the round asks to be judged on the quality of the golf itself.
That apparent generosity can be misleading. Deep bunkers, substantial greens and deliberate choices about position make the second shot the source of much of the difficulty. A golfer can drive well and still face a demanding approach if the ball finishes on the wrong side of the fairway or the contours.
Why You Should Play Golf Son Gual
Son Gual will appeal to a player who enjoys contemporary championship-scale golf and accepts that bold design can require patience. Fairways can accommodate a confident drive, but bunkers are situated to challenge favoured landing areas and carry distances. A shot played merely towards the centre may leave a green-entry angle that is less rewarding than the line suggested from the tee.
The green complexes make it a useful examination for precise iron players. Larger targets offer room but not automatically an easy two-putt, and the ground around them can complicate recovery. Course management matters as much as raw length, particularly from the longest tees on a course that stretches well beyond many holiday layouts.
There is also pleasure in the uncompromising character. It is not trying to be another picturesque bay-side round. Players who prefer established woodland, narrow visual framing or extensive ocean views might enjoy Alcanada or T Golf Calvià more. Golfers who appreciate testing modern greens and strategy are likely to find Son Gual a highlight.
Architecture and Golf History
Opened in 2007, Son Gual is a relatively recent chapter in the island's golf development, designed by Thomas Himmel. Its significance is primarily architectural rather than tied to an inherited century-old clubhouse tradition. Its identity rests on expansive architecture, a testing variety of approach shots and a quieter setting than the island's coastal resort courses.
Making Mallorca a Golf Journey
Alcanada is the contrasting northern seaside course; T Golf Calvià sits west of Palma and provides established parkland slopes. Son Gual is practical from a Palma-area base such as Castillo Son Vida, but is not adjacent to that hotel. The programme is strongest when these three courses are deliberately ordered around the island rather than visited in a hurry.
From a Palma-area hotel, Son Gual pairs comfortably with Son Muntaner and T Golf Calvià for three distinctive inland rounds. Golfers who want more geographical variety can instead dedicate a day to Alcanada above the Bay of Alcúdia. That contrast makes sense for a longer Mallorca itinerary: Son Gual provides big, modern championship golf, while Alcanada's coastal slopes create a different style of round.
Green Fees, The Card and Visitor Conditions
Son Gual is par 72, with five tee options: Black at 6,621 metres, White at 6,257, Yellow at 5,983, Blue at 5,475 and Red at 4,961. The range allows golfers to choose the right balance of championship length and approach precision. From the longer tees, the combination of substantial greens and strategically placed bunkers makes the second shot a demanding part of the round.
The 2026 standard green fee for 18 holes is €115 from 1 July to 31 August, €135 from 1 to 14 September and €165 from 15 September to 14 November. The green fee is €115 from 15 to 30 November, 3 to 5 December and 7 to 24 December; it is €150 from 25 to 31 December. GPS buggy hire is separate at €45 for 18 holes in the 2026 tariff. Son Gual is a compelling inland counterpart to the scenic north-coast round at Alcanada.