Santa Ponsa 1 is the only public course in the Santa Ponsa group and the one that was capable of hosting a European Tour event - it hosted the 2021 European Tour Mallorca Golf Open. This is the course that brought top-level professional golf back to the island after a decade away. The winner, Jeff Winther, shot 62 twice in the opening rounds. Good luck getting anywhere near that!
Why It Suits My Game - and Probably Yours
I'll be direct about something: this course has helped me rediscover confidence with the driver. After rounds at Son Gual or Alcanada, where course management often means leaving driver in the bag, Santa Ponsa 1 feels very different. The fairways are wide, the opening holes are generous, and the course rewards an aggressive approach from the tee.
With my distance, I'm often left with a pitching wedge into par-4 greens after a good drive. For players with more typical distances, the course presents a proper test when the wind comes in - but it's the kind of challenge that builds confidence rather than grinding it down.
The 10th Hole
At 590 metres, the 10th is one of the longest par-5s in Europe. Into the wind it is properly long. There is a satisfying version of the hole where you go driver, hybrid, wedge, and a much less satisfying one where one of those three goes wrong. The par-3s are also long and often with small greens, they are more about damage limitation than birdie chances.
The European Tour Connection
Hosting the 2021 European Tour Mallorca Open was significant for the island. It was the first European Tour event here in ten years, and Santa Ponsa 1 held up under scrutiny. The course condition in tournament week, and the scoring that was possible without the course being set up in an easy manner, all worked. That quality is real, and it shows in how the course presents itself to visitors.
The Mountain Views
Holes 5, 6, and 7 on the front nine offer some of the best Tramuntana views on the island. Tall grass, mature trees, wildflowers, and the mountains framing everything behind. It's the kind of backdrop that makes a bad shot slightly more bearable. Slightly.
2026 Green Fees
Peak price is €125 and the low-season entry point is €75. Full details at golf-santaponsa.com. A valid WHS handicap certificate is required.
Buggy €43 for 18 holes. Club hire €40. The course is public and openly bookable - no member access required. Book in advance in peak season; the DP World Tour history draws visitors who know what they are coming for.
Verdict
If you're driving the ball well and want to enjoy it, play Santa Ponsa 1. If you're choosing between Son Gual and Alcanada for a serious day and want something more open, with proper European Tour history behind it, this is the one. The par-3s will keep you honest. The rest of the round tends to give you something back.
Want to play Santa Ponsa 1 as part of a Mallorca golf day? I can arrange it.
See the play-with-a-pro experience →