The Golf Santa Ponsa resort consists of three courses and a stunning four star hotel. Of the 3 courses, Golf Santa Ponsa 1 is the only one open to the general public, as Santa Ponsa II and III are for members only.

One of the distinguished elder statesmen of golf in Mallorca, Santa Ponsa hosted the Balearic Open on the European Tour on seven occasions between 1988 and 1998.

Golf Santa Ponsa 1 was designed by the late Italian Folco Nardi and opened in 1977. It is open, uncomplicated with fairways amongst the most generous on the island, making it an ideal place to enjoy ripping into your drives and approach shots.

There's a superb shape to the course with several doglegs and intelligent use of water, particularly at the dramatic par-4 16th. At 437 yards, this sliding left-to-right dogleg is difficult enough, but it skirts an enormous lake on the right for the entire length of the hole. Good course management is required to safely negotiate a water hazard of this size, and for some laying up and playing the hole as a par-5 could be the wisest option.

The par-4 18th is a fine finish to a very enjoyable round of golf, and was the scene of an epic play-off between Seve Ballesteros and Jesper Parnevik for the 1992 Balearic Open. They played the hole 6 times before Seve eventually triumphed. The story goes that Parnevik's caddie was so exhausted, the Swede took up the bag for the final stretch.

The resort is also known for the par-3 18th on the Santa Ponsa II course, containing an island green in the shape of Mallorca. It's a stunning hole and a joy to play. Just beware of the south-east coast, the water awaits the wayward shots!

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