Golf’s history and its boom in Mallorca

Golf is a sport that combines elegance, precision, and nature. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages, when the Scots used clubs to hit stones and send them to a target. Over time, this game was perfected and became the sport we know today, with dedicated golf courses, official rules and international tournaments.

In this article by Club de Golf Son Servera, we will tell you about the history of our beautiful sport, its arrival in Mallorca and the birth of our club. Don’t stop reading!

The origins of golf

Golf is one of the oldest sports in the world, but its exact origin is uncertain. Some historians claim that it was played in ancient Rome, China or Persia, but there is no clear evidence of this. What is known is that modern golf originated in Scotland in the 15th century, where it was called “gowf” and was played with a wooden ball and a club.

The first recorded golf course was at St Andrews, dating from 1552. There the first rules of the game were established, which have been modified and adapted over the centuries. Golf became a popular sport among Scottish nobility and royalty and soon spread throughout the rest of Britain and Europe.

In the late 18th century, British colonists brought golf to America. The first American golf course was built in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1786. Since then, golf has undergone great development and expansion in the United States, where some of the most prestigious tournaments and competitions in the world have been held, such as the Masters, the US Open or the PGA Championship.

Golf in Mallorca

Mallorca is an island that meets the ideal conditions for the practice of golf: a mild climate, exuberant nature and a variety of golf courses for all tastes and levels. Golf in Mallorca began in the late 1950s, when the German businessman Juan March bought some land in the Son Vida area and commissioned architect Fred Hawtree to design a golf course.

The Son Vida golf course was inaugurated in 1964, being the first golf course in Mallorca and the second in Spain. Its opening was a social event, attended by personalities such as Prince Rainier of Monaco, the actor Sean Connery or the golfer Gary Player.

Club de Golf Son Servera

The success of Son Vida prompted the creation of other golf courses in Mallorca, such as our Club de Golf Son Servera, which was inaugurated in 1967, being the second oldest in the Balearic Islands. Our club is distinguished by being the only social club on the island: it belongs to its members and not to a company. Its 18-hole course offers a varied and challenging round, with spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains.

The Club de Golf Son Servera offers a unique experience to its members and visitors, with a professional golf school, a first-class restaurant, a specialized shop and a varied agenda of tournaments and activities. In addition, the club has a strong social and ecological vocation, collaborating with various charities and caring for the environment.

Come and enjoy the best golf in Mallorca!

Mallorca has established itself as one of the most important golf destinations in Europe, attracting thousands of golfers every year. The island has a wide range of accommodations, services, and activities complementary to golf, which make Mallorca an ideal place to enjoy an unforgettable golf holiday. In addition, Mallorca has hosted influential golf events, such as the Challenge Tour, the Ladies European Tour or the International Golf Travel Market.

If you are a golf lover and want to enjoy this sport in a paradisiacal environment, do not hesitate to visit Mallorca. You will be surprised by the beauty, challenge, and fun that await you on this island. And if you want to learn about the history and tradition of golf in Mallorca, don’t miss our Club de Golf Son Servera, a golf reference on the island. We have recently been awarded the Placa al Mérito en Golf from the Real Federación Española de Golf (RFEG) to prove it!