Feature Review: Son Antem

This was the first time I had played golf abroad so I really didn't know what to expect, apart from heat and a blue sky.

As I was on the short drive from Palma airport to the resort I saw the sign in bright Orange "Son Antem-Golf"  and could feel excitement running through my body.

The Resort

The Marriott Son Antem Golf Resort & Spa is the perfect location for golfers and non golfers visiting Mallora.  Situated close to the airport, Palma and the beaches it's got all that you would want from a golf getaway.  The 5* resort offers visitors a relaxed stay with spacious rooms that benefit from stunning views across the golf course from their own balcony or terrace.

For those not playing golf the resort facilities included heated indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpools, saunas and a wide variety of treatments providing the perfect place to relax and be pampered.

The Courses

Son Antem has 2 golf courses, East and West, numerous chipping and putting greens, driving range, golf academy and a delightful 19th hole.

The pro shop is very well stocked with a mixture of clubs, clothing as well as nice golf souvenirs that you can take home to remember your visit. The staff  are also very friendly and welcoming and as you would expect in such a resort they can also provide club, buggy and trolly hire.

The practice facilities have been improved of late to be able to deal with the demands of the packaged holidays with lessons that are on offer, in fact if your going as a group of 8+ they will throw in a pro for free. The driving range was once a matted area that was seldom used. Now a grass range with the space for over 200 golfers takes pride of place along with the putting/chipping greens.

West Course

I played the West course first which opened in 2001 and boast a picturesque lake and fountain as its main feature which comes into play on 3 holes, including the 18th. The West is the shorter of the two courses (5913 meters) and for me was the more difficult, a thinking mans course with tighter fairways ensuring driving accuracy is the most important skill around this golf course.

Taking an iron off some of the par 4 tees is the sensible option and with undulating greens you really need to think your way around from tee to green.

With tree lined fairways on most holes it's give the illusion of a very difficult, tight tee shot. The great thing about this course is the fact that 9 times out of 10 your ball would in fact be easy to find if you did stray off the tee.

With the 18th you will struggle to find a better finishing hole in Mallorca, which also happens to be the hardest on the course. It doglegs to the right, with water running all the way down the left hand side of the hole.

East Course

 Moving onto the East course, slightly longer than the West, I was faced with a different test. A more natural course with less man made features than the West constructed on an old hunting estate, and wildlife abounds as the course twist its way through trees and grassland and around the five lakes that populate the golf course. The fairways are wide, but stray off line and you will find water, heavy rough and the trees that line the short grass on many holes.

With water features on a lot of holes, although on the East they are far more subtle, therefore more likely to catch you out.

Golfers of any level will enjoy the signature par 3 2nd hole. 130 meters over another one of the resorts stunning water features onto a massive green. Beware though. Depending on the pin placement you could end up with a monster downhill putt for your birdie.

Either side of the turn water comes most prominently into play and individual trees are employed as strategically placed obstacles. The 15^th is the longest hole on the course and will instil dread into the most competent golfer. Approaches must be hit with a mid to long iron over a huge body of water to one of the smallest targets on the course.

Overall

The greens were in impeccable condition and the whole experience across both amazing courses is largely down to the hard work that the ground staff put in.  Whilst we played we came across a few members of the green staff who always stopped and turned engines off whilst you played your shot and always offering a good morning or afternoon,a little goes a long way!

Overall my experience was one that will live long with me and Son Antem comes highly recommended and a return visit is most definitely on the cards.

Visit here to read our destination review of golf in Mallorca.