Your Ultimate Guide to Bird Golf Academy at Arabella Golf Mallorca
Golfers dream of a school experience with immaculate courses, exceptional coaching, and a setting that elevates every moment. Bird Golf Academy’s partnership with Arabella Golf Mallorca brings that vision to life on one of Europe’s most stunning Mediterranean islands.
If you’re considering taking your game to new heights in an unforgettable destination, here’s everything you need to know about our Mallorca location.
Getting to Mallorca: Your Journey Begins
Direct Flights from the United States
For American golfers, reaching Mallorca is straightforward. United Airlines operates seasonal direct flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI). These non-stop flights run three to four times weekly during peak season, with approximately 8-hour flight times.
The seasonal service typically operates from late spring through early fall, perfectly aligned with optimal golf weather in Mallorca.
From Newark, you can connect from major US cities:
- New York City (direct access)
- Boston (1-hour connection)
- Washington D.C. (1.5-hour connection)
- Chicago (2-hour connection)
- Los Angeles (5.5-hour connection)
- San Francisco (5.5-hour connection)
- Miami (3-hour connection)
- Dallas (3.5-hour connection)
- Atlanta (2.5-hour connection)
Outside the direct flight season, excellent one-stop connections are available through Madrid, Barcelona, London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam via Iberia, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Air France.
Airport Transfer: Quick and Easy
The journey from Palma Airport to Arabella Golf and the Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel takes about 20 minutes by car, covering roughly 8 miles.
We recommend arranging a private car transfer in advance instead of relying on airport taxis. A pre-booked transfer provides guaranteed availability even if your flight is delayed, clear and consistent pricing, a meet-and-greet service with your name displayed, vehicles suited for golf equipment, and professional drivers who speak English. It is the simplest and most relaxing way to begin your trip after a long international flight.
The drive to Son Vida takes you through Palma and into the hills above the city, offering views of the Bay of Palma and the surrounding Mediterranean landscape.
If you plan to explore Mallorca during your stay, the Sheraton also allows guests to rent a car directly through the front desk. The rental vehicle can be delivered to the hotel, which makes it a convenient option once you have settled in.
Arabella Golf Mallorca: World-Class Facilities
Son Muntaner Golf Course
Your instruction takes place at Golf Son Muntaner, recently named Spain’s Best Golf Course at the World Golf Awards. Son Muntaner is the only course in the Balearic Islands belonging to the exclusive European Tour Destinations network.
The course has hosted professional tournaments including the 2022 Mallorca Golf Open on the DP World Tour and the 2023 Mallorca Ladies Golf Open on the Ladies European Tour.
Course Features:
- Par 72 championship layout spanning 6,852 yards from the championship tees
- Designed by renowned architect Kurt Rossknecht, opened in 2000
- Wide, generous fairways rewarding strategic play
- Large, undulating greens with distinctive hourglass shapes
- Multiple water hazards and over 70 strategically placed bunkers
- Rolling terrain showcasing Mallorca’s natural contours
One unique feature is “Na Capitana,” a millenary olive tree estimated to be over 1,000 years old, located near the 15th hole. It’s the oldest known olive tree on the island, adding a sense of timeless grandeur to your round.
The course earned the Golden Flag from 59Club for six consecutive years, testament to outstanding customer service, immaculate maintenance, and attention to detail.
Practice Facilities
Son Muntaner boasts practice facilities matching the quality of the course:
- The largest putting green in Mallorca
- Illuminated driving range with Top Tracer technology
- Dedicated pitching and chipping areas with multiple greens
- The Arabella Golf Academy with qualified PGA/LPGA professionals
Your Accommodation: Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel
Bird Golf Academy students stay at the Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel, a luxurious five-star property embodying traditional Spanish country house design where Mediterranean elegance meets modern comfort.
Set within the exclusive Son Vida urbanization, the hotel offers a peaceful retreat about 3.7 miles from Palma’s city center. Golf Son Vida’s 18th hole is within putting distance, and Son Muntaner is minutes away.
Hotel Features:
- 93 elegantly appointed rooms and suites
- Multiple dining outlets featuring Mediterranean cuisine
- Full-service spa for post-round relaxation
- Fitness center with indoor and outdoor facilities
- Four swimming pools, including a suspended glass-bottomed pool
- Tennis and volleyball courts
- Extensive bike trails
- Mediterranean-style gardens
The hotel’s family-friendly atmosphere makes it ideal whether you’re attending alone, as a couple, or bringing non-golfing companions.
Meet Your World-Class Instructors
Bird Golf Academy has handpicked two exceptional professionals to lead instruction at our Mallorca location.
Nico Loprete: Master Coach and PGA Professional
Nico Loprete brings over 15 years of coaching experience across all skill levels. As a PGA member since 2003, he currently serves as General Manager at Golf Natural Guidance and Head Pro at Arabella Golf Mallorca.
Professional Background:
- Holds Level II Professional Golf Coach certification (Spain’s highest coaching qualification)
- Callaway Ambassador
- Certified in TPI Pro 2, Junior 2, TrackMan, FocusBand, CAPTO, and VISION54
- Fluent in English, German, Spanish, Italian, and Catalan
Notable Achievements:
- 5-time Champion of the Baleares Professional Doubles (2014-2017 & 2021)
- Created the largest junior golf academy in the Balearic Islands (180+ students)
- Former competitive player who represented Spain at international youth events
Teaching Philosophy: Nico’s approach centers on simplicity, efficiency, and deep personalization. Rather than cookie-cutter methods, he focuses on understanding each player’s unique strengths, learning style, and physical capabilities to unlock their full potential.
Toni Planells: National Coach and Educational Leader
Toni Planells brings a rare combination of elite coaching experience and educational leadership spanning over two decades. As a coach for Spanish national golf teams and teacher of coaches at Spain’s National Golf School, he provides unique insights into high-performance training.
Professional Background:
- National Coach of Spain for the Federación Española de Golf
- Teacher of coaches at Spain’s National Golf School
- Member of the General Assembly of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation
- Postgraduate degree in Golf Course Management from UCLM
- Co-creator of the Golf Natural Guidance Methodology
Notable Achievements:
- Coach of numerous European champions and Tour professionals
- Regular speaker at International Golf Summits and PGA Conferences
- Recognized leader in junior player progression to elite golf
Teaching Philosophy: Toni blends technical precision with a human-centered approach, prioritizing understanding each player to foster growth through trust, clarity, and strategic learning. His balance of technical expertise and motivational support makes him an exceptional mentor.
The Mallorca Experience Beyond Golf
While your primary focus will be transforming your golf game, Mallorca offers extraordinary experiences for any downtime between practice sessions or for non-golfing companions traveling with you.
Palma de Mallorca: A Capital Worth Exploring
Just twenty minutes from Arabella Golf, Palma de Mallorca perfectly blends centuries of history with vibrant modern European culture. The city’s crown jewel is La Seu, the magnificent Gothic cathedral that dominates the waterfront. This architectural masterpiece took nearly 400 years to complete and features one of the world’s largest rose windows. Inside, you’ll find modern touches by Antoni Gaudí and contemporary artist Miquel Barceló.
Beyond the cathedral, get lost in the narrow, winding streets of the old town, where medieval architecture houses contemporary art galleries, boutique shops, and traditional craft workshops. The Paseo del Borne, Palma’s tree-lined main boulevard, is perfect for people-watching over coffee. For a more local vibe, explore the Santa Catalina neighborhood, where converted fishermen’s cottages now hold trendy restaurants, wine bars, and the bustling Mercat de Santa Catalina food market.
Year-Round Mediterranean Climate
Mallorca’s weather is one of its greatest assets for golf. The island enjoys over 300 days of sunshine annually, with average temperatures rarely dipping below 50°F in winter or exceeding 90°F in summer. This temperate Mediterranean climate means comfortable golf conditions throughout the year, unlike many destinations where extreme heat or cold limits playing seasons. Even winter months offer pleasant daytime temperatures ideal for golf, while summer benefits from coastal breezes that keep conditions comfortable despite warm sunshine.
World-Class Culinary Scene
Mallorca’s cuisine deserves its own vacation. The island’s food scene seamlessly blends traditional Spanish and Balearic dishes with innovative modern gastronomy. Fresh Mediterranean seafood dominates menus, from simple grilled fish to elaborate paellas and the local specialty, caldereta de langosta (lobster stew).
Don’t miss traditional Mallorcan dishes like sobrassada (soft, spreadable chorizo), ensaimadas (sweet spiral pastries perfect for breakfast), and tumbet (a layered vegetable dish). The island boasts several Michelin-starred restaurants for special evenings, while neighborhood tapas bars offer authentic local flavors at modest prices. Pair everything with wines from Mallorca’s growing number of excellent wineries, many of which offer tours and tastings.
Natural Beauty and Adventure
Beyond the golf course, Mallorca reveals stunning natural diversity. The island’s coastline features everything from long sandy beaches to hidden rocky coves with crystal-clear turquoise waters. Many of these secluded calas (coves) are accessible only by foot or boat, rewarding adventurous visitors with pristine Mediterranean paradise.
The Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for its cultural landscape, runs along the island’s northwest coast. These dramatic limestone peaks offer world-class hiking and cycling, with routes passing through ancient stone villages, terraced olive groves, and dramatic coastal viewpoints. Charming mountain towns like Valldemossa, Deià, and Sóller provide perfect day trip destinations, each with unique character, local restaurants, and spectacular scenery.
Transform Your Game in Paradise
The Bird Golf Academy experience at Arabella Golf Mallorca represents more than a golf school. It’s a transformative journey combining world-class instruction, championship facilities, luxury accommodations, and Mediterranean beauty.
Whether you’re a beginner building fundamentals, an intermediate player breaking through to the next level, or an accomplished golfer fine-tuning your game, Nico Loprete and Toni Planells have the expertise to help you achieve your goals.
Imagine spending days working one-on-one with a master instructor on one of Spain’s finest courses, then relaxing by the pool or enjoying spa treatments. Picture playing Son Muntaner’s dramatic holes with personalized guidance, learning not just how to hit better shots but how to score better and enjoy the game more.
This is the Ultimate Golf Learning Experience® that Bird Golf Academy has been delivering for years, now available in one of Europe’s most spectacular destinations.
Ready to transform your game in paradise?
Contact Bird Golf Academy today to discuss your personalized Mallorca golf school. Our team will help you select perfect dates, arrange travel details, and prepare you for an unforgettable experience.
Your journey to better golf and lifetime memories begins with a single step. We look forward to welcoming you to Arabella Golf Mallorca.
