Turkey has slowly but surely become a world-class golf destination over the past few decades, with new courses opening every year that further enhance its standing as a can’t-miss golf tourist destination. In 2008, the International Association of Golf Tour Operators recognized Turkey’s impressive roster of courses, naming it the Best Golfing Destination in Europe.
It’s quite a feat to take down Spain or the UK in a poll like that, but it’s a well-deserved honor that reflects how good the golf and the surrounding resorts are.
Since 2008, Turkey’s added numerous incredible courses, as well as hosting the Turkish Airlines Open on the European PGA Tour since 2013. This tournament has become an incredibly important playoff event in the Race to Dubai, attracting many of the world’s top golfers and putting a spotlight on some of the incredible courses that Turkey offers. Here are ten courses you shouldn’t miss when you visit Turkey.
1. Carya
Carya is the course that’s played host to the Turkish Airlines Open for the last three years, and it’s widely recognized as possibly the best course in Turkey. Five-time Open champion, the legendary Peter Thomson, headed up the course design and was particularly enthused by the property the course is built on. Fairways lined with eucalyptus and pine trees give a Mediterranean twist to the link-style course that hearkens back to some of the finest courses near London.
Carya is the crown jewel of the 27 courses that make up the Belek Golf Riviera, a heavenly golf-focused haven that can be a one-stop-shop for a wide variety of incredible golf courses along the Mediterranean coastline.
2. PGA Sultan Course at Antalya
This lovely course in Belek is connected to one of the finest hotel resorts in the world, the Sirene Belek Golf Hotel. With numerous activities like archery, airgun shooting, yoga, football, spa services and more, the Sirene Belek is an oasis that will please golfers and non-golfers alike. Golfers will love the variety presented at the PGA Sultan course, which travels through woodsy terrain and former swampland. What once was swamp is now a series of sparkling ponds that are so pretty you won’t even be mad when they swallow up your golf ball.
3. Irmak & Tuna at National Antalya
This lovely course opened in 1994 and has been gaining in reputation ever since. A collaboration between David Feherty and David Jones (who also designed PGA Sultan), it’s a beautiful and challenging course set with the stunning Taurus Mountains as a backdrop. This local favorite has a unique, undulating terrain that puts a premium on accuracy. Keep the ball in the fairway and play the right tee boxes for your skill level and the Irmak & Tuna course will keep you coming back.
4. Klassis Golf & Country Club
One of the few courses on this list that’s not in the Belek Golf Riviera, Klassis takes advantage of its location on the Marmara Sea to deliver a delightful golf experience with lots of dramatic elevation changes and panoramic vistas. Designer Tony Jacklin delivers one of his best par 3s here, the signature 9th that requires a precise tee shot over water. Non-golfers will love the attached resort, which offers horseback riding and numerous water activities. It’s one of the first resorts in Turkey built specifically for tourism, and remains one of the best.
5. The Prince Course at Cornelia
Golf legend and multiple Masters- and Open Championship winner Nick Faldo designed the 36 holes at Cornelia, and it may represent the best work he’s ever done. While all four nines are remarkably beautiful and interesting, the Gaius and Tiberius nines are together called “The Prince” and they represent the best combination for golfers looking to play just one round. The double-dogleg par 5 second is a fantastic hole routed beautifully through the trees. The open plan clubhouse is a wonderful place to relax after your round and offers excellent cuisine.
6. Lykia Links
This old-school links-style course from Perry Dye features stunning, picturesque pot bunkers that are eye candy off the tee, but incredibly difficult hazards if you hit your ball into them. The first true links course in the country, it’s perfectly suited to the sandy, hilly riverside terrain. The course is devastatingly long from the tips, so only scratch golfers should attempt it at full length. Avoid the punishing bunkers and sandy waste areas and you’ll find a unique, lovely golf experience. Hit too many wayward balls and you’ll find yourself writing big numbers on your scorecard.
7. Pines Course at Sueno
This may be the course that tipped the scales for Turkey in the 2008 Golf Tour award mentioned above. Opening in late 2007, it solidified the Belek region as a place for an epic, elevated championship golf experience. Water comes into play on several holes, including the challenging risk/reward par 4-second hole, while carefully placed bunkers and mature pines present their own challenges. The attached hotel offers an all-inclusive deal with unlimited golf, which represents an incredible deal at a top-notch course.
8. Montgomerie Maxx Royal
With Colin Montgomerie headlining the design team at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal, this course has garnered tons of interest in the European golf community. As host of the Turkish Airlines Open from 2013-2016, it earned a reputation as one of Turkey’s finest golf courses. It’s notable especially for its focus on eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable practices, and the course design takes full advantage of the natural features and beauty of the land it’s built on.
9. The Old Course at Gloria
The fact that this is called “The Old Course” despite having only opened in 1997 is a testament to how far Turkish golf has come in such a short time. One of the oldest courses in Turkey and one of the first in the now-replete Belek Golf Riviera, The Old Course still holds up as one of the best courses you can play in the region. The perfectly manicured, carpet-like greens are a highlight, as is the lovely 16th hole, a short par 4 that tempts you to drive the green but punishes you if you miss.
10. The New Course at Gloria
Only 8 years younger than The Old Course is The New Course at Gloria. The New Course holds its own as a sister course to the Old, highlighted especially by the island-green 17th hole that was clearly inspired by the famous 17th at TPC Sawgrass. There are numerous memorable holes in addition, including some dramatic tee shots over rock quarries and plenty of risk/reward options that make great use of the huge lake that borders most of the back nine.
About the Author
Jordan Fuller is a golf aspirant when he was a kid. His father was an average golfer, but Jordan wants to be a better one. So, he joined a golf club to learn more. Now, he is coaching and teaching golf enthusiasts to improve their play while enjoying it. He also owns a golf publication site https://www.golfinfluence.com/ where he gives tips to his readers how to be a better golfer.
