Why Choose Turkey for Your Next Golf Holiday?
Twenty years ago barely anyone flew to Turkey for golf. Today Belek, a purpose-built resort town on the Mediterranean coast, counts 14 championship golf courses, all inside a 20-minute drive of one another, and from October to May its fairways are full of British accents.
The sums are simple. Direct flights from the UK to Antalya take around 4 hours, the region sees 300 or more days of sunshine a year, and the all-inclusive model rolls green fees, meals, drinks and the hotel into one figure, with 7 nights and 3 rounds from around
The golf stands up on its own terms too. The DP World Tour brought the Turkish Airlines Open to Belek, playing courses designed by Sir Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, Peter Thomson and David Feherty. Two of them are fully floodlit for 18-hole night golf. No other country in Europe can offer that.
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Belek — Turkey’s Golf Capital
Belek sits about 30 kilometres east of Antalya. It was farming and forestry land until the early 1990s; the courses were then cut through umbrella pine, along river valleys and beside long sandy beaches. Let us be fair about the town itself: it is functional rather than pretty, a strip of shops, pharmacies and barbers. You go for the resorts and the golf, not the postcard.
The concentration of courses is the real draw. Within a 15-minute transfer of most Belek hotels you can reach:
- Carya Golf Club, Europe’s first floodlit championship course
- Montgomerie Maxx Royal, Colin Montgomerie’s championship design
- Cornelia Faldo Course, Sir Nick Faldo’s 27-hole layout
- PGA Sultan Course, Antalya Golf Club’s signature test
- National Golf Club, Belek’s original championship course
- Gloria Golf Club, Turkey’s only 45-hole complex
- Lykia Links, the Mediterranean’s only true links (a longer run out, more on that below)
- Sueno Pines & Dunes, two contrasting layouts in one resort
Every resort runs on an all-inclusive basis: meals, drinks, snacks and hotel facilities are covered before you fly. Most courses are on site or a short shuttle away, so there are no hire cars to organise and no restaurant bills to split. For a group of twelve, that alone is worth a great deal.
Top 8 Golf Courses You Must Play
1. Carya Golf Club
Given a single round to spend in Belek, spend it here. Carya Golf Club holds the number one spot in Turkey on Golf Digest’s ranking, a Thomson Perrett design that plays like heathland, with heather, mature pines and water positioned exactly where it hurts. It is also Europe’s first fully floodlit 18-hole championship course, so you can tee off at nine in the evening and putt out under the lights.
Stay at: Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort, right beside the course
2. Montgomerie Maxx Royal
Colin Montgomerie, who topped the European Order of Merit eight times, shaped this championship layout at Maxx Royal Belek, and it staged three consecutive Turkish Airlines Opens between 2013 and 2015. The front nine runs through natural sand dunes and dense pine; the back nine adds elevation change and water. It also offers floodlit night golf.
3. Cornelia Faldo Course
Sir Nick Faldo laid out 27 holes at Cornelia Diamond Resort in three loops of nine, played in rotating combinations. The course is a regular fixture in Europe-wide Top 100 lists, and it makes you think from the tee. The fairways are generous. The greens are not.
4. PGA Sultan, Antalya Golf Club
European Golf Design drew up the Sultan alongside David Jones, once a touring professional, and on the wrong day it is probably the sternest card-wrecker in Belek, with contoured greens, deep bunkering and mature tree-lined fairways. It was here that Justin Rose took the Turkish Airlines World Golf Final title in 2012.
5. National Golf Club
Belek’s oldest championship course remains one of its finest. National Golf Club is parkland through eucalyptus-lined fairways, with water on several holes, and the Ladies European Tour has brought its events here. Play the right tees and it is a stern but fair examination whatever your handicap.
6. Gloria Golf Club — Old Course
Gloria Golf Resort holds Turkey’s only 45-hole complex: the Old Course, the New Course and the Verde. The Old, a Challenge Tour venue for the Turkish Airlines Challenge, is classic parkland through pine forest and around lakes. For a group that wants variety without transfers, Gloria is hard to argue against.
7. Lykia Links
Perry Dye’s Lykia Links is the odd one out: a true links along the shoreline, with pot bunkers, fescue rough and firm, fast-running fairways that would not look out of place on Scotland’s east coast. It is the only links experience in the Mediterranean region. Two caveats worth knowing. It sits well outside the main Belek cluster, so the shuttle takes far longer than the usual 15 minutes, and when the sea wind gets up it can be properly punishing off the back tees. Worth it once, at the very least.
8. Sueno Pines Course
Part of the Sueno Hotels Deluxe complex, the Pines Course threads through pine corridors past 19 lakes. Bring plenty of balls. Its sister, the Dunes Course, plays far more open, leaning links in character, complete with an island green that will feature in your group chat one way or another.
Best All-Inclusive Golf Resorts in Belek
| Resort | Stars | On-Site Course | Best For | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornelia Diamond | 5* | Faldo Course (27 holes) | Couples & luxury | |
| Titanic Deluxe Golf | 5* | Cullinan Links (36 holes) | Families & groups | |
| Regnum Carya | 5* | Carya Golf Club | Luxury & night golf | |
| Sueno Deluxe | 5* | Pines & Dunes (36 holes) | Value & walk-to-course | |
| Gloria Golf Resort | 5* | Old, New & Verde (45 holes) | Groups & variety | |
| Maxx Royal Belek | 5* | Montgomerie (18 holes) | Ultra-luxury | |
| Gloria Serenity | 5* | Access to Gloria courses | Couples & relaxation | |
| Voyage Belek | 5* | Access to 11 courses nearby | Families |
Pressed for a single recommendation on a first trip, we would book Cornelia Diamond ahead of Maxx Royal. You give up very little on the golf and keep nearly
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When to Go — Month-by-Month Guide
| Season | Months | Temperature | Conditions | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | March to May | 18 to 26°C | Warm days, cool evenings, courses at their greenest | Peak season, book early |
| Summer | June to August | 30 to 38°C | Hot, play early morning or under floodlights | Best deals available |
| Autumn | September to November | 20 to 28°C | Warm, quieter, European Tour season | Great value |
| Winter | December to February | 10 to 16°C | Mild with occasional rain, courses in top condition | Lowest prices |
Our recommendation: April, May, October and November hit the sweet spot of playing conditions, availability and price. Be honest with yourself about July and August, though. Afternoons regularly pass 35°C and even the locals play at dawn or under lights. And if a four-hour flight feels like too big a commitment for a winter break, a short hop across the Channel to Le Touquet, where Le Manoir starts at
Night Golf — A Uniquely Turkish Experience
No other European destination lets you play a full floodlit championship 18 after sunset. In Belek, two courses do: Carya Golf Club and the Montgomerie Maxx Royal, both lit end to end.
Night golf earns its keep in summer, when evening temperatures settle at a comfortable 22 to 25°C. The experience is odd in the best way. Pine scent on the air, a cooling breeze off the Mediterranean, and your ball flight lit against a black sky. Book it for your first or last evening and the trip has its story built in.
What Is Included in a GPH Turkey Package?
When you book a golf holiday in Turkey with Golf Planet Holidays, the logistics are handled before you land:
- Airport meet and greet: our dedicated representative meets you at Antalya Airport with a Golf Planet Holidays sign
- Private transfers exclusive to your group, not shared coaches
- Welcome drink in your transfer vehicle as the holiday begins
- All-inclusive hotel accommodation at your chosen 5-star resort
- Pre-arranged tee times at the courses you want, in the order you want them
- Golf course shuttle transfers exclusive to your group
- Welcome meeting led by a licensed tour guide
- In-resort support from our trusted local partner
- Financial protection: PTS protection on every booking; book your flights through us and ATOL cover applies as well
All our representatives in Turkey are fully licensed by the Ministry of Tourism, and every driver and rep speaks English.
Turkey Golf for Groups and Societies
Turkey may be the best destination anywhere for golf societies and large groups. All inclusive removes the two things that sour group trips, the split restaurant bill and the bar-tab argument, because everything is paid for before you fly.
Group rates depend on the resort, the season and your numbers, and with 14 courses inside 20 minutes a society can play a different course every day without ever feeling like it travelled. Our group-friendly picks: Gloria Golf Resort with 45 holes on site, Sueno Deluxe where you walk to both courses, and Voyage Belek with access to 11 courses within 10 miles.
Plenty of our societies run a UK warm-up in spring before the main event. In East Sussex, Dale Hill starts at
Beyond the Golf — Things to Do in Belek
The golf is the point, but rest days and non-playing partners are well looked after. Within easy reach of Belek:
- Antalya Old Town (Kaleici): Ottoman-era houses, narrow cobbled streets and harbour-front restaurants, about 40 minutes away
- Land of Legends Theme Park: Turkey’s answer to Disneyland, with waterslides, roller coasters and a shopping village
- Mediterranean beaches: long golden sand along the Belek coastline, much of it holding Blue Flag status
- Turkish baths (hammam): an essential experience; most resorts have their own hammam and spa
- Aspendos Theatre: one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world, still hosting performances today
- Düden Waterfalls: falls that drop straight into the Mediterranean Sea
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a golf holiday in Turkey cost?
All-inclusive golf packages in Belek typically start from around
Is Turkey safe for golf holidays?
Yes. Belek is a dedicated resort area with strong security, and it has welcomed international visitors and professional events, including DP World Tour tournaments, for over two decades.
Do I need a visa to visit Turkey?
UK citizens need an e-Visa, obtained online in minutes for roughly
Can I hire golf clubs in Belek?
Yes. All major courses offer club hire, typically good branded sets. Most golfers still prefer their own clubs, and our flight packages include golf bag carriage.
How far is Belek from Antalya Airport?
Approximately 30 kilometres, or 30 to 45 minutes by private transfer. Our packages include transfers exclusive to your group.
Is Belek good for non-golfers?
Very. The 5-star resorts have serious spas, multiple pools, beach clubs, water sports and kids’ clubs, and Antalya is 40 minutes away for sightseeing and shopping.
What is the best time of year to play golf in Turkey?
April to May and September to November give the best combination of weather, course condition and value. Winter, December to February, is mild and carries the lowest prices.
Can I play night golf in Turkey?
Yes. Carya Golf Club and the Montgomerie Maxx Royal both offer full 18-hole floodlit rounds, which you will not find anywhere else in Europe.
Are buggies available?
Yes, at every course. We recommend booking them in advance through us to guarantee availability, particularly in peak season.
What about group discounts?
Group rates depend on the resort, the season and your numbers. We confirm exactly what your group qualifies for in writing when we quote. Contact us with your group size and we will build a quote around your dates with the best group deal going.
Ready to book your Turkey golf holiday?
View our latest Turkey deals or call us on +44 (0)1277 284284. Still weighing Turkey against Portugal? Dolce CampoReal near Lisbon, from
What a golf break here costs by month, PT
| 0.74 | 0.82 | 0.95 | 1.00 | 1.03 | 1.06 | 1.17 | 1.19 | 1.12 | 1.00 | 0.81 | 0.74 |
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a golf holiday in Europe cost?
Hand-built golf breaks in Europe start from
Do you arrange flights to Europe?
Flights can be added as an ATOL-protected option, or you book your own and we handle everything on the ground — private transfers, tee times and buggies.
Is my money protected?
Yes. Every booking is financially protected through Protected Trust Services (PTS) — your money is held safely in trust until you have travelled. Flight-inclusive trips are also ATOL protected.
Can I tailor the trip?
Always. We don’t sell off-the-shelf packages — every Europe break is built personally around your group, your preferred courses and your dates.
Come and play with us
Wherever you're travelling from, you're welcome on a Golf Planet hosted tour — a small group, a host with you from the first tee to the last, and every round, transfer and dinner taken care of. You just bring the clubs.
