The Best Golf Courses to Play in Turkey

By: Golfshake Editor | Thu 11 Jul 2019

TURKEY is now a destination that is seen by golfers as a genuine alternative to the Algarve. Indeed, the Turkish Tourist Board is marketing the country, and the Belek region in particular, as a genuine option. There are now a series of fantastic golf courses, all boasting incredible facilities, with the added bonus of all-year round sunshine.

Golf in this part of the part is not necessarily cheap, but the courses are all beautifully maintained and offer everything you will find in either the Algarve or the golf hotspots in Spain. Here, we pick out just a few of the best.

National Golf Club

Type: Parkland

Green fees: 68-130 euros

Opened in 1994, National is one of the most popular golf courses in Turkey and has consistently featured in Golf World’s list of the top 50 courses in Europe. The 18-hole championship course was designed by David Feherty and David Jones and hosted the Turkish Seniors Open in 1996 and 1997. Carved through a forest of eucalyptus and pine trees with the back-drop of the snow capped Taurus mountains and an abundance of natural lakes, the National tests all abilities of players. It features a 40-bay driving range, two chipping and putting greens and practice bunkers. The nine-hole Executive Course features wide tree-lined holes, with water in play on several holes. There is also a state-of-the-art, friendly and welcoming clubhouse.

Reason to play: it’s one of the best courses in Europe

For more information, visit Golfbreaks.com.

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Cornelia Golf Club

Type: Parkland

Green fee 65-125 euros

The 27-hole Nick Faldo Championship Golf Course in Belek was opened in November 2006. Cornelia Golf Club is a treelined course located on the eastern side of Belek, with a modern stylish design and first class amenities. It makes the most of towering pine trees, with a broad dune ridge running across the course. It features several elevated tees which provide spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Typical of Nick Faldo's design, it calls for a strategic approach. Cornelia Faldo has already established itself as one of the must play courses in the area. The course is always in superb condition, with wonderful greens. The clubhouse features a David Leadbetter Academy with a driving range, three putting greens, two chipping and pitching greens, and separate practice areas for groups. Golfers playing at the Cornelia Golf Club Nick Faldo course also receive one free range token each.

Reason to play: magnificent condition all year round

For more information, visit Golfbreaks.com.

Gloria Old and New

Type: Parkland

Green fee 78-110 euros

The Gloria Old Course is a 6,279m par 72 which has hosted several European Tour events since it opened in 1997. It is carved through beautiful pine trees and features seven lakes. A proper test. Gloria New is a 6,239m par 72 that opened in 2005 and quickly became a favourite with tourists. In 2007 it staged the European Seniors Tour Classic. Tree-lined, it features four lakes and 67 bunkers. The 17th hole is a replica of the world-famous island par-three 17th at TPC Sawgrass, home of the Players Championship.

Reason to play: the 17th hole

For more information, visit Golfbreaks.com.

Montgomerie Maxx

Type: Parkland/links

Green fee: 84-156 euros

The Montgomerie Maxx Royal is one of the biggest golf facilities in Turkey. With courses designed by Colin Montgomerie, it combines quality with spectacular design and presentation and is the host course for the 2019 Turkish Airlines Open. It only opened in 2008 but has already established itself as one of the best facilities in Europe, featuring a spectacular clubhouse with a large terrace and mouthwatering menu. Complementing the 18 hole Montgomerie Course is a golf academy and superb practice facilities. Set within 104 hectares of pine forest and ridges, Monty describes it as his finest piece of design work. It features eight lakes and dozens of well-place bunkers. It is also the only course in the area to use Bent grass rather than Bermuda.

Reason to play: a fantastic test

For more information, visit Golfbreaks.com.

Titanic Golf

Type: Parkland/links

Green fee: 119-125 euros

Titanic Golf Belek boasts 27 holes, made up of three loops of nine, offering 18 holes of parkland golf and nine holes of links, meaning that visitors face every kind challenge the game has to offer, including lakes, rivers, trees and dunes. During 2010 the bunkers were renovated, some removed and some added to take into account improved golf club and ball technology. The clubhouse was also upgraded and anew driving range building was constructed and the greens have been reprofiled and expanded. The practice area comprises a putting green, a putting-chipping green and two additional pitching greens for bunker shots and approach shots, along with a driving range featuring three big target greens and more than 40 training tees.

Reason to play: unique mix of parkland and links golf

For more information, visit Golfbreaks.com.

Sueno Dunes and Sueno Pines

Type: Parkland/links

Green fee: 51-92 euros (buggy included)

Sueno Golf Club features two courses and a luxurious five-star hotel. The courses are both lined with the pine trees that are such a feature of this area, with water coming into play on several holes. Itroutinely hosts local, national and international tournaments.

Reason to play: stunning scenery

For more information, visit Golfbreaks.com.

Other courses include: