Natalie For courses and resorts, golf tourism in Turkey now matches the likes of Portugal and Spain. Once classed as the underdog of southeast Europe, Turkey’s profile has risen significantly, attracting golfers worldwide, including high-profile professionals.
The growth in golfing in Turkey has also led the way to owning property, as more real estate investors flocked to own summer golf homes or invest in property to rent out. Many foreign owners in the resort of Belek gain rental income for much of the year, with rental demand rising when world championships are held there.
So, let’s learn more about Turkey’s golf industry and how this impacts the property market. This article will discuss Turkey’s golfing industry, top resorts like Montgomerie Maxx Royal Golf, other places for golf holidays, best golf courses, and golfing properties.
The Growth of Golfing Tourism in Turkey
It all started about twenty years. The Turkish Golf Federation (TGF) and Turkish Airlines played significant roles in promoting golfing in Turkey over the last two decades, including inviting Tiger Woods to play.
In addition, Turkish Airlines, the national flight carrier, contributed to the growth of golf holidays by sponsoring significant tournaments like the Turkish Airlines Open and the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open. These events raised awareness of Turkey as a premier golf vacation destination.
The TGF, established in 1895 and restructured in the early 1990s, also promotes golf in Turkey. They own and manage several clubs in Turkey. The Turkish Golf Federation (TGF) oversees and promotes the sport. They work to develop and maintain the sport at various levels, including organizing tournaments, implementing rules, facilitating player development programs, and representing the country in international golfing events. Their objectives often include…
Organization of Tournaments: Coordinating and conducting various golf tournaments and events throughout the country. This ranges from local and regional competitions to national championships.
Player Development: Spotting and developing talent within the country. This could involve identifying young and promising players, providing training programs, and supporting their participation in domestic and international competitions.
Representation in world golf final international events: Be the official representative of the Turkish national golf club at international golfing events, like the Olympics, World Amateur Team Championships, and other regional or global competitions.
Golf Holiday Destinations in Turkey
Turkey offers several golf courses across the country to enjoy the sport. Some popular destinations for golfing in Turkey include:
- Istanbul: The vibrant city of Istanbul offers golf holidays. There are several clubs and courses in and around the city. Kemer Golf & Country Club and Istanbul Golf Club are two notable options.
- Bodrum: The Bodrum Peninsula in southwestern Turkey is renowned for natural beauty and golf courses. Regnum Golf & Country Club and Vita Park Golf Resort are two unique holiday options in Bodrum.
- Kusadasi: Located on the Aegean coast, Kusadasi offers golf holidays with courses like Kusadasi International Golf Club.
However, Belek is the king of them all in the Mediterranean Antalya region.
Golf Holidays in Belek – Antalya
Belek, on Turkey’s southern coast, approximately 30 kilometres east of Antalya, is renowned for beautiful beaches, seven springs, luxury resorts, and impressive courses. As a result, Belek has emerged as a top golfing holiday destination attracting enthusiasts from everywhere.
Belek is also home to numerous courses designed by renowned golf course architects. The region’s facilities gained recognition for their high standards, challenging layouts, and stunning landscapes. Many courses are associated with luxury resorts, offering complete golf holidays for the whole family.
Best Golf Courses in Belek
Montgomerie Maxx Royal: Designed by Colin Montgomerie, this former championship golf course has hosted multiple Turkish Airlines Open tournaments, attracting top professional golfers. Montgomerie Maxx Royal features challenging layouts with strategic bunkering and, as one of Turkey’s best courses, has hosted several European Tour host events.
Carya Golf Club: Known as the first floodlit course in Turkey, the Carya golf club features pine tree-lined fairways, undulating greens, and a challenging design. The course has hosted European Tour events. The course is designed by Australian golf legend Peter Thomson and offers unique blends of British and Turkish design elements. In addition, the course features heathlands, which are uncommon in Turkey golf, giving it distinct British charm.
Gloria Golf Club: Gloria Golf Club boasts three 18-hole championship courses: the Old Course, the New Course, and the Verde Course. Each course has distinct characteristics and challenges, providing various golf vacation options.
Cornelia Golf Club: Cornelia Golf Club offers two 18-hole courses, the Faldo Course and King Course, for the perfect golf break. The Faldo Course, designed by Sir Nick Faldo, features strategic bunkering and water hazards. At the same time, the King Course offers more forgiving fairways and expansive greens. These courses provide challenges and stunning scenery, making them popular for golfers visiting Turkey.
Antalya Golf Club Sultan: The PGA Sultan course is a championship course known for challenging layouts and beautiful views. The club has hosted professional tournaments and is part of the larger Antalya Golf Club complex, including the Pasha Course. Both courses are designed with water hazards, beautiful woods, and sandy banks, making them perfect for Turkish golf holidays.
Sueno Hotel and Golf Club: Features the Sueno Pines and Sueno Dunes Golf Course. Both courses offer tight tree lines, long slopes, sandy terrain, and pine trees, making this a stunning setting alongside comprehensive customer service.
Lykia Links Golf Club: The first links course in the country is built beside a river that flows into the Mediterranean Sea. This 18-hole golf course features sand dunes, bunkers, and lakes, making it a challenging course but the perfect destination for golf breaks.
Facilities and Amenities to Play Golf in Style
The courses in Belek provide top-notch facilities and amenities. Expect well-maintained fairways, quality greens, practice areas, driving ranges, and professional golf academies for lessons and improvement. Clubhouses often offer pro shops, locker rooms, restaurants, and other amenities to cater to golfers’ needs.
Additionally, Belek’s golf resorts typically offer many accommodation options, from luxury hotels to all-inclusive resorts. Many resorts have direct access allowing golfers to stay close to their preferred courses. Overall, Belek’s stunning natural surroundings, high-quality courses, and luxurious accommodations have made it the sought-after destination in Turkey’s golf front.
Best Golf Resorts in Turkey
Various places offer all the amenities for the avid golfer, from superior rooms, fantastic service, and easy access to the sandy beaches.
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Sirene Belek Hotel for a Golf holiday.
The Sirene Belek Hotel is attached to the Antalya Golf Club. It offers guests two courses: the Pasha and the Sultan. In addition, the hotel provides customizable golf packages for all types of travellers, making this one of the top five-star resorts.
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Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort and Spa
The Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort and Spa offer golf breaks in Turkey, with three Nick Faldo-designed courses as the ideal destination. The resort also houses the Leadbetter Golf Academy for those looking to improve their skills and play golf again during their golf holiday.
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Gloria Golf Resort
The Gloria Golf Resort offers Turkey’s only 45-hole golf course. The resort features the Old Course, the New Course, and the Verde Select Course. These courses have hosted numerous professional and amateur golf championships. They also attract many golfers with their impressive reputation.
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Regnum Carya Golf and Spa Resort
The Regnum Carya Golf and Spa Resort is known for luxurious golf holidays, the Carya Golf Club, and the National Golf Club. The resort sells all-inclusive packages, making it popular with golfers.
5: Kaya Palazzo Golf
Kaya Palazzo Golf, designed by the world-famous architectural firm WATG, is the work of flawless five-star luxury. The SPA Center of 3,500 m2, sea view rooms, mini club for children, unique rooms with pool access, and la carte restaurants make the Kaya Palazzo Golf a top-rated destination.
6: Titanic Deluxe Golf Belek
Titanic Deluxe Golf Belek has 594 rooms spread over 170 thousand square meters and offers all the amenities you would expect from deluxe resorts. Sitting next to the Besgoz River, famous for its blue crabs, Titanic Deluxe Golf Belek almost sits within Belek’s towering pine forests. Still, it is the perfect destination for golfing holidays.
Best Time for Golf Holidays in Turkey
There are low and high seasons for golf holidays. The ideal time for golf holidays in Turkey is between April to June, or October to December. These months are warm but not hot, making it perfect for spending hours on the golf course. Avoid winter, as chilly weather and rainfall make golfing less enjoyable. Book golf packages in advance, as most clubs require prior booking.
Golfing Properties in Belek
So naturally, as with any shift in identity, the real estate markets of destination constantly change as well. When Belek emerged as a top destination, the property market shifted gears. More developers-built properties in line with golfing holidays, and for those who rented out their homes, when championship courses came to town, they found their bookings went through the roof. Here are some options to purchase a property in Belek as a golf holiday destination.
Villas: There are numerous villa communities in Belek built around courses. These villas often have private swimming pools, landscaped gardens, and easy-course access. In addition, they offer spacious living areas, multiple bedrooms, and modern amenities, providing an ideal base for perfect golf holidays in Turkey.
Apartments: Belek also offers apartments and penthouses. They feature balconies or terraces with course views, communal swimming pools, and other shared facilities.
Resort Residences: Many luxury resorts in Belek include residential units. These residences for sale offer all resort amenities, including courses, spa facilities, restaurants, and more. They provide high-end living experiences with golfing facilities.
Buy Land and Build: For personalized approaches, purchase land in Belek and build your custom-designed golf property. With the guidance of architects and local regulations, create a home tailored to your specific needs and preferences.
Buying a Golfing Home
For seasoned golfers or those new to the sport, golf holidays in Turkey are an exciting experience. If you are looking for a new property to use on a golf holiday or as a rental investment, browse our apartments and villas for sale in Belek. Each listing contains everything to know, including price, location, home features and contact details to learn more about property viewing on golf trips.
Also, About Belek and Turkey
Belek in Antalya: As one of 66 neighbourhoods in the Serik district, many foreigners have never heard of Serik but know all about Belek. Outside of tourism, the population drops to 7000 residents but come May, many holiday companies sell all-inclusive resort holidays to Belek, so this number expands as tourists descend. This article examines the resort and what visitors and potential ex-pats can expect.
Antalya Region: Belek belongs to the larger Antalya region of Turkey, which is the capital of golf holiday tourism in Turkey and is famous for house sales and foreign tourism. This guide to the districts of Antalya aims to provide informative facts. On the southern side, Turkey’s Antalya province covers a vast area stretching along the Mediterranean coast until the Fethiye region.
