We have planned the perfect itinerary for a golf trip to Belek in Turkey, one of the world’s best destinations for golfers.
The town of Belek lies on the Mediterranean coastal region of Antalya, known as The Turkish Riviera. Most of the country’s best golf courses can be found along this stretch of coastline, which also boasts a plethora of five-star luxurious hotels.
Just a 30 minutes’ drive from the airport and you’ll find this luxurious golf course and resort. Designed by European golfing legend Colin Montgomerie, the course opened for play in 2008 and in 2013-15 and 2019 staged the Turkish Open, the first ever European Tour event to be held in Turkey. Montgomerie Maxx Royal has stunning mountain views, pine and eucalyptus trees lining the fairways, and it works with the area’s natural features to create an enjoyable yet challenging course. With multiple lakes dotted around, water hazards play a prominent role and the slanting greens will keep you on your toes.
Suggested Accommodation
Maxx Royal Golf Resort (on the site of the golf club)
The 5* all-inclusive Maxx Royal Golf Resort is one of the most luxurious golf resorts in Europe, with the Montgomerie Maxx golf course right opposite the hotel. There is a large selection of room options for singles, couples and groups, including the Albatross golf villas, which can accommodate up to 10 people. There’s an incredible array of bars and dining options, a world-class spa and several swimming pools.
Just a 15 minutes’ drive from Montgomerie Maxx Royal Golf Club and you’ll find another world-class course. The layout at National Golf Club has been wonderfully carved through a forest of eucalyptus and pine trees with the Taurus mountains as a backdrop. It’s a stunningly beautiful golf course, with an interesting layout and an abundance of challenging hazards. In 2016 a third 9-hole option was added called ‘Ada’ (holes 19-27), while the original 18 holes now being known as ‘Irmac’ (1-9) and ‘Tuna’ (10-18).
Being so close to Montgomerie Maxx Royal Golf Club, you can stay at Maxx Royal Golf Resort and play this course too.
3: Regnum Carya Ranked #1 in Turkey on All Square
Just a 10 minutes’ drive from Montgomerie Maxx Royal, Regnum Carya hosted the Turkish Open between 2016-18. It’s a heathland style course which plays like a little slice of classic English golf on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast. It winds snugly between natural pine and eucalyptus trees, across undulating sand ridges and the greens are immaculate. Carya was also the first course in Europe to be fully floodlit, so you can play in the evening, too. We highly recommended adding this wonderful course to your golfing itinerary.
Suggested Accommodation
Regnum Carya Hotel (on the site of the golf club)
This stunning 5* beachside resort offers 530 bedrooms made up of golf view, sea view, suites, and golf villas. Every luxurious room features a balcony offering stunning views of Carya golf course or the Mediterranean. There’s a huge selection of food and bars, an incredible spa with traditional Turkish baths and therapies, and six pools including a surf wave pool.
As the Carya golf course is so close to Maxx Royal Golf Resort, you can stay in either hotel and play both courses.
The Antalya Golf Club offers two first-class championship courses, The Sultan and The Pasha. Of the two courses, the PGA Sultan has been designed with lower handicap golfers in mind. Designed by David Jones and European Golf Design, the course takes full advantage of the stunning surroundings, with plenty of water hazards. It delivers a stern but rewarding test that any keen player will relish.
Antalya Golf Club is just 10 minutes’ from both our recommended accommodation options.
The Pasha is a shorter and less challenging course than its sibling, The Sultan. But it will still test the abilities of high and low handicappers alike with a combination of different challenges. During their round golfers will face an interesting mixture of wide fairways, open bays, challenging doglegs, cleverly placed bunkers, tricky water hazards and rolling greens.
Lykia Links is a hidden gem and the only genuine links golf course in the Mediterranean. It’s just an hours’ drive from the airport, and only 10km from Belek. It’s a challenging, undulating and strategic golf course located right along the coast. The sea views are stunning.
