The Best Golf Courses in Turkey: Championship Golf in Belek
One of the biggest reasons golfers choose Golf Holidays Turkey is the outstanding selection of championship golf courses. While many European golf destinations have one or two famous layouts, Belek offers an impressive collection of world-class courses within just a few kilometres of each other.
Each golf course has its own personality. Some reward accuracy and course management, while others challenge players with strategic bunkering, water hazards and championship-length holes. This variety allows golfers to experience a completely different challenge every day without ever leaving the Belek region.
Whether you are visiting Turkey for your first golf holiday or returning to discover another outstanding course, Belek offers an unforgettable golfing experience for players of every handicap level.
Table of Contents
ToggleCarya Golf Club – A True Championship Experience
Widely regarded as one of Turkey’s finest golf courses, Carya Golf Club has earned an outstanding international reputation for both its design and immaculate course conditioning.
Inspired by the classic heathland courses of England, Carya combines rolling fairways, strategically positioned bunkers and beautifully maintained greens with mature pine forests that frame many of the holes. Precision is rewarded here far more than power, making course management an essential part of scoring well.
Carya has also hosted prestigious international tournaments, attracting many of the world’s leading professional golfers. Playing the same fairways used during elite competitions gives visitors a memorable championship experience.
Best suited for:
- Low and mid-handicap golfers
- Golfers who enjoy strategic course design
- Tournament players
- Golf groups looking for a premium championship experience
Cullinan Links Golf Club – Two Outstanding Championship Courses
One of the newest stars of Golf Holidays Belek is Cullinan Links Golf Club.
Located beside the Mediterranean Sea, the club offers golfers two distinctive championship layouts surrounded by rivers, lakes and coastal scenery.
Unlike traditional parkland golf, many holes here require thoughtful club selection and careful positioning from the tee. Water comes into play on numerous holes, creating exciting risk-and-reward opportunities throughout the round.
The facilities are equally impressive, with modern practice areas, spacious locker rooms and an elegant clubhouse providing everything expected from a premium golf destination.
For golfers staying at nearby luxury resorts, Cullinan Links is often one of the highlights of their trip.
Best suited for:
- Golfers seeking modern championship golf
- Groups wanting variety
- Players who enjoy scenic golf courses
- Luxury golf holidays
Gloria Golf Club – Three Courses, Endless Possibilities
Few golf clubs in Europe offer the variety available at Gloria Golf Club.
With three separate courses, golfers can enjoy completely different experiences during the same holiday.
Gloria Old Course
The Old Course is famous for its mature pine trees, beautiful lakes and strategic design. Accuracy is rewarded throughout the round, making it a favourite among experienced golfers.
Gloria New Course
Slightly more forgiving from the tee while still offering an enjoyable challenge, the New Course combines generous fairways with well-protected greens.
Gloria Verde Course
Designed primarily as an academy and shorter championship course, Verde is ideal for beginners, families and golfers looking to sharpen their short game.
This variety makes Gloria one of the most flexible golf destinations in Turkey.
Best suited for:
- Golf societies
- Mixed ability groups
- Couples
- Golf academies
- Junior golfers
Antalya Golf Club – PGA Sultan & The Pasha
No discussion about Golf Courses in Turkey would be complete without mentioning Antalya Golf Club.
Home to both PGA Sultan and The Pasha, the club offers two outstanding championship layouts that complement each other perfectly.
PGA Sultan
Often regarded as one of Turkey’s most demanding golf courses, PGA Sultan challenges golfers from the opening tee shot until the final putt.
Long par fours, strategically positioned water hazards and beautifully protected greens require both accuracy and patience.
This course has become a favourite among experienced golfers looking for a genuine championship test.
Ideal for:
- Low handicappers
- Competitive golfers
- Golf societies
- Tournament preparation
The Pasha
While more forgiving than PGA Sultan, The Pasha still provides an enjoyable and rewarding round.
Wider fairways and slightly shorter holes make it particularly suitable for mid and higher handicap golfers without sacrificing quality.
Many visitors enjoy playing both courses during the same golf holiday.
Montgomerie Maxx Royal Golf Club
Designed by Ryder Cup legend Colin Montgomerie, this spectacular championship course has become one of Turkey’s most recognisable golfing landmarks.
Powerful bunkering, dramatic waste areas and beautifully shaped greens combine to create a memorable golfing challenge.
The finishing stretch is considered one of the finest in Turkey, demanding both confidence and intelligent shot selection.
Golfers who appreciate championship tournament conditions will particularly enjoy Montgomerie Maxx Royal.
Best suited for:
- Experienced golfers
- Golf groups
- Corporate tournaments
- Luxury golf holidays
Cornelia Golf Club
Designed by six-time Major Champion Sir Nick Faldo, Cornelia Golf Club rewards strategic thinking rather than simply hitting the ball as far as possible.
The layout winds naturally through pine forests while incorporating numerous lakes and carefully positioned bunkers.
Golfers often describe Cornelia as one of the fairest championship courses in Belek because good decisions are consistently rewarded.
Perfect for:
- Course strategists
- Mid and low handicappers
- Returning visitors
- Golf societies
National Golf Club
As one of the original golf clubs established in Belek, National Golf Club remains highly respected among both local and international golfers.
Tree-lined fairways, excellent conditioning and a traditional golfing atmosphere make it an enjoyable contrast to some of the newer resort courses.
Many experienced golfers appreciate the classic feel of National Golf Club and include it in every visit to Turkey.
Lykia Links Golf Club – Turkey’s Only True Links Course
For golfers seeking something completely different, Lykia Links Golf Club provides one of the most distinctive golfing experiences in the Mediterranean.
Unlike the parkland layouts that dominate Belek, Lykia Links embraces a true coastal links philosophy.
Rolling fairways, natural dunes, coastal winds and spectacular sea views create a golfing experience reminiscent of famous links courses found in Scotland and Ireland.
Every round is influenced by the wind, meaning the course can play very differently from one day to the next.
Many golfers consider Lykia Links one of the most memorable courses they will ever play during a golf holiday in Turkey.
Best suited for:
- Experienced golfers
- Links golf enthusiasts
- Repeat visitors
- Golf photographers
- Players seeking a completely different challenge
Which Golf Course Is Right for You?
Every golfer has different expectations, which is why choosing the right courses is one of the most important parts of planning a successful golf holiday.
If you’re visiting Turkey for the first time, a balanced itinerary often provides the best overall experience.
For example:
| Golfer Type | Recommended Courses |
|---|---|
| Beginners | Gloria Verde, The Pasha |
| Mid Handicap | Gloria Old, Cornelia, Cullinan Links |
| Low Handicap | Carya, PGA Sultan, Montgomerie Maxx Royal |
| Links Golf Lovers | Lykia Links |
| Mixed Groups | Gloria Golf Club, Cullinan Links |
| Luxury Golf Holidays | Carya, Cullinan Links, Montgomerie |
By combining different styles of golf throughout your stay, every round feels fresh while allowing you to experience the full diversity of Turkish golf.
Expert Advice from Golf Mad
One of the questions we are asked most often is:
“Which golf course should we play?”
The answer depends on far more than handicap alone.
Group size, preferred pace of play, travel dates, previous golfing experience and accommodation all influence the ideal itinerary.
At Golf Mad, we help golfers create personalised schedules that combine the right golf courses with the most suitable hotels, ensuring every day offers a different and memorable experience.
Rather than simply booking tee times, we aim to design golf holidays that golfers will want to repeat year after year.
