It’s one of those awe-inspiring moments when you realize you are standing on hallowed ground. You breathe in the salty Mediterranean air and the scents of pine, eucalyptus and heather as you gaze down fairways that sweep across landscapes where Greeks and Romans once built temples, sanctuaries and picturesque cities. Legend says this was once the playground of the gods; today, renowned architects have shaped an extraordinary playground for golfers across Turkey.
As the cradle of civilizations, Turkey blends ancient history with modern life. Its terrain is scattered with remnants of past empires—more Greek ruins than Greece in some regions and numerous Roman sites—alongside soaring skyscrapers, ornate mosques and charming cafés. Visitors encounter captivating coastlines, rugged mountains, cosmopolitan cities and tranquil villages, all framed by a Mediterranean climate, diverse culture and a celebrated culinary scene. Turkey’s past stretches back millennia and includes a surprising chapter in the story of golf.
The country’s first golf club was established in 1895 in Istanbul: the nine-hole Istanbul Golf Club in the Maslak district. Since then, golf in Turkey has evolved rapidly. Internationally acclaimed designers such as Colin Montgomerie, Nick Faldo, Perry Dye, Michel Gayon and Dave Thomas have left their mark on Turkish courses. Jack Nicklaus has also contributed, with his course set to open at the Mardan Palace Antalya resort. This blend of history and modern investment has helped Turkey emerge as a world-class and surprisingly affordable golf destination.
The Turkish Riviera, along the Antalya coastline, has become the nation’s golf epicenter. Belek, in particular, now hosts the largest concentration of luxury hotels, golf resorts and courses. Since 1995, 19 clubs or resorts have opened in the area—six since 2005—providing 252 holes within a 20-mile radius. With roughly 300 days of sunshine annually, the conditions favor year-round play.
On the southern coast, Lykia-Links Antalya gained rare distinction in 2008 as one of about 300 true links courses worldwide and the first in Turkey. This par-72 layout sits close to the beach, with every hole offering views of the Mediterranean and the Toros Mountains. Perry Dye’s design winds through natural sand dunes with pot bunkers, rye grass and elevated tees, while coastal winds pose a formidable test on four seaside holes.
For those seeking a modern challenge, The Montgomerie Maxx Royal—formerly Papillon Golf Club—is a $100 million golf and resort complex that opened in 2008 in Belek. Colin Montgomerie’s first Mediterranean course sprawls over 260 acres of pine and eucalyptus forest. The par-72 championship layout features natural ridges, sandy terrain and eight lakes, all backed by stunning coastal views. The resort also offers a practice facility and a short nine-hole, par-27 Academy course to ease new players into the game.
French architect Michel Gayon designed the Gloria Golf Club, the first Turkish resort to pair on-site accommodation with a championship course. Today the complex is the largest golf facility in the country, with 45 holes across two 18-hole courses (Old and New) and a nine-hole Verde course. The Gloria Golf Academy and driving range complement extensive practice amenities, making it a premier training destination in Belek.
The Gloria Old Course, a classic parkland layout, is Belek’s third-oldest course and a long-standing host of European Tour events. Tree-lined fairways, tight doglegs, deep bunkers and seven freshwater lakes create a traditional challenge for golfers. The Gloria New Course, also by Gayon and opened in 2005, offers a more open, undulating test with four expansive lakes and 67 bunkers. Its signature 17th echoes the famed island-green challenge seen at TPC Sawgrass, while the lake-fringed 9th and 18th reward precise shot-making.
Carya Golf Club, opened in 2008, evokes the feel of England’s heathland courses, drawing inspiration from Surrey’s classic layouts. Nearly a million locally grown heather plants were introduced to restore and strengthen the natural environment. Heather-lined fairways, pine and eucalyptus stands, and a prominent sand ridge combine to create a visually striking and memorable playing experience.
Nick Faldo’s Cornelia Golf Club, the centerpiece of Cornelia Golf Resort since 2006, features elevated tees, nine lakes, challenging bunkers and strategic doglegs. The 27-hole complex can be played as three 18-hole combinations—King Championship, Queen and Prince—with the King stretching to nearly 6,947 yards. Its demanding layout has earned strong popularity among serious players. Cornelia is also home to the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, the first of its kind in Turkey.
Playing a PGA-standard course in Turkey is a distinct highlight. Antalya Golf Club’s PGA Sultan, opened in 2003, is a demanding layout with rolling fairways, 12 water hazards, nearly 100 sand traps and numerous pot bunkers, and it enforces handicap requirements. Two signature closing holes provide dramatic finishes: the 16th is a 539-yard par-5 dogleg with water guarding the right, while the 18th requires a long tee shot over water to an approach into an undulating green flanked by water on both sides. The course has gone on to host international competitions and boost Turkey’s reputation on the global golf stage.
Other distinguished venues include The Pasha, sister course to PGA Sultan; Sueno Golf Club, featuring two championship-style links courses; the TAT International Golf Club with 27 holes and views alternating between snow-capped mountains and the Mediterranean; and the National Golf Club, located about 25 minutes from Antalya’s airport, which offers 27 holes designed to international standards and caters to a broad range of skill levels.
No trip to Turkey is complete without a visit to Istanbul, a vibrant city where East meets West. Straddling both Europe and Asia across the Bosporus Strait, Istanbul—historically Constantinople—served as the capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires and remains a cultural and historical crossroads.
Istanbul supports roughly a dozen golf courses, including the Istanbul Golf Club, one of Europe’s oldest. Originally established as the Constantinople Golf Club with a 12-hole layout, it later reopened in 1920 near the city’s northern bridges. The nine-hole Istanbul Golf Club preserves more than a century of golfing tradition within the metropolis.
Set amid the rolling hills of Belgrade Forest and just a half-hour from the city center, Kemer Golf & Country Club is Istanbul’s most prestigious country club. This 18-hole, par-72 championship course opened in 1995 and presents a scenic, tightly contoured round with narrow fairways, well-placed bunkers and water features that emphasize strategic play.
On the Sea of Marmara, about 55 miles west of Istanbul, Klassis Golf & Country Club is the region’s seaside course recognized as a PGA Tournament venue. Klassis has hosted European Challenge events and other professional tournaments. The par-72 layout mixes four par 3s, five par 5s and nine par 4s, and it includes dramatic features like a deep valley replacing part of the 12th fairway and a signature 188-yard par-3 over water to a tiered green.
Turkey combines deep historical roots with a growing, high-quality golf scene and favorable climate, offering an appealing destination for golfers of all levels.
Info To GoAntalya Airport (AYT) lies about six miles east of the city center; the Havas airport shuttle takes roughly 30 minutes. Travel to Belek, the main golf hub, typically requires a private shuttle or taxi and takes approximately 30–40 minutes. Istanbul’s Atatürk International Airport (IST) at Yeşilköy is about 14 miles west of the city center and is one of Turkey’s busiest airports. Options to reach Taksim Square include the light metro to Aksaray (about 35 minutes), the Havas airport shuttle (around 45 minutes) and taxis (35–75 minutes, depending on traffic). |
LodgingGloria Hotels & Resorts Klassis Resort Hotel Mardan Palace Antalya |
DiningGizli Bahçe (Secret Garden) Restaurant Haci Baba Restaurant Meridiana Restaurant & Bar |