Inspired by the traditional heathland courses of England, Carya is a unique Mediterranean layout featuring heather imported from the UK. It is also famous for being the first 18-hole course in Europe to offer a full floodlight system for night golf. For the ultimate luxury stay, the Regnum Carya is the on-site resort, offering a massive 5-star experience with swim-up rooms, a private Egyptian-sand beach, and free access to The Land of Legends theme park.

This 27-hole complex by Sir Nick Faldo is a true “thinker’s course” that rewards accuracy over power. It winds through a dense pine forest with significant elevation changes and deep bunkers that require careful navigation. The best place to stay is the Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa, a stylish 5-star hotel that offers direct access to the club and features a world-class spa and seven different swimming pools.

Unique in Turkey, Lykia is a true Perry Dye-designed links course situated directly on the Mediterranean shoreline. It features pot bunkers, undulating fairways, and the constant challenge of sea breezes. You should stay on-site at the Lykia World Antalya, a contemporary resort that boasts a 2.5km private beach and massive suites, providing a secluded escape that feels more like the Scottish coast than the Turkish Riviera.

Opened in 1994, the National was the first international-standard course in Belek and remains a purist’s favorite. It is a tight, demanding layout that was carved out of a forest of eucalyptus and pine trees. For a nearby stay, the Zeynep Hotel offers a sophisticated and tranquil base with easy access to the National and its sister courses at Carya, along with excellent beachfront facilities.

Designed by David Jones, this course is known for being shorter but highly technical, rewarding players who can think their way around the fairways. It is a very accessible and enjoyable round for all handicap levels. Stay at the Kaya Palazzo Golf Resort, a stunningly designed hotel with distinct architecture, luxury lagoon suites, and one of the largest aquaparks in the region for post-round family fun.

Designed by Ryder Cup legend Colin Montgomerie, this course is a masterpiece of strategy, featuring no fewer than eight lakes and massive bunkers. It has hosted the Turkish Airlines Open multiple times and is known for its immaculate conditioning. You should stay at the Maxx Royal Belek Golf Resort, an ultra-luxury, all-inclusive property where every room is a suite and the service is widely considered the best in Turkey.

The PGA Sultan is a formidable championship test that has hosted some of the world’s best golfers. It is characterized by narrow fairways, large water hazards, and perfectly manicured greens that demand total focus. To match the championship atmosphere, stay at the Sirene Belek Hotel, a grand, classic golf resort located right on the property that offers a very professional and welcoming environment for dedicated players.

The Gloria Old Course is a lush, parkland-style classic that winds through ancient pine forests at the foot of the Taurus Mountains. It features tight fairways and seven man-made lakes, offering a peaceful but technical challenge. The ideal base is the Gloria Golf Resort, a 5-star all-inclusive property that provides access to the largest golf complex in Turkey (45 holes in total) and features its own private bridge to the beach.

The Pines is the tougher of the two courses at Sueno, measuring over 7,000 yards and featuring rugged fairways sculpted through a dense forest. It offers a “wild” feel compared to the more manicured resort courses nearby. The only way to do it right is by staying at the Sueno Hotels Golf Belek, a dedicated “golfers-only” hotel where you can literally walk from your breakfast table to the first tee in seconds.

Formerly known as Titanic Golf Club, this newly renovated course runs along the Besgoz River and the Mediterranean Sea, offering spectacular views and a unique layout where the water is always a factor. You should stay at the Cullinan Belek, a brand-new, ultra-luxury resort on-site that features a high-end beach club, world-class dining, and some of the most modern suites in the Antalya region.

The Montgomerie Maxx Royal in Belek is consistently regarded as one of the finest courses in the country, a demanding layout with excellent conditioning that holds its own against anything in mainland Europe. The Cornelia Diamond Golf Club is another standout, a Nick Faldo design that rewards strategic thinking and offers a memorable round. Gloria Golf Resort has two well-regarded courses, the Old and New courses, both popular with visiting groups. Sueno Golf Club, home to both the Dunes and Pines courses, is another name that comes up regularly among golfers who know the region. Beyond Belek, Klassis Golf and Country Club near Istanbul offers a quality urban escape. The standard across Belek as a whole is high, and even courses that don’t make the headline lists tend to be well-maintained and enjoyable to play.

Direct flights from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Edinburgh all serve Antalya, which is the main gateway for Belek. Flight time is around three to three and a half hours. The drive or transfer from Antalya Airport to the Belek resort belt takes around 30 minutes, and most packages include airport transfers. Car hire is an option if you want flexibility, but given that most Belek resorts are clustered quite closely together, many golfers find transfers and taxis entirely sufficient for getting between courses.

April, May, October and November offer the most balanced combination of playing conditions, comfortable temperatures and reasonable pricing. Spring brings green, well-conditioned courses and temperatures that are warm without being punishing. Autumn sees quieter resorts, lower rates and a sea that’s still warm enough to swim in. July and August are manageable with early morning tee times but the midday heat makes afternoon golf uncomfortable. Winter golf is possible and very well-priced, with most Belek courses staying open through the cooler months. The course conditions during winter are perfectly acceptable, and for golfers who don’t need beach weather alongside their rounds it can be a fantastic time to go.

The combination of course quality and price is the most obvious differentiator. You’ll generally pay less in Turkey for a comparable standard of golf and accommodation than you would in the Algarve or Costa del Sol. The courses in Belek have a distinctive character too, many of them routed through coastal pine forests with the mountains visible in the distance, which gives them a feel quite different from the more open parkland or clifftop designs common in Iberia. The hospitality is genuinely warm and the all-inclusive model, which can feel a bit formulaic elsewhere, works particularly well in Turkey where the resorts have invested heavily in quality. The added dimension of Turkish culture, history and cuisine also gives the destination more depth for travellers who want more than just golf.