When it comes to golf breaks away from the UK, there is a new destination that is rapidly becoming highly regarded for European golf holidays - Turkey. With its Mediterranean climate, beautiful coastline and a rapidly growing selection of top quality golf courses, it is hoping to become a genuine competitor with more established destinations such as the Algarve in Portugal.
The majority of the courses are concentrated in and around the resort of Belek, which has been consciously crafted to create a modern day golfers paradise. Located close to glorious beaches in some truly magnificent natural surroundings, this is one of the most visually striking golf resorts in the world, and has won awards for its integration of the golf courses with the natural beauty of the Turkish coastline. But there is more than just good views to a golf break in Turkey - the courses are designed by some of the world's best, and many of them present a tough challenge to even the most skilled golfers.
Only time will tell whether the Turkish bid to become "the new Algarve" will find success, but if you do decide to head out for a golf holiday in Turkey, here are five of the finest courses to enjoy...
Antalya Golf Club
Antalya Golf Club is one of Turkey's finest. It features two golf courses - the Sultan and The Pascha - and perilous water hazards dominate both courses. They demand careful play and precise drives, but a golfer who takes up the challenge here will be rewarded with stunning views and a very pleasurable round of golf.
Gloria
Much like the Antalya Golf Club, the Gloria actually contains two outstanding courses for a golf break in Turkey. The Gloria Old is a nine hole academy course running through beautiful pine forests that is a superb place to polish up your game, while Gloria New is a tough and intricate course that might be the best in the country.
Cornelia Golf Club
A particular favourite for more experienced players on a golf holiday in Turkey, the Cornelia Golf Club was designed by Nick Faldo and offers three different 18 hole combinations - the King, Queen and Prince courses. It can be ferociously challenging, but if you can master the course it is a true joy to play.
Lykia Links
Golf courses in Turkey tend to be either parkland courses (such as the Cornelia) or peppered with water hazards (such as the two courses at the Antalya Golf Club), and the Lykia Links is the first true links course in the country, designed by Pete Dye. Golfers here can enjoy the stunning coastal vistas, though the good views come at a price; the unpredictable Mediterranean winds can ramp up the difficulty of this course, but the challenge is part of the experience at Lykia Links.
National Golf Club
The National Golf Club was the first international standard golf course in Turkey, and it still retains its status as one of the finer courses in the country. The beautiful course is a joy to play, and the attached PGA Academy offers expert tuition and practice for players looking to improve their game while on a golf break in Turkey.
Morgan Clarke is the Managing Director of GolfPlanet Holidays, a company that has been providing bespoke golf holidays worldwide for over 25 years. The award-winning specialist tour operator is privately-owned and determined to ensure that both experienced golfers and novices can enjoy unforgettable golf holidays in Turkey.
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