Turkey has rapidly risen to become one of Europe’s top golf destinations, thanks to the luxury resorts of Belek, world-class course designs, and an impressive climate that allows for year-round play. From coastal layouts framed by pine forests to modern, tour-calibre challenges, Turkey offers a golf experience that’s both elegant and exciting.
But what if you could hand-pick the best holes from across the country and create the ultimate Turkish golf course? A layout that captures the essence of Turkish golf—with its flair for hospitality, its natural beauty, and its championship pedigree. This 18-hole journey brings together Turkey’s most iconic and enjoyable holes, not just in order of appearance, but in a way that flows with the strategy, pacing, and diversity every great course needs.
Why Turkey Is Ideal for a Fantasy Golf Course
The Belek region, on the southern coast near Antalya, is home to a concentration of elite golf courses, most of them attached to five-star, all-inclusive resorts. Designs by legends like Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie, and David Jones sit alongside visually stunning, nature-integrated layouts that have hosted European Tour and Challenge Tour events.
With lush fairways, mountain backdrops, pristine beaches, and meticulously manicured courses, Turkey gives us all the ingredients needed to create a balanced, exciting and scenic dream layout.
The Ultimate Turkish Golf Course: 18 Holes of Perfection
Here’s our fantasy course—crafted for flow and variety, with a thoughtful blend of par-3s, par-4s, and par-5s that ensures both challenge and enjoyment across 18 glorious holes.
Opening Hole – Carya Golf Club (1st Hole)
A wide, generous par-4 to ease you into the round. Carya’s first hole is welcoming yet strategic, winding through heather-lined fairways in the style of a British heathland course.
Strategic Par-5 – Titanic Golf Club (12th Hole)
An early scoring opportunity, this reachable par-5 rewards boldness but punishes wayward shots with water hazards and mounding. A great example of Belek’s natural shaping.
Showpiece Par-3 – Lykia Links (17th Hole)
Arguably the most dramatic par-3 in Turkey, this links-style hole is perched above the Mediterranean with unforgiving crosswinds, deep bunkers, and a stunning backdrop.
Tough Par-4 – Montgomerie Maxx Royal (5th Hole)
A beast of a hole from the former Turkish Airlines Open venue. Doglegging left around water with tight landing zones, it’s one of the most demanding tee shots in Turkey.
Quirky Par-4 – Sueno Pines (13th Hole)
This short par-4 offers a risk-reward setup, with trees encroaching on both sides and a narrow green protected by deep bunkers. It tests both power and restraint.
Resort-Friendly Par-3 – Gloria New Course (17th Hole)
Surrounded by water on three sides, this island-style par-3 is a photographer’s dream. It’s short but tricky, and one of the most popular holes in the region.
Heroic Par-5 – Regnum Carya (13th Hole)
A winding, uphill par-5 with bunkers framing every landing area. The final approach is elevated and dramatic—perfect for late-round pressure in matchplay or medal.
Classic Par-4 – Cornelia Faldo King Course (6th Hole)
Designed by Sir Nick Faldo, this hole represents classic tournament design—with layered fairways, forced carries, and a three-tier green. A strategic masterpiece.
Challenging Par-4 – National Golf Club (9th Hole)
One of the oldest and most respected courses in Belek, the National delivers a tight, tree-lined par-4 with a semi-blind tee shot and a deep, narrow green.
Short Par-3 – Kaya Palazzo (4th Hole)
A beautiful little hole over water, this mid-iron par-3 is framed by palm trees and perfect landscaping. A moment of calm before the back nine builds intensity.
Par-5 with Bite – Montgomerie Maxx Royal (12th Hole)
A winding monster par-5 that played a key role during the Turkish Airlines Open. With water guarding the lay-up and green, it’s all about decision-making and execution.
Beautiful Par-4 – Gloria Old Course (2nd Hole)
Lined with tall pines and backed by the Taurus Mountains, this hole is pure Belek charm. A right-to-left shape encourages a sweeping draw off the tee.
Tricky Par-4 – Sueno Dunes (11th Hole)
Short but deceptive, this hole features tight bunkering, subtle doglegs, and a tiny green. Easy on the scorecard but tough on precision.
Stunning Par-3 – Lykia Links (7th Hole)
Playing from an elevated tee down toward the coast, this is links golf at its finest, with firm turf, open skies, and a steady breeze off the water.
Memorable Par-5 – Cornelia Prince Course (9th Hole)
With split fairways and dramatic bunkering, this hole allows multiple strategies off the tee and into the green. A thinking golfer’s par-5, and perfect as we near the end.
Long Par-4 – Carya Golf Club (16th Hole)
Tough but fair, this tree-lined hole narrows as it approaches the green, with a subtle slope that can repel even the best-struck approaches. A late-round challenge.
Closing Hole – Montgomerie Maxx Royal (18th Hole)
One of the best finishing holes in Europe. A long par-4 with water left and an amphitheatre green near the clubhouse. Drama guaranteed, and a fitting end to the round.
The Flow of the Course
- Par Breakdown: 4 par-3s, 10 par-4s, 4 par-5s
- Front Nine: Starts forgiving (Carya), builds mid-round challenge (Montgomerie, Cornelia), and finishes with a picturesque island par-3.
- Back Nine: Begins with a bang (Carya 13, Faldo 6), weaves in scoring chances (Gloria Old, Sueno Dunes), and builds to a final crescendo at Montgomerie 18.
- Pacing: A mix of technical holes, resort-friendly par-3s, and decision-driven par-5s keeps golfers engaged throughout.
The Best of Turkish Golf, All in One Round
This fantasy layout captures everything that makes Turkey such a unique and enjoyable golf destination—spectacular views, luxurious settings, clever design, and holes that reward both strategy and flair. It reflects the country’s evolution into a must-play golfing nation, especially for those looking to blend top-quality golf with five-star hospitality.
Plan Your Own Turkish Golf Adventure
While you can’t play this exact combination in one round, you can play every one of these holes. From Lykia’s windswept links to Carya’s pine-framed perfection, each stop on this fantasy tour is real—and ready to welcome you with Turkish warmth and excellence.
Ready to take on Turkey’s ultimate golf challenge? Start planning your trip to Belek and beyond, and tick off each of these iconic holes as you create your own perfect round.
