Turkey
If you’ve not yet been to Belek, this is why thousands of golfers are going back year after year…
The next chapter of the Belek story is going to be an interesting one. So far, it has been a story of nothing but exciting, unprecedented progress – but now it is an established destination, differing rules apply. Now, it is expected to be good. It is no longer the new kid on the block, where allowances were quite rightly made for things being a little raw. Belek is there to be judged in exactly the same way that traditional giants Portugal and Spain are. For anyone who has been to Belek, whether the area continues to thrive will probably not be a difficult conundrum to solve, because anyone who has been will know it has the raw materials to be a continuing success. In no particular order, this is why Belek will continue to remain one of the most appealing destinations in the world for a golf holiday.
It’s the weather, stupid
A very obvious starting point, but this is indisputably one of the key attractions of Belek. Anyone who plays down the excellence of the southern Turkey climate is either misinformed or envious. Along with Cyprus, the Canaries and the Algarve, it is the short haul destination that offers winter sunshine. You can head there in November or March confident you will be greeted by some sunshine during your week away and if nothing else it will be mild even if it is not blazing with sunshine. From April to October you will lap up guaranteed sun with May-September within that period being usually absolutely sizzling swimming pool weather.
Top 100 courses
The Belek revolution began with National and you’d think the first course might end up being an after thought once the locals got the hang of it. In fact, National is really good and an excellent representation of the serious depth to Belek’s courses. It’s in our Top 200 in Continental Europe, along with the classy Old at Gloria and Antalya’s highly enjoyable Pasha. Four of Belek’s courses are in the Top 100 proper, which is a tremendous achievement given golf was unheard of here until 1994. The top-ranked course is Lykia Links, which is a Perry Dye esign located 25 minutes’ drive along the coast (as the crow flies it is five minutes away but an inlet of water has to be negotiated in a car). It is worth the journey. While not being a links in the sense we in GB&I understand it, it is unquestionably one of the most distinctive courses in Europe. Don’t go to Belek and not play it. National was the first course built, but it’s been PGA Sultan that has spearheaded the revolution, both in terms of marketing itself to British olfers and also in luring the world’s top stars to its fairways. It was the Sultan that first hosted Tiger and Rory and put Belek on the golfing map. Very possibly the best-conditioned course in the area, it is a stringent test between woodland and water – a proper championship test and a must play. Carya is a Peter Thomson design with echoes of Surrey heathlands. You’ve heard that kind of talk before and it usually disappoints but Carya is the real deal and hosts the European Tour this year. Cornelia is an intriguing Sir Nick Faldo project that offers quirkiness as well as a test while the newcomer to the 2015 Top 100 was Montgomerie Maxx, a now familiar host of the European Tour.
Leave the strain at home
If, for you, one of the key elements of a golf break is a lack of hassle, you’ll love Belek. Nowhere do you have fewer worries than here. It now starts with getting there, which is a lot easier as a result of direct flights to Antalya airport. From there Belek is just 30 minutes away. Once there, the only journey that will take you more than 10 minutes is the recommended trip out to Lykia. And these trips will be undertaken in a cheap taxi or your pre-paid transfer bus. Apart from keeping the group’s timekeeping in check, there is absolutely nothing to get stressed about. Returning to everyday life is a challenge after a week in stress-free Belek. It’s the economy, stupid In this year of EU referendum chat, the last thing anyone wants to read is a weighing up of the merits of centralised government. This is just as well as we have no idea whether Brussels bureaucrats are worth their expense accounts. What we do have a good handle on is the effect not being in the euro has on the attractiveness of a golf break in Belek. Let’s just say it is positive, and one of the key reasons why the resorts can offer value for money that is bewildering verging on ludicrous. Rounds of golf, your transfers, all your food, all your drinks and five-star hotels – for the kind of sums it costs to have three days away and play a few of our best links.
All inclusive heaven
In short, you know what it is going to cost you; stump up for the holiday before you go and then unless you lose too many balls in PGA Sultan’s lakes, you will struggle to actually spend any money when you’re away. No eye-watering bills after a brilliant meal and an hilarious night. All you’ve got to show from those in Belek is a fuzzy head the next day. And while the help-yourself nature of all inclusive is not for everyone, the choice of food at Belek’s premium five-star hotels is tremendous. Even the fussiest eater will find something they like!
Travel essentials
THE CLIMATE Belek is typically Mediterranean with hot summers and mild winters.
WHEN TO GO April to June and September to November are the best – in terms of climate – for golfers.
GETTING THERE Turkish Airlines operate flights to Antalya from various UK airports.
CURRENCY Euros
TIME GMT+2