Golf in Turkey

Golf, a developed branch of sports in western countries, in which high-income groups take a greater interest, has recently begun to spread and to be popular across the world. Our country has suitable conditions for this sport. The availability of large space suitable for golf, and the temperate climate of the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, create a great potential for Golf Tourism. Studies show that there are approximately 37 million golfers in the world and that the number of people playing golf in Europe grows by about 20% a year. Considering that most of the people who are interested in this sport tend to visit the golf courses of other countries as well, our country may be visited by a large number of golfers in the near future.

Cross Golf
Different rituals, same spirit It seems impossible that after 500 years since golf was invented, such a complementary game could be reinvented. Although Cross Golf emulates the traditional game, it can actually be a more enjoyable and tactical one than the original.

It’s really a revolutionary take on golf. Cross Golf is a game in which, with a conventional but brightly coloured golf ball, you shoot for a goal rather than a hole. Cross Golf is a different matter entirely from the regular game. In it, the atmosphere is much more light-hearted, there is no “dress code” and the aim is to hit your ball into a net. You use the same set of clubs as in golf, minus the putters. Whether you are a regular golfer or a novice at the game, you are guaranteed to have a lot of fun. It's simple and very sociable and you might even improve your regular golf game! It's a game anybody can play, at any age or standard.

Cross Golf dispenses with manicured lawns, sandy bunkers, a strict dress code and regulations and makes for a more adventurous game. In this new golf game, the bush and fields are the fairways and fairy chimneys, cliffs, trees and grape vines are the obstacles to navigate. Cross Golf takes young and old on an energetic walk through Turkey's most famous national park, so recognised by UNESCO.

Cross Golf in Cappadocia may be played from April 1st to October 15th.

How to Play?

Cappadocia Cross Golf is played over a course just like golf, using the same clubs, same ball and the same basic rules, only a few things are different, like for example the shape of the target. Cross Golf is an aerial game with a target that's raised above the terrain.

Golf's round hole, set in the ground to receive the rolling ball, is replaced by a new shape, a goal suspended in mid-air to trap the flying ball. The goals, which you are targeting, are positioned in an area fairly similar in size and style to golf greens, which are called "Yards", these can be of various shapes and sizes and are marked out with pegs round each goal.

Apart from a target that requires you to have a good relationship with your wedge, golfers say that Cross Golf is exciting to play because it encourages you to take risks. With golf you don't go for the hole from 50 yards out and expect to get it in. It's just too small for that. You chip on and expect to get close so that you can hole out in two putts. But with Cross Golf, because the target is so much bigger, there's a greater chance that you can goal out from that distance.

Turkey Golf Links

Turkey Golf Courses are reputed to be some of the best Golf Courses in the world. Turkey has made a huge investment into Golf in Turkey particularly in Belek which enjoys over 10 PGA Golf courses and which has been home to the 2009 Renault EPD Tour with all matches based in Belek.

Carya Golf Club, Belek
Carya Golf Club, a heathland inspired golf course on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, opened for play in November 2008. Designed by Thomson Perrett & Lobb, the international golf course architecture practice founded by five times Open Champion Peter Thomson, Carya Golf Club is a striking and naturally beautiful golf course set on undulating sand hills in Belek, near Antalya.

Cornelia Golf Club (Nick Faldo)
Belek Golf Club

Klassis Golf and Country, Istanbul
The course was designed by one of the world’s best golf players, Tony Jacklin, and has hosted the European Challenge Tour in 1997 and 1998, and the BEKO Seniors PGA Tour in 1999.

Lykia Golf Club
Antalya Golf Club

National Golf Club
Belek Golf Club

TAT Golf Club
Belek Golf Club

The Antalya Golf club
Two 18 hole courses - The Sultan & The Pasha

The Montgomerie, Belek
The Montgomerie Course at Papillon Golf Club is located in the Belek region of Turkey, 30 km to the east of Antalya on the Turkish Mediterranean coast: an area chosen for its outstanding natural beaty and fabulous climate.