While Turkey has a long way to go to establish the range and breadth of golfing options offered in countries such as Spain and Portugal, there is evidence that the country is now emerging as Europe�s hottest new golf destination.
Year round fine weather, quality golf resorts, and a range of spectacular natural attractions and fascinating ancient buildings to explore, all combine to guarantee a memorable holiday experience. A March 2009 survey of British tourists, that were planning summer holidays, put Turkey into the list of top ten destinations, up there with several favourite Spanish resorts.
The most accessible and predominant golfing centre is Belek, 35 km from Antalya Airport, in southwest Turkey. Here there are 15 championship courses, many of them set on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, with the famed Taurus Mountains as a backdrop.
Generally, hotels and golf courses are conjoined, so be sure to organise your accommodation and golf requirements in the one package. And if you wish to play on more than one course, shuttle buses join most of the hotels and courses.
One of Belek�s most popular courses is the Cornelia, designed by Nick Faldo, with three loops of nine holes providing different 18 hole playing options. Umbrella pines line the fairways, and there are doglegs and small hills to negotiate, but a series of great vantage points will leave you with a memorable impression of your time here.
The National, Belek�s first course, established in 1994, also provides a scenic golfing experience, with its mountainous backdrop and sculptured fairways dotted with serene lakes. The terrace of the English style clubhouse, with its panoramic views, is the perfect place for refreshments at sunset.
The Antalya Golf Club offers two courses, the Sultan and the Pasha, with conditions that suit both low and high handicappers. The longer course, the Sultan, is known for its integration with the pine and eucalypt woods, and excellent practice facilities, while the Pasha has generous fairways, well placed bunkers, and putting and chipping greens.
Opened in November 2008, and located on the coast, Lykia has a challenging links format with a variety of hazards. The dramatic four coastline holes require accurate hitting, as does the water hazard between holes 7 and 8. Another new course, Carya, has a free flowing heathland layout, set among pine and eucalyptus trees. The two storey driving range has 22 bays and two teaching studios.
The newest Turkish golf hotspot, 450 km to the west of Antalya, is the Aegean resort area of the Bodrum Peninsula, which now has several courses, and at least four more on the drawing board. Bodrum, the first club to open on the Peninsula, has a 5 hole course, driving range, a practice putting area, chipping area and bunkers.
Also on the peninsular, and set on the shores of splendid Lake Tuzla, near Gulluk, is the up market Vita Park, with two 18 hole courses, one in the Scottish style by the lake, and the other created in the Arizona style, following the contours of the surrounding hills.
Mark Scriven, marketing expert and author, writes articles on the travel trade. http://www.BillGoff.com have been offering high quality golf holidays in Turkey since 1970.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
The Lisbon Coast A Quieter Alternative to Algarve Golf Holidays?
The Lisbon Coast, in central Portugal, is one of the country�s three main golfing regions. As with golfing in the other Portuguese golf regions � Algarve and the island of Madeira � a round on one of the fine old Lisbon courses, such as the prestigious Estoril, is a quite a unique experience.
And the city�s superb shopping, charming architecture and fascinating museums provide a superb sightseeing opportunity, as well as the chance to experience the delicious local cuisine at some of Portugal�s top restaurants.
But you should be aware, that when you take into account Lisbon�s vibrant nightlife, and entertainment scene, the Portuguese capital may not be a quieter alternative to the Algarve. Checking out the caf�s of Chiado, before dining in the Bairro Alto quarter will take up most of your spare time after hours.
They are the epicentre of the city s bar scene and where most of the night time action takes place. And on off days, you can explore the small coastal fishing villages, hike in the mountain forests, or visit vineyards.
There are more than 20 courses around the city of Lisbon, and in 2006 the city was voted Europe s best golf destination by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators. You could start your tour of the region with a round at the famed Estoril, which regularly hosts the Portuguese Open; here the forest clad par 69 course features a particularly challenging 184 metre 16th hole.
The clubhouse has panoramic views of the Atlantic, and its restaurant is highly recommended. Europe�s first Audubon International Certified Signature Sanctuary/Gold course, the challenging Quinta da Marinha, is located at Cascais, 25km from Lisbon. The star hole here is the par 4 13th, which runs down to the sea.
The Lisbon Sports Club, which dates to 1880, has for the past 45 years been based in Belas, 15 km from Lisbon. Set in cypress and eucalypt woods, there are several streams and bunkers to negotiate on your rounds before you finally relax in the colonial clubhouse with its panoramic views of the 5th and 18th fairways.
Another course with a past association is Penha Longa Atl�ntico, set in the wooded grounds of a 14th century monastery. This very difficult par 72 course has the added handicap of occasional strong winds, as well as water hazards.
The adjacent Penha Longa Mosteiro, a 9 hole, par 35 course constructed to the highest standards, surrounds the historic monastery grounds and Penha Longa Palace, and is backed by the stunning Sintra mountain range. Less demanding than its neighbour, this dramatic and beautiful course has it all � scenery, variety, challenge, and historic surroundings.
Set in the Carregueira Mountains, the Belas Clube de Campos course you�ll find shelter from the winds along the fairways that run through valleys lined with native vegetation. The difficult par 5 second hole, Augusta, named after the 13th hole at the US course, is worth taking time over, while the second shot of the final hole requires a drive of 180 metres to make the green, which is guarded by a significant water feature.
Mark Scriven, marketing expert and author, writes articles on the travel trade. http://www.4Golf.com offers the best value golf holidays on both the Lisbon Coast and in the Algarve, Portugal.
And the city�s superb shopping, charming architecture and fascinating museums provide a superb sightseeing opportunity, as well as the chance to experience the delicious local cuisine at some of Portugal�s top restaurants.
But you should be aware, that when you take into account Lisbon�s vibrant nightlife, and entertainment scene, the Portuguese capital may not be a quieter alternative to the Algarve. Checking out the caf�s of Chiado, before dining in the Bairro Alto quarter will take up most of your spare time after hours.
They are the epicentre of the city s bar scene and where most of the night time action takes place. And on off days, you can explore the small coastal fishing villages, hike in the mountain forests, or visit vineyards.
There are more than 20 courses around the city of Lisbon, and in 2006 the city was voted Europe s best golf destination by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators. You could start your tour of the region with a round at the famed Estoril, which regularly hosts the Portuguese Open; here the forest clad par 69 course features a particularly challenging 184 metre 16th hole.
The clubhouse has panoramic views of the Atlantic, and its restaurant is highly recommended. Europe�s first Audubon International Certified Signature Sanctuary/Gold course, the challenging Quinta da Marinha, is located at Cascais, 25km from Lisbon. The star hole here is the par 4 13th, which runs down to the sea.
The Lisbon Sports Club, which dates to 1880, has for the past 45 years been based in Belas, 15 km from Lisbon. Set in cypress and eucalypt woods, there are several streams and bunkers to negotiate on your rounds before you finally relax in the colonial clubhouse with its panoramic views of the 5th and 18th fairways.
Another course with a past association is Penha Longa Atl�ntico, set in the wooded grounds of a 14th century monastery. This very difficult par 72 course has the added handicap of occasional strong winds, as well as water hazards.
The adjacent Penha Longa Mosteiro, a 9 hole, par 35 course constructed to the highest standards, surrounds the historic monastery grounds and Penha Longa Palace, and is backed by the stunning Sintra mountain range. Less demanding than its neighbour, this dramatic and beautiful course has it all � scenery, variety, challenge, and historic surroundings.
Set in the Carregueira Mountains, the Belas Clube de Campos course you�ll find shelter from the winds along the fairways that run through valleys lined with native vegetation. The difficult par 5 second hole, Augusta, named after the 13th hole at the US course, is worth taking time over, while the second shot of the final hole requires a drive of 180 metres to make the green, which is guarded by a significant water feature.
Mark Scriven, marketing expert and author, writes articles on the travel trade. http://www.4Golf.com offers the best value golf holidays on both the Lisbon Coast and in the Algarve, Portugal.
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