Antalya (PGA Sultan) - Turkey

Business seems to be booming once again in Belek with hotels and golf courses running near to full capacity. It's not difficult to see why, as we experienced high quality golf, all-inclusive 5-star accommodation and superb value for money throughout our trip. Our group stayed at the excellent Sirene Hotel, which is situated a few hundred yards from the clubhouse and belongs to the same group which owns the Sultan and Pasha courses.

There are so many great layouts to choose from locally but it's the Sultan course at PGA National Antalya that offers the toughest test. Even a few big name tour players found it to be a brute from the back tees but with some careful tee selection, this is quite possibly the most exciting course in the region. With two very different courses to play, literally acres of water to negotiate and some pretty intimidating bunkers to avoid, this is resort golf at its very best. As many as eleven holes have water in play but a combination of wonderful conditioning and fast undulating greens will hopefully distract you from the inevitable lost ball or three.

The front nine is solid throughout and culminates with two particularly strong holes. The par-3 eighth requires a courageous shot of around 190 yards to reach a green protected by three separate water hazards and the tricky ninth is a real beauty with water running the full length of the hole before jutting in front of the green to significantly toughen up the approach.

As good as the front half is, the back nine is even better. A fine run of par-4's get us away, the twelfth with a beautiful downhill approach to an angled green sat between lakes probably being the pick. Attractively designed and well-positioned bunkers are a constant threat throughout these holes. We leave two of the best till last with water interfering on all three (or more)shots approaching the tricky sixteenth and more water left and right on the memorable eighteenth to make this a very tough finale indeed. It's a destination that I would happily return to again and again. Brian W

I was taken aback a few months ago when I saw that Turkey occupied six of the top thirteen places in Golf World’s inaugural Top 100 Golf Resorts of Continental Europe listings, with Antalya ranked at number 7. After my recent trip to Belek, I now understand why these golf facilities are rated so highly.

The PGA Sultan course doesn’t have a great tournament track record – apart from a couple of very high profile amateur and professional events played within a week of each other back in 2012 – but this is a big, expansive layout that’s more than capable of hosting major golf competitions.

It doesn’t take long to see why it’s currently ranked just outside the Top 50 of Continental Europe because the par three 2nd is a wonderful short hole, played slightly downhill to a green that’s beautifully framed on three sides by umbrella pine trees – no wonder it’s called “Surrounded”.

I really liked the par four 5th (originally called “Sea View” but a hotel now obscures the field of vision behind the hole) and it plays from an elevated tee before dropping steadily down to the green. The par five 7th is another terrific hole on the front nine, even though it’s a little tight off the tee before the fairway then doglegs right and down to the green.

There’s only one par three on the inward half (at the 17th) and it’s easily the blandest hole on that nine, which was a bit of a disappointment. Six demanding par fours between the 10th and 15th define the main challenge, despite the fact that the par five 15th is probably the best hole, with water featuring all the way down the right before a creek then slashes across the fairway in front of the green.

According to the course guide, the PGA Sultan slope rating from the back tees is 142, which gives a fair idea of just how tough a track this can be. I can understand why people come back here every year because there’s quality everywhere you look around, both on and off the course, but if it’s resort golf you’re looking to play then I suggest you go elsewhere as this is a course for serious golfers.

Jim McCann

This was the 3rd year in a row we played here. Everyone really enjoyed it (again). Great condition and we were not held up or pressed all the way round. Lovely set up with a variety of different holes, plenty of water and tree lined fairways. Greens were in great condition. Best in Belek along with the Lykia.

I played here in May 2014 (as well as Carya, and I honestly preferred Carya). This course was in good shape, but at a cost of 130 Euros (and all the previous reviews), I really expected to be wowed by the course, but was disappointed. It feels like each 9 holes was designed by a different person. The front 9 barely has a hole that isn't dead straight, and whilst the holes rise a bit and fall a bit and have some water to contend with, I thought it was pretty boring golf architecture. The back 9 has much better holes, with a bit of shape and interest. The conditioning was good and I'm sure it sits well within an overall golfing schedule when playing all of the other courses in the area, should you choose to head to Belek for a golfing holiday.

What a golf course !!!, I used a pervious review to choose this course and i am so glad I did one of the best courses I have played , it has great true greens, tigh tree lined holes and a great use of water and bunker hazards. If you are deciding to play either the national,cornelia, Gloria, the sultan wins hands down in my book .

We've played Sultan for over 3yrs. Every time in Belek it is on our list plus "the other courses". Sultan is challenging but comfortable and the greens and fairways are always kept in top shape - winter and summer. Range facilites are very good, the atmosphere is peaceful, away from the busy road. Definetly a course that will not let down your expecation of a good golf course. For me it is the best in Belek. As well as Monti. (March 12)

I played the Sultan and it was in great shape when I went round early in the morning of 06.05.12. I’m a 7 handicap and played off the blacks which was approx. 7,200 yards. Really well presented and no really mickey mouse holes. What you see is what you get, a lovely golf course that you know not many hackers will come round and destroy. Good choice to play if you are a low to mid handicap. Top tip. Buy your golf balls at the Golf USA discount store in Belek. 10 nearly new pro VI s for $15 rather than 12 new pro VI for $72 at most of the club pro shops including this one! very expensive pro shops in Turkey. Apart from that Belek golf is brilliant!

This is a great coures with two very differant 9's the front 9 has a links feel to it & is a little more open from the tee but you still have to be careful as water comes into play on a few holes, then you come to the back 9 which like most courses in Turkey is tree lined.The bunkering is really good and to score well you need to be on your game. the 16th is a great par 5 with water in play for your tee shot & 2nd & 3rd shot! & the last hole is just stunning with the club house in the back ground of the green & framed by the mountains which you can see off most tees all in all this is a great place to play if you are in Turkey playing then don't miss the chance to tee it up at this place.

This course is quality! First time to Belek and it far surpasses both Spain and Portugal. We played Carya, National, Faldo, Pasha and Sultan. Sultan is by far the best layout and condition. If you are going to Belek, do not miss this - it is superb.

A great golf course, would place it well up in my top ten. Wide variety of interesting holes and every club in the bag will be required. The back nine is as good as it gets. Some of the best greens that I have putted on.