The Dalaman Golf Club To Herald New Era For Golf In Türkiye

It was just over 30 years ago that the first golf club in the famous region of Belek opened.

Relatively unknown at the time as a golfing destination, the launch of The National Golf Club in 1994 provided the catalyst for a new wave of golf courses and resorts that have helped to transform Türkiye into one of Europe’s most popular countries for an overseas golf break.

It’s hard to ignore the importance of golf now to Türkiye’s economy and its tourism industry. With the promise of cloudless skies, a large selection of world-class championship courses and an impressive choice of accommodation, there’s so much to recommend and like for travelling golfers seeking a sunshine break.

Players from all over the UK, Europe and beyond regularly head to this corner of the continent for their annual golfing fix and, from the end of next month, they will have an exciting new reason to book a trip to Türkiye with the launch of the first course to open on the country’s stunning Dalaman Coast.

One of the most eagerly anticipated golf design projects to launch in 2026, the wraps will finally be taken off The Dalaman Golf Club on August 30.

The new course at The Dalaman Golf Club has been designed by the International Design Group and created in one of the most ecologically rich areas in southwest Türkiye.

Managed by Hilton Dalaman Sarıgerme Resort & Golf and situated just 20 minutes from Dalaman International Airport, it’s easy to see why people in the golf industry are getting so excited, with the course adding a new string to Türkiye’s expanding golf bow and heralding a new era in golf course architecture for the region and country.

Umit Yasar Atalay, general manager at Hilton Dalaman Sarıgerme Golf Resort, said: “The Dalaman region has been gaining strong momentum as an international tourism destination over the past decade.

"With its natural beauty, world-class hospitality infrastructure and increasing international air connectivity, the region is now ready to expand its tourism offering beyond the traditional summer season.

“Introducing championship golf at this stage is a natural evolution. Golf will help extend the tourism season, attract a new high-value visitor segment and create year-round economic benefits for the destination.

"We believe the timing is ideal to establish Dalaman as Türkiye’s next major golf destination.”

Unique to Türkiye and featuring sweeping uninterrupted views of the Mediterranean, the par-72 course will weave its way through a series of dramatic landscapes amid three distinct zones - the rugged Dunes, the serene Wetlands and the majestic Mountains - offering a test of skill and strategy at every turn.

Measuring 6,152 metres from the back tees (6,728 yards) and constructed on natural sandy soil using the best sustainable practices - excitement is understandably high ahead of the course launch, with the layout promising to take players on an unforgettable journey with elevated tee shots, risk-and-reward holes and classic redan-style greens all featuring in the impressive design.

Water will play a prominent role throughout, with standout holes set to include the 15^th, a par five featuring a 25-metre drop from the tee flanked by a nature reserve on one side of the fairway and a lake on the other.

Complementing the course will be facilities including a 20-bay driving range, with 10 bays featuring TrackMan Range technology, a putting green, a short-game area, a clubhouse, a restaurant, and a halfway house.

Atalay added: “I hope all the people that play leave with the feeling that they have discovered something special and authentic.

"It’s incredibly exciting to think that the opening of the course – the first in the Dalaman region – is now just a matter of weeks away and we can’t wait to showcase everything we have to offer to players from all over Europe.”

One of the most well-preserved natural areas in southwestern Türkiye, the Dalaman region has extensive beaches, rich vegetation, lakes that serve as a stopover for migratory birds and a favourable climate almost year-round, making it the ideal location for an overseas golf break.

Opened in 2009, Hilton Dalaman Sarıgerme Resort & Golf boasts an enviable location on the edge of the Dalaman River, where the Mediterranean and Aegean Sea meet.

Set in 74 acres of landscaped gardens, the family-friendly resort features a total of 550 rooms, suites and luxurious Lake House suites.

Many rooms offer stunning views of the mountains, river or sea, while suites provide added indulgences such as private plunge pools, saunas and spacious terraces. The Lake houses offer an elevated sense of privacy and comfort, with exclusive piers, serene lagoon surroundings and direct access to the water.

Guests can enjoy an “ultra-all-inclusive” concept, with a rich culinary offering across multiple venues - including buffet and à la carte restaurants serving Turkish, Italian, Asian, Indian and Mediterranean cuisine, plus a variety of bars, cafés and snack outlets.

Leisure and wellness facilities include ten pools, two seasonal waterparks, (one for adults and one for children) and a private sandy beach stretching across 650 metres, while The Elysion Spa provides 18 treatment rooms, VIP suites, Turkish bath, multiple saunas, steam rooms, relaxation pool and bespoke wellness rituals.

For more, visit the Hilton Dalaman Sarigeme Resort and Golf website