GOLF ESCAPES

FOCUS ON
Belek, Turkey
The new big hitter of European golf shows no sign of slowing down. Quite the opposite in fact...
If only there were more direct flights to
Antalya, it’d be perfect” – that was the
familiar refrain heard when someone
was asked for their appraisal of a golf
break in Belek. There was some substance to
the point; while Antalya airport is barely 45
minutes from the golfing riches in Belek,
getting to Antalya was a bit annoying.
There were some direct flights, notably a
regular low-cost service from Gatwick, but
otherwise you had to go via Istanbul.
Even with a slick change, it still meant a
bit more time and a good deal more hassle.
Now the picture is very different, with lots
of direct flights to Antalya from all over
Britain… and at very reasonable prices.
We can speculate as to why it took so long
– no doubt the politics and negotiation of air
travel are complicated – but golfers can
ignore the reasons for the delay and just
enjoy the fact golf with the sun on our backs
every month of the year is now little more
than four hours away from many airports.
Just as importantly, it is not expensive either;
flights with low-cost airlines from regional
airports such as Glasgow and Leeds-
Bradford can come in at £300.
It is just one more reason why a golf break
in Turkey is one of the most affordable
around. And the remarkable thing is, the
quality you enjoy is staggering. So while you
can find a golf break in Belek – either
through a tour operator or direct – for £600,
A hole YoU
WoUlD RelISh...
Lykia Links
13th, par 5, 595 yards
This tremendous par 5 takes you down to
the shore before you turn and play the
beach-side stretch for which Lykia is
famous (pictured). It is a fine hole
in its own right though, but
can really bite.