Lykia Links – Mediterranean Links-Style Golf Near Belek

On Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, golfers will find a true rarity: The Lykia Links Course is an authentic links course right on the sea—something one would hardly expect in this location. The course was designed by Perry Dye, the eldest son of legendary golf architects Pete and Alice Dye.

Although olive trees and Mediterranean vegetation constantly remind players of the course’s Mediterranean setting, the course offers the character and sporting challenges of traditional courses in Great Britain or Ireland. After a period of decline in the mid-2010s, the course has been in excellent condition again since 2019 and, together with the adjacent Golf Hotel at Lykia World, is returning to its former glory.

With five tees per hole, the total length of the Par-72 course ranges from 4,363 to 6,284 meters, though the constant wind significantly influences the choice of the appropriate tee. Typical of Perry Dye’s design are massive Bunkers, whose edges are bordered in a star shape by railroad ties.

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Front Nine: Railroad ties and the lake duo on holes 7 and 8

Right from the start, a long par-4 with deep Bunkers in the landing zone demands full concentration. This is followed by varied holes, such as the short, S-shaped par-5 on the 2nd hole or the par-3 on the 4th hole with a beautiful view of the ocean.

A visual highlight of the first half of the round is the seventh hole: This par-4, which is a maximum of 307 meters long, curves along the shore of the course’s only lake and requires tactical restraint from the Tee due to deeply staggered Bunkers. Directly across the lake, Hole 8 is a short Par-3 shot over the water, measuring up to 160 meters. Unlike traditional links courses, the front nine ends at Hole 9 near the clubhouse.

Back Nine: The Blind Tee Shot and the Dogleg Spectacle on the 13th

The back nine continue the challenging round. On the 10th hole, six distinctive Bunkers await in the landing zone, while the 12th hole surprises players with a blind tee shot over a classic marker post, before the terrain slopes downhill toward a green defended by Bunkers.

Hole 13 is considered the course’s most difficult hole—a Par-5 stretching up to 494 meters with a slight dogleg to the right. The heavily undulating Fairway leads to frequent lies at an angle and is flanked by numerous Bunkers all the way to the green. After a massive waste area on the 14th hole and a tricky par-3 on the 15th, the 17th hole is another highlight: the formerly long par-3 has been redesigned into a short, curved par-4. The final hole runs slightly downhill in classic “Homeward Bound” style toward the hotel and clubhouse complex.

A perfect finish with a view of the Mediterranean

With its heavily undulating Fairways, strategic Bunkers, and shifting Mediterranean winds, the Lykia Links Course demands a well-thought-out game on every hole. After the final Putt, the clubhouse terrace offers the ideal spot to cool off and wind down the round in a relaxed atmosphere.