Gloria Old Course
The course that helped make Belek a golf destination, the Gloria Old Course was the resort's original eighteen and remains its most admired. Michel Gayon carved it through mature pine forest in 1997, weaving seven lakes and his trademark deep bunkers between the trees. Quiet, shaded and strategic, it is the connoisseur's choice on the Turkish Riviera.
Photo: Gloria Golf Club via Google.
The verdict
The Gloria Old Course was among the first to prove that Belek could deliver golf to match its winter sunshine. Opened in September 1997 and designed by the French architect Michel Gayon, it is the original and flagship eighteen at the Gloria Golf Resort, later joined by the New and Verde courses. A par 72 of about 6,492 yards, roughly 5,938 metres, it is not a long course by modern standards, but the pine forest and the water make every shot a question of position and nerve.
Gayon's signature is everywhere, in the deep, steep faced bunkers that guard the corners and the large greens, some around 600 square metres, that demand precise distance control. Seven lakes thread through the routing, the largest a substantial sheet of water, and the mature pines press in to frame tight, shaded corridors. It is a thinking golfer's course, and it anchors the Gloria resort within the densest and best value golf cluster in the eastern Mediterranean.
Gloria Old at a glance
- Opened
- 1997
- Designer
- Michel Gayon
- Type
- Forest parkland
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- 6,492 yds
- Green fee
- From €104
The September 1997 opening, the Michel Gayon design, the par 72, the length of about 6,492 yards, roughly 5,938 metres, the seven lakes and the 63 bunkers verified June 2026 from the resort and course databases. Green fees are indicative, from around 104 euros to about 145 euros for eighteen holes in 2026 depending on season and time. Always confirm directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
The Old Course rewards placement over power from the first tee. The pines stand close to the fairways, so the premium is on finding the short grass and the correct side of it, leaving the best angle into greens that are large but cleverly contoured. Gayon's deep bunkers are the constant threat, cut steep and positioned exactly where the aggressive line tempts you, and escaping them often costs a full shot.
Water is the second great defence, the seven lakes coming into play on a series of the stronger holes and asking for committed carries when the card matters. The large greens look inviting from the fairway but demand exact distance control, since a putt from the wrong tier or the far side can be a genuine three putt risk. This is a course of subtlety and patience rather than brute heroics, which is precisely why good players rate it so highly.
What lingers is the calm of the place, the shade of the pines, the still water and the sense of a course that has matured beautifully in its quarter century. Played as part of a Belek trip, with the resort hotels on the doorstep and warm golf available deep into winter, the Gloria Old Course offers the kind of strategic, well conditioned test that keeps discerning golfers coming back to the Turkish Riviera.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | A resort course open to visitors and Gloria hotel guests; tee times bookable online, through the golf reception and within stay and play packages |
| Green fee | From around 104 euros to about 145 euros for eighteen holes in 2026 (indicative); packages including hotel and golf are usually the best value |
| Booking | Book ahead for the spring and autumn peaks; Belek is busiest when northern Europe is cold |
| On the day | Buggies and a full practice area; a large resort clubhouse and a relaxed dress code |
| Getting there | In Belek on the Turkish Riviera, about forty minutes from Antalya airport, amid a dense cluster of resort courses |
| Best months | October to May for the most comfortable golf; high summer is hot, so early and late tee times are best |
Access and indicative green fees verified June 2026 from the resort; they change without notice, so always confirm directly before booking with Gloria Golf Resort or your trip planner. Check tee time availability.
Where to stay nearby
Belek is built for the golf trip, a strip of large resort hotels set among the pines with three or more courses often within a short shuttle ride. The Gloria resort hotels sit beside the Old Course, so many visitors play, eat and sleep within the same grounds, with everything included and the first tee a few minutes away.
For a wider Belek itinerary, the cluster includes Carya, the Montgomerie Maxx Royal and the National among many others, all reachable in minutes, which makes it possible to play a different championship course every day without changing hotel. Antalya airport is about forty minutes away and well connected across Europe, making Belek one of the easiest warm weather golf trips to arrange.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts across Belek and Antalya.
Play Gloria and Belek
We build Belek trips around the Gloria courses, Carya and the Montgomerie, secure the best tee times and sort an all inclusive resort base with the transfers. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Gloria Old questions
Who designed the Gloria Old Course?
The Gloria Old Course opened in September 1997 and was designed by the French architect Michel Gayon. It is the original and flagship course at the Gloria Golf Resort, joined later by the New and Verde layouts.
What is the par and length of the Gloria Old Course?
The Old Course plays as a par 72 of about 6,492 yards, roughly 5,938 metres, from the back tees. The defence is the tight pine forest setting, seven lakes and Gayon's signature deep bunkers rather than length.
What is the Gloria Old Course known for?
The Old Course is known for its mature pine forest setting, its seven lakes, its large greens of around 600 square metres and the deep bunkers that are Michel Gayon's trademark. It is considered one of the best designs in Belek.
How much does it cost to play the Gloria Old Course?
Indicative 2026 green fees run from around 104 euros to about 145 euros for eighteen holes depending on season and time, with stay and play packages often the best value. Fees change by season and year, so always confirm current rates directly before booking.
Where is the Gloria Old Course and what is nearby?
Gloria sits in Belek on the Turkish Riviera, about forty minutes from Antalya airport. It pairs naturally with Carya, the Montgomerie Maxx Royal and the National within the dense Belek golf cluster for a high value winter sun trip.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Opening year, designer, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.