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Türkiye welcomes nearly 125,000 golfers every year, with most playing on the courses of Antalya, home to 15 of the country's 22 venues.
Having hosted more than 100 tournaments so far this year, including the Turkish Airlines Open and the 5 Stars International Golf Cup, the country is increasingly on the route of professional and amateur players alike, said Ercan Cek, a golf club board member and deputy head of the Professional Hotel Managers Association.
Other events on this year's calendar include the Turkish Amateur Open, Cornelia Open, Legends Tour Qualifying School 2026, US Kids Antalya Local Tour 2026, Gloria Ozaltın Championship and the Turkish Golf Federation's national and inter-club tours.
Beyond the fairways, Antalya has a lot to offer visitors, with its coastline, ancient cities, natural scenery and well-regarded hotels.
Golfers can combine a round with sightseeing, and the city is working to build on that appeal.
Golf arrived in the region about 35 years ago and has since become an important part of the local tourism economy. It helps draw visitors outside the summer months, supporting a year-round season, and adds to the sector's income.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Ercan Cek said golf can be played in Antalya all year round, though winter is the busiest time on the courses.
Antalya's name comes up more and more in world golf, Cek said. Türkiye's share of the global golf market grows every year, he added, but it is not yet where the industry wants it to be.
"The average visitor to Türkiye spends about 105 euros per person. For golfers, that figure goes above 200 euros, which is significant added value," he said.
"They stay in hotels and they pay separately to play. We host close to 125,000 golfers a year. Counting a seven-night stay, that is a contribution of close to 190 to 200 million euros to Turkish tourism, and that covers only accommodation and green fees. Add transport, food and drink and other spending, and the total grows many times over."
Cek added that work is under way on a new golf course in Manavgat, and that investments like this will help grow the number of players further.
Türkiye is also growing its own talent, with about 9,000 golfers now registered with the Turkish Golf Federation. A range of events is aimed at pushing that number higher.
Each year the federation stages junior tournaments, which help bring the game to a wider audience. Turkish players are also finding more success on the international stage with every season.
Orkunhan Kaplan, operations manager at Antalya Golf Club, was introduced to the game at the age of seven and has spent 21 years in the sport.
Selected for the national team in 2012, he has been an active member of the squad for about eight years. Kaplan said the federation provides important support for club development programs, which has brought more children into the game.
Golf is not out of reach for ordinary people, he said, and young talent is emerging at clubs across Antalya.
"Golf is a young sport here, and we are moving a little slowly, but I believe we will achieve much more important things in the years ahead," Kaplan said.
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