Andy DevaneyIf you’ve ever landed at Dalaman, blinked at the sunlight, and thought, “All this coastline and not a proper championship course in sight?”—your complaint is about to expire.
The Hilton Dalaman Sarıgerme Resort & Spa is set to add an 18-hole, par-72 course to the Dalaman Coast in June 2026, a move that could finally turn this part of southwestern Türkiye from “gorgeous detour” into “book the flights, pack the sticks”.
This will be the region’s first golf venue, designed by the International Design Group, and it’s not being tucked away in some anonymous inland plot, either. The routing has been planned on a site bordered by the resort to the south and a river to the west—meaning the scenery is doing half the marketing before you’ve even found your tee.
Built for golfers, planned for the future
The new layout at The Hilton Dalaman Sarıgerme Resort & Spa is listed at 6,152 metres (6,728 yards) from the back tees, built on natural sandy soil, and framed by sweeping views of the Mediterranean. The claim is that it’s predicted to become one of the most beautiful and prestigious golf experiences in Türkiye—bold talk, but the setting gives it a fighting chance.
Just as importantly (and this is where destinations either get it right or get found out), the build is being pitched as sustainability-led, using “the best sustainable practices”. That matters because golf tourism has grown up: travellers still want immaculate playing surfaces, but they also want a clear conscience when they post the photos.
Easy to reach, hard to ignore
The location is doing some heavy lifting here: the course is around 20 minutes from Dalaman International Airport. In real terms, that’s the difference between “nice idea” and “we’ll play the day we arrive.” And the course is set to be managed by The Hilton Dalaman Sarıgerme Resort & Spa, which suggests this isn’t a bolt-on—it’s a new centrepiece.
To support the course, the project includes the full set of golfer essentials: driving range, putting green, short-game area, clubhouse, restaurant and a halfway house. Translation: you can actually practise, eat properly, and argue about that missed three-footer in comfort.
The ambition: put Dalaman on the golf map
Umit Yasar Atalay, general manager at Hilton Dalaman Sarıgerme Resort & Spa, isn’t pretending this is just another leisure add-on. He’s aiming at something bigger, and he says it plainly:
“Our vision is to create an environmentally conscious, nature-integrated golf course that meets international standards and positions Türkiye where it rightfully belongs in the global golf tourism arena. For us, success isn’t merely completing the golf course – it’s establishing Dalaman as a recognised hub of international golf tourism and a future stage for professional tournaments.
“The area’s rare qualities inspired us to envision a course that would not only coexist with the landscape but also enhance it. It’s been designed as a sustainable, aesthetic living space and one that provides a premium experience for players of all levels. Our guests won’t just play golf here; they’ll enjoy a peaceful experience in harmony with nature.”
That’s the bullseye: not simply a course, but a destination play—one that could eventually host competitive golf, not just holiday rounds and handshake Stablefords.
Dalaman’s natural edge
Dalaman has long been one of the better-kept secrets of southwestern Türkiye: long beaches, rich vegetation, lakes that welcome migratory birds, and a climate that behaves itself for most of the year. In travel terms, it’s already got the bones of a serious break; adding golf gives it an extra reason to return—especially for people who want sun, scenery, and something to do besides lying horizontal.
And for golfers who like tradition with their tee times, there’s a satisfying logic here: great golf destinations usually grow from places that already feel timeless—strong landscapes, reliable weather, and an identity that existed long before the first scorecard was printed. If the design respects that, the course won’t just look good in year one; it’ll age well, which is the real test.
The resort behind the project
Opened in 2009, The Hilton Dalaman Sarıgerme Resort & Spa sits on the edge of the Dalaman River, near where the Mediterranean and Aegean meet. It’s billed as ultra-all-inclusive, with luxury accommodation, a private beach, and a broad spread of sports and lifestyle facilities, plus a line-up of bars and restaurants covering local and international cuisines. In other words: golfers can bring the whole family without the usual “so what am I meant to do all day?” conversation.
What to know at a glance
- Opening: June 2026
- Course: 18 holes, par 72
- Designer: International Design Group
- Distance: 6,152 metres / 6,728 yards (back tees)
- Location: ~20 minutes from Dalaman International Airport
- Facilities: practice areas, clubhouse, restaurant, halfway house
If The Hilton Dalaman Sarıgerme Resort & Spa delivers on the promise—international standards, genuine sustainability, and a layout that lets the land do the talking—Dalaman won’t just be a place you fly into. It’ll be somewhere you plan around.
More info: www.hilton.com/
