Created in conjunction with European Golf Design, Montgomerie Maxx Royal is a bona-fide modern championship test, highlighted by the fact that in the relatively short time-span of six years, it was selected by the European Tour as the host course for the Turkish Airlines Open, one of the events tour’s Race to Dubai Final Series.
Measuring comfortably over 7,000 yards from the championship tees, the course is certainly no pushover even for the best players in the world but with an additional three sets of tees the course can be played from as little as 5,382 yards, making it accessible to all and an excellent addition to any Belek Golf Holiday.
Rather unusually, Maxx Royal features 6 pars 3s, 6 par 4s and 6 par 5s so the playing experience is an extremely dynamic one which keeps the golfer on their toes from start to finish. Fairways are generous but have been carved through the mature pines that typify the Belek region, placing an emphasis on accuracy from the tee, without being overly penal on the odd stray tee shot. An extra feature of this course is that the back nine holes are floodlit allowing golf to be played into the evening.
Monty’s layout, which sits on the type of sandy sub-soil that is ideal for year round golf, also features no less than 8 on-site lakes, placing a premium on solid course management which should see you avoid most of the hazards.
As with any golf course, the conditioning is largely dependent on the season but like most of the resort courses in Turkey, every effort is made to keep this to the highest possible standard throughout the year.
The newest addition to the golfing landscape in Belek is among the most desirable, so why not include the fabulous Montgomerie course in your next golf holiday in Turkey?
Signature Hole – No18: Par 5, 543 yards (Blue Tees)
While it’s a tough task to pick just one hole at Montgomerie Maxx Royal, the signature hole is probably the doglegged par-5 13th. Two towering pine trees positioned in the middle of the fairway present the golfer with options from the tee: take the Tiger line to the left for a better chance of carrying the waste bunker which splits the fairway for your second shot; or choose the easier line to the right, lay-up, and be faced with a more difficult approach to the green. This hole is a test of both body and mind and sums up the Maxx Royal perfectly, with sound decision making and skilful shots required to escape safely with a par.
The Montgomerie Maxx Royal is ranked as one of the best courses in Turkey
Practice Facilities
As you may expect for a venue which has successfully hosted one of the European Tour’s biggest events, there are ample practice facilities at Maxx Royal.
At the Golden Swing Academy, you’ll find two purpose built indoor teaching rooms on the range as well as a workshop, fitting centre and Yes! putting studio. Should you feel the need to sharpen up your game; this is the place to be.
A huge double-ended driving range allows golfers to warm up to their heart’s content before their rounds and with separate greenside bunker and chipping greens, as well as a 1000m2 practice putting green, there is also plenty of scope to work on your short game before heading to the 1st tee.
At The Clubhouse
The clubhouse at Maxx Royal is one of the most impressive in the Belek region and the perfect place to enjoy a few drinks or indeed a delicious meal before or after your round of golf.
Elegant and spacious, the Maxx Royal clubhouse has its own 30m-high viewing tower from which golfers can watch fellow players make their way up the final hole, as well as enjoying views over the distant mountains and out towards the Mediterranean Sea.
With 2 floors accommodating every need, golfers are able to use the conference rooms for special tournament prize giving ceremonies, or indeed for business requirements before and after their round.
Other Information
Depending on the season, the weather in Turkey can get plenty hot so be sure to pack sun cream and take plenty of water onto the course with you. Buggies are recommended too as in the heat of the sun, walking the course can be quite tough.
A drink or two in the clubhouse’s tower is a must.
Did You Know?
Course designer Colin Montgomerie became only the 7th man in history to play in 600 European Tour events when he teed it up in the £4.4 million Turkish Airlines Open in 2014.
Course Information
Par |
72 |
Designed by |
Colin Montgomerie in conjunction with European Golf Design |
Opened for play |
2007 |
Previously hosted |
Turkish Airlines Open (2013-15) |
Tees
Black |
7,132 yards |
Silver |
6,410 yards |
Gold |
6,044 yards |
Red |
5,382 yards |