Gloria Golf Resort

For Gloria's Old Course, a local Turkish construction team worked in consultation with international experts to realise the design of French architect Michel Gayon. The result is a 6,759 yard gem, whose Bermuda fairways and greens, which surround some 7 lakes, have recently been reworked to improve their condition.

The New Course is characterised by the four large lakes that it encircles, and its testing tree-lined fairways. Completed in 2005, the course has done much to ease traffic on the Old, and is itself an excellent test of golf, stretching to 6,889 yards from the championship tees. Also designed by Frenchman Gayon, the New Course affords terrific views of the Taurus mountains, and adds another string to Gloria's bow.

The New Course at Gloria runs through mature umbrella pines and plays quite differently to the Old. The fairways undulate more, the trees frame each hole tightly and there is plenty of water in play, though it tends to come at you from different angles. The New Course rewards accuracy and shot-shaping over power, and the greens are quick and true, so you will need to be sharp with your approach play and putting.

I will admit that the New Course is my favourite of the two. The routing through the pines gives you a sense of seclusion and the elevation changes add interest to what could otherwise be a flat layout. You are constantly adjusting your stance and club selection, and the trees force you to think about your angles rather than just aiming down the middle and hoping for the best.

The water hazards are more strategic here. They are not always visible from the tee, so you need to know where they are and plan accordingly. If you are playing the course for the first time, take a moment to study the layout card or ask your caddie, because a blind tee shot into water is a frustrating way to drop a shot.

The greens are well-protected, often with bunkers short and water long, so you need to be precise with your distance control. Miss the green and you are often chipping from a tight lie or playing out of sand, so getting your approach dialled in is key. The New Course is a thinking player's layout, and if you enjoy working the ball and plotting your way round, you will have a great time.

Fancy taking on both Gloria layouts? You can include the Gloria Old Course and the New Course at Gloria in your next Turkey golf holiday.