Golf Resort Spa venues

A golf resort spa is the spa section inside a resort that has a golf course. Its distinguishing feature is its guest profile: some of those staying spend most of the day on the course, so the spa serves both as a relaxation area used throughout the holiday and as a place to recover after a round.

Golf resort spas in the guide

Both golf resort spas in the guide are in the Serik district of Antalya; Belek, which belongs to the district, is a tourist area known for its golf courses. Traditional hammam rituals, Balinese massage, aromatherapy massage, facials and package programmes feature prominently in the property information. Both properties are also classified as luxury hotel spas and resort spas.

Which treatments suit golfers

Because the golf swing relies on a fast rotation of the torso, tension after a round is often felt in the lower back, back, shoulders and forearms. A sports massage focusing on these areas, or a firmer-pressure deep tissue massage, may help reduce muscle tension; for those who simply want to relax, aromatherapy massage is a lighter option. If there is no sports massage on the menu, telling the therapist which areas to focus on when you book is usually enough.

How it differs from beach and other resort spas

The golf resort spa is a subgroup of the resort spa parent category. At beach resort spas the spa is mostly a complement to a day at the beach; at golf resorts, on the other hand, tee times and spa appointments are fitted into the same day's schedule. The fact that one of the examples in the guide is also listed as a beach resort shows that the two can be combined on the same holiday.

Appointment and health notes

• Whether non-residents are admitted to the spa varies by venue; resort spas usually give priority to hotel guests.
• It is more comfortable to move on to a massage or the sauna after a short rest and some fluids rather than straight after playing; if you have spent a long time in the sun, keep your time in the sauna short.
• If you have an acute injury, swelling or pain that has come on suddenly, consult a doctor before having a massage. The same rule applies before the hammam and sauna for people who are pregnant or have cardiovascular disease or blood pressure problems.
• When booking, ask whether massages and treatments are included in your accommodation package and how the wet areas are opened to women and men.