Born in Weilheim in Oberbayern, Bavaria, West Germany, Görlitz began his professional career as a midfielder with TSV 1860 Munich, by then in the Bundesliga; his first match came on 10 February 2002, in a 2–1 loss at 1.

[1] In the 2003–04 season, Görlitz made the transition to defender, and appeared in 32 matches for TSV, scoring his first professional goal on 27 March 2004, at Eintracht Frankfurt, through a header (3–0 triumph), as his side was finally relegated, after ranking 17th.

[2] He even started some matches in the new season but, following an injury in a UEFA Champions League contest against Juventus FC, on 3 November, spent almost two years in the sidelines.

In the summer of 2007, it was announced that Görlitz would join newly promoted Karlsruher SC, on loan for the 2007–08 season.

[6] Shortly after signing for Bayern, Görlitz made his debut for the Germany national team, appearing in the last five minutes of the 1–1 friendly with Brazil, on 8 September 2004; the following month, he assisted veteran Thomas Brdarić as the striker closed the score at 2–0, in another exhibition game, this time against Iran.