Golf Tour in India
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Dramatic venues in India offering golf are truly
memorable experiences. Tee off from the highest golf
course in the world, watch a peacock dance amidst old
monuments strewn in the middle of the course or sip a
cup of tea at a colonial styled clubhouse. Whether you
are having Business or Leisure trip you can enjoy the
game of golf because many hotels have the facility for
the game. India can offer you the varied experiences due
its rich geographical diversity. From the snow peaked
Himalayas, crowded cities and in small towns, by the
lakes and forests, tea estates, exotic desert locales,
there is a different flavor to suit every need enabling
you to experience the country in a unique manner. In
recent years, a large number of international standard
courses designed by names as well known as Arnold
Palmer, Jack Nicklus and Greg Norman have come up in
India, providing golfers with ample challenges. India
was the first country after the Great Britain to take up
the game of golf. The Royal Calcutta Golf Club, the
oldest Golf club in India, and the first outside the
British Isles, was established in 1829 during the
British reign. Golf had already been played in India for
59 years before the first major course was opened in the
USA in 1888. By the end of the 19th century India
already had a dozen golf clubs. The Royal Bombay Golf
Club was established in 1842 and the Bangalore Golf club
in 1876 followed the founding of the royal Calcutta Golf
Club. The Madras Gymkhana Golf Club was established in
1877, and 11 years later, Chennai got its second course
under the name of the Cosmopolitan Golf Club. The
Shillong Golf Club incorporated a golf course in 1886.
In North India, Srinagar was the first to have its own
course in the 1880s, followed by Gulmarg in 1891, known
to be highest in the world.
Today India is ready to cater to the huge and growing demands of golf
tourism. There are approximately 200 golf courses in the
country, each one of them possessing unique
characteristics and offering memorable playing
experience. Most of these golf courses are backed with
excellent clubhouse facilities, shops, food and
beverage arrangements, practice areas and are well
connected with the cities.
The best thing about playing golf in India is the fact
that one can experience these exceptional courses at
very economical rates. The general green fee for Indian
residents is around Rs. 500 for weekends, and around $25
for foreigners. The caddie fee ranges from Rs. 60 to 150
(US$-1 to 3). These golfing facilities are backed with
excellent lodging and boarding arrangements. Each Indian
city offers a variety of hotels ranging from economy to
deluxe and five – star hotels.
It was the year 1996 when India get recognized in the
international golfing circuit of the world though it
became the part of the circuit in 1964 when India launch
Indian Open tournament. In 1996, India was invited to the
Alfred Dunhill Cup, a 16 – nation event, at the Old
Course of St. Andrews, Scotland. The results of the
tournament was shocking, the Indian contingent of Gaurav Ghej, Jeev
Milkha Singh and Ali Sher defeated the hosts and strong
favorites, Scotland. In 1997, India got its second
regular Asian PGA Tour event when the Hero Honda Masters
was launched. Today, golfing in India has indeed come a long way with a large number
of Indian players competing and winning on the
international circuit. Indian player Jeev Milkha Singh
has earned name in international circuit. Golf enthusiasts including women,
continue to grow in numbers, and new courses are added
almost every year. |
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TIPS WHILE PLAYING GOLF IN INDIA |
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Always keep your handicap certificate of your local club
ready. Some golf courses may insist on it, though most of
the courses allow you to play without one.
Check with your hotel. They might have a tie- up with
certain courses, which will help you to get a tee – time
without much hassle.
Preferably, book your tee – time in advance. This is
especially true in case you are planning a weekend round.
Always keep cotton tee shirts and trousers in your bag. Most
of the time you won’t need anything warmer than this.
It would be a nice idea to keep your sun blocks and umbrella
handy. It can get extremely hot out there.
Buy at least a couple of bottles of mineral water before the
start of your round. Dehydration is a real threat.
Keep count of the clubs and balls in your bag. Always insist
on taking a registered caddie.
It pays to do a small warm – up routine on your round. |
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The northern region of India
stretches from the picturesque peaks of the lofty Himalayas
to the sandy and rocky deserts of Rajasthan to the Indo – Gangetic plains of Punjab,
Harayana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Apart from some wonderful golf courses the northern region offers an endless
variety of activities to indulge in from skiing to trekking, from sightseeing and shopping for ethnic artifacts to
sapling the exotic Indian cuisines. Thus one can enjoy complete leisure holidays
with great golfing experience.
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Gulmarg is rated as
one of the matchless hill resorts in the world. The name means ‘Meadow of
Flowers’. The picturesque land offers a diversity of breath – taking places to
visit. Khilanmarg, a smaller valley, about a 6 – km walk from Gulmarg, is a
major tourist attraction. The meadow, carpeted with flowers in the spring, is
the site for Gulmarg’s winter ski rums and offers a fine view of the
surrounding peaks. Beyond Khilanmarg, 13 – km from
Gulmarg, is situated Apharwat Lake, it is a icy water lake which remains frozen until mid – June.
Even later in the year one can see lumps of ice floating in its cold waters. Apharwat Lake allows for an adventurous
trek. It makes an exciting excursion for horse riding aficionados. The other
tourist attraction here is the Shrine of Baba Reshi / Ziarat of Baba Reshi, a
well – known Muslim saint who died here in 1480. |
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Golf and other
sports activities: Gulmarg also has one of the world’s highest green golf courses, as well
as a clubhouse, which is a historical building in its own right.
For the would – be golfer, there are golf sets on hire, pros to
instruct one on the game and temporary memberships. Naturally,
these facilities are available to players as well, except that
serious golfers usually carry their sets along.
For a fun filled ride of a most unusual kind of Ski run get on the gondola
Cable Car, which allows a ski run of 2213 meters through the pine – clad
slopes. For witnessing the glorious fauna of the great Himalayan range, such as the Himalayan musk deer, red fox, brown and black bear along with numerous resident and migratory birds,
you can visit the Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve. Located at a height of 2400 m above sea level and with a coverage area of 180 sq – kms, this reserve is at a distance of 48 km from Srinagar. The best time
to watch wildlife here is frrom September to March..The best time to visit Gulmarg:
in summer from May to September and in winter from November to February.
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Srinagar,
located in the heart of the kashmir valley, and is spread on
both sides of the river Jhelum.It is the summer capital of
the state of Jammu and Kashmir . Srinagar is famous for its alpine beauty and for its
lakes and the charming rows of houseboats floating on them.
It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and
dry fruits. Kashmir has enticed people from all over the
world to behold its legendary beauty. It is widely been referred
as "Paradise on Earth". |
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The Royal Springs Golf Club: The Club offering panoramic views of the Dal Lake and pine dotted mountain peaks, is
no doubt one of the most beautiful golf courses in Asia. The undulating fairways and the challenging greens make it a treat for golfers. The most talked about hole on the course is the famous par-3 fifth, which offers a panoramic view of the Dal Lake from an elevated tee.
Designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Junior, the royal springs lies in the high – security Chashmeshahi area, surrounded by the Sher – e – Kashmir International Convention Centre and a plethora of quality hotels. The 18 – hole course measures in excess of 7,000 yards, but plays shorter as the ball travels much longer because of the high altitude.
The apple, peach and plum trees among heavenly flower beds, providing a rich hue of
color and aroma, are an added attractions on the course. |
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Dwelling on a panoramic location the hilly town of Shimla is surrounded by green pastures and snow –
capped peaks. The spectacular cool hills accompanied by colonial era structures create a dramatic aura, making Shimla very different from other hill stations. The Mall, packed with shops and eateries, is the center of attraction of the town, and Scandal Point, associated with the former Maharaja of Patiala’s escapades, offers a view of distant snow clad peaks.
The main attractions here include: the Christ Church the St. Michael’s Cathedral that was built in 1846 –1857 and is the second oldest church of India; the Himachal State Museum & Library; the Jakhu Temple, dedicated to Lord Hanuman, is at an altitude of 2,455m, near the highest point of Shimla ridge and Lakkar Bazaar adjacent to the ridge is popular for its woodcrafts and souvenirs.
Close to the Viceregal lodge is the Himalayan Aviary or the Himalayan Bird Park. This Park is a natural habitat of numerous species of birds found in Himachal such as Himalayan Monal, Pheasants, Peafowl and the Natinal Bird of India – the Peacock.
The best time to visit Shimla is from April to August and December to January.
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Adventure in the hills: Shimla was the summer capital during the British Raj. Since no English township could be complete without a golf course, a suitable site was finally chosen at Naldehra, 23 kilometer from Shimla. The course is carpeted by fine springy turf, which requires little maintenance. The par 68 Course is basically located in a bowl and has nine holes, which can be played twice for a 18 – hole experience. |
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Chandigarh the capital of two
states - Haryana and Punjab- is India's most modern and well -planned city
laid by Le Corbusier. Chandigarh - an architect's delight- has well
– laid roads, lined with endless rows of trees, shrubs and boulevards. The
buildings are strategically and ingeniously set against the backdrop of the
mountains. The city got its name from goddess Chandi Devi whose white domed
temple stands on the slop of a hill in the north-east of Candigarh on the
edge of the Shivalik hills. Amongst its many splendors is the Rose
Garden named Zakir Gulab Bag - which is Asia’s largest rose garden
containing 1,600 varieties of roses.The Sukhna Lake, a seasonal stream coming down from the
Shivalik Hills, is
also a great attraction. It attracts migratory birds from lands as far as
Siberia and elsewhere. |
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Chandigarh Golf Club: The famous Chandigarh Golf Club is also called
the Cradle of Indian Golf. This club has gifted the player like
Chiran Jeev
Milkha Singh, who became the first Indian to qualify for the European
and Japanese PGA Tours. The 7,202 – yard, par –72 courses is an environmental lung or the city
with its rich and varied species of trees and shrubs. Right next to the
course is the Chandigarh Golf Academy Driving Range, an excellent
facility boasting of a humongous green (some say it is the largest in
Asia) for your short game practice. The course is known for its tight
fairways, which are lined by trees and thick rough. There are quite a
few dogleg holes here, but none gives the players a chance to take the
shortcut as tall trees almost always guard the corners. The Club also
possesses one of the longest par – 5s in India, the seventh hole which
measures 613 yards. |
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Forest Hills Golf Resort: The Forest Hills Golf Resort is a nine – hole facility nestled in the foothills of Shivalik mountains and just a ten – minute drive from the Sukhna Lake.
The Forest Hill Golf Resort is one of the toughest courses in the country from the championship tee. It is a thinking man’s course and strategy, rather than brute force, is required to tame it. The par – 3 second is a challenging hole. The tee shot needs to carry 219 yards of a deep ditch to reach the green. The par – 4 seventh measures 480 yards. Most of the greens have severe undulations, thus imposing a premium on approach shots. The par – 5 ninth is a double dog – leg and almost impossible to reach in tow. Some of the tees are on hillocks and require a climb of several steps. Surely, you would come out a few kilos lighter after the experience.
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Agra has secured a prominent place
on the international map due to its architectural marvel "Taj Mahal".
Agra is also known for its superb inlay work on marble and soapstone. Agra is
well connected with major tourism centers of India and is also a part of Golden
Triangle of Delhi-Jaipur-Agra circuit.
The Agra Golf Club is a
nine – hole course with some of the holes providing a spectacular view of the
Taj Mahal. The tall trees on all the sides offer just a glimpse of the Taj dome
from the clubhouse. The putting greens and the fairways are quite rudimentary,
but as compensation, you have the magnificent Taj Mahal as a backdrop.
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The capital of India, Delhi, has
been witness to almost three thousand years of history. Among the various
place of historical significance worth visiting is the famous Qutub Minar,
the 73 meter tall minaret built by Qutub – ud – din – Aibek in 1199; the
16th century Humayun’s Tomb, a memorial to the Mughal emperor; the majestic
42 – meter high arch of the India Gate, a war memorial in honor of the
Indian soldiers who died during the first World War; the observatory; Jantar
Mantar built in 1724; the Jama Masjid, South Asia’s largest mosque; the
splendors of Chandni Chowk and Old Delhi. Delhi is a shopper’s paradise.
Most states of India maintain marketing outlets in Delhi for their
handicrafts. Dilli Haat, the first ever permanent fair for crafts, food and
cultural activities in India, is one of the main attractions to those
looking for handicrafts and wishing to sample the cuisines of various Indian
states. Also on Baba Kharak Singh Mark, just off Connaught Place, are
located the various state emporia. The best time to visit Delhi is the
winter season, starting from November to March. Summer is very hot with the
mercury touching mid 40 degrees.
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Golf courses in and
around Delhi
Delhi and the surrounding area of National Capital Region (NCR, comprising
Gurgaon, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad) is the true golfing capital of
India. The sheer variety of courses in Delhi is fascination.
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The Delhi Golf Club:
You can
tee off from the shadows of the Lodhi Dynasty tombs or get held up
because a peacock decides to perch itself on the green. The DGC, an 18 –
hole per 72-championship size golf course is perhaps the only one in the
world, dotted with ancient monuments. The thorny bushes lining the
fairways of DGC, put a huge premium on accuracy. A nine – hole Peacock
Course is also a must explore. The DGC also scores for its unbeatable
location – it is situated right in the heart of the city, just a short
distance away from India Gate. The DGC is home to many Professional
tournaments including the Indian Open, part of the prestigious Asian PGA
circuit. The club has facilities that include a bar and catering a
swimming pool, a pub and a health club. |
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The other two courses within
the city limits worth visiting are the Army Golf Course in Dhaula Kuan
and the Qutab Golf Course in Lado Sarai. The Army Golf Course has 18
well designed holes that will force you to use every club in the bag. Qutab Golf Course, which is maintained by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), is
the only public golf course in the country. Wide open fairways and an easy layout are sure to give your ego
a boost. There are three world class golf courses at a short distance away
from Delhi in the city of Gurgaon. The par – 72 DLF Golf & Country
Club was designed by Arnold Palmer and has 18 Immaculate holes measuring 7141 yards. Several water bodies add to the excitement of playing on carpet like fairways and swift greens. DLF Golf & Country Club is the only
course in India to offer night golfing facility. The finishing holes of
DLF are in classic style, in a sequence of par – 3, par – 4 and par – 5.
Water comes into play on all three. There is a fully equipped golf
academy and a clubhouse that adds to the unique golf experience. It has a health –
club too.
A few kilometers away is the Golden Greens, a testing 18 – hole
links style course. The gusts can shred one’s ego on this layout and it
is advisable to remain out of the thick roughs. You can also experience
the deep sleeper bunkers on this course.
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Classic Golf Resort (CGR): The
Classic Golf Resort is a signature course of the great Jack ‘Golden Bear’
Nicklaus. The resort has been built on a 3000 acre expanse, at the
foothills of the picturesque Aravalli hills. The golf course is located on
the outskirts of Delhi, off the Delhi – Jaipur highway and is about 45
minutes drive from Delhi. This fusion of international experience with
Indian expertise, indigenous adaptation of globally accepted materials and
processes as well the constant adherence to quality standards makes CGR a
world class championship venue.
The CGR is a magnificent facility with two courses – an 18 – hole
Championship course and a 9 – hole Canyon Course. The championship course at
the CGR plays to 7114 yards from the back tees. The par
threes are particularly taxing with the eleventh hole a 224 – yard monster
with a bunker in front and out of bounds on the left. The course puts up all
resistance right down to the 18th hole. The longest hole is the par – 5 18th
hole that is 580 yards long. The shortest is the par – 3 fifth at 170 yards. The fifth marks up for its lack of length by possessing a shallow,
undulating and a deceptive green that can baffle any golfer. The
amphitheatre – like green adds to the atmosphere. The par – 5 14th is also
an interesting hole with as many as eight bunkers coming in play.
The Greg Norman, who designed Jaypee Greens is a lengthy 18 – hole course
situated in Greater Noida. At 7,343 yards from the championship tee, it is
definitely the longest course in the country and one of the longest in Asia.
Nine huge lakes and five small ponds come into play on almost every hole,
and the uniquely shaped bunkers are strewn over the course. There are 88
bunkers in all. However, the layout goes with Norman’s philosophy of course
design that challenges the very best of the pros, and yet is enjoyable for
the members, who can play from a choice of tees. The fairways
here are some of the best in the country, but the greens are a bit on
the slower side. Since the course just started in the year 2001, they
would take some time to settle down. Two par – 3s (the 231 – yard third
and the 216 – yard fifth) are especially tough and one might have to
resort to woods to reach them in regulation. The par fives are long
too. Water skirts the fairways all along the second shot on a couple to
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Closer to Delhi is the
Noida Golf Club, in Sector – 38, Noida. This is a
fast developing 18 – hole championship – size course, which has added
excellent fairways and greens in the last couple of years. The course
plays to par 72 and measures 6,915 yards from the championship tee. The
par – 3 16th hole is a killer, stretching 245 yards and sometimes
requires a good tee shot with a driver to reach the green. The greens
are large and true. |
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JAIPUR – THE CITY OF VICTORY |
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Jaipur - the capital of
Rajasthan has earned universal renown as the "Pink City". Jaipur is surrounded on all sides by
rugged hills, crowned with forts and enclosed by embattled walls. You
can take a
ride on the Palace on Wheels, a luxury train that carries with it an
ambience of the Rajputana era to explore the history and beauty of the state. Attractive
monuments, comfortable hotels, gardens and excursions nearby places and
shopping makes Pink City a memorable destination. |
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The city is dotted with many
royal palaces and forts. The famous ones include the Amber Palace, the City Palace, the Hawa Mahal and Jaigarh
fort - built on
a peak, overlooks the palace & city of Amber below.
Sanganer town has a ruined palace and a group of Jain temples with fine
carvings. The city also offers an endless variety of crafts. Jaipur’s lacquer
bangles are famous all over the world. A major gem and jewellery center. Jaipur
is famous for Kundan work (enamel work on gold). Also there are woolen carpets,
cotton rugs, marble statuary, enameled wares, brass ware, hand – block printed
Sanganeri and Bagru Cotton fabrics, exotic blue pottery made from crushed
quartz, leather footwear and more. This is a city to be visited and the best
time to do so is from October to March. In the footsteps off the Maharajas: The Rambagh Palace & Golf Club in
Jaipur is an eighteen – hole course overlooking the Moti Doongri Palace and the
Historical Nahargarh Fort. The fairway passes through the Rambagh Polo Grounds,
which have seen some of the finest Polo matches in the time of the late Sawai Man
Singh . These days there are more golfers to be seen on the grounds where are
royals once moved on their chargers. The Courses spread over undulation terrain,
are all green except for the hole.
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For more information on the different Golf
Tours In India, please contact us and join the
special Golf Tour
of Indo Vacations.
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