King of the Swing

“No one will ever have golf under his thumb. No round ever will be so good it could not have been better. Perhaps this is why golf is the greatest of games. You are not playing a human adversary; you are playing a game. You are playing old man par.” — Bobby Jones

Golf has been played in India since 1827, when the first golf club outside the British Isles was established in Kolkata as the Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC). Soon after, various golf clubs were established across India, mainly to cater to the needs of the British. Following Independence in 1947, golf expanded considerably, thanks largely to the armed forces, with courses emerging primarily in cantonment areas.

From the 1990s onwards, the growth of golf in India became increasingly associated with the changing lifestyles of the country’s expanding middle class. Many of the old heritage clubs have since become bastions of members drawn largely from government services and the armed forces, making new memberships extremely difficult. The waiting list at the Delhi Golf Club, for instance, was reported to be as long as 35 years.

The Rise of Golf in India

At the same time, new golf courses began appearing across the country, closely linked to the rapid development of real estate. As elsewhere in the world, developers recognised that properties associated with golf courses could command significantly higher values.

Today, India offers an increasingly diverse golfing landscape. More than 230 golf courses were noted in the country, with at least 30 regarded as world-class courses. Many have been designed by internationally renowned golf architects, including Nicklaus, Player, Robert Trent Jones Jr., Hawtree, Norman and Palmer.

The growth of these new courses has also opened the sport to a new generation of successful professionals and business owners. Golf has increasingly evolved beyond a traditional club sport to become an important lifestyle experience.

Golf Holidays Across India

India can offer an excellent golf holiday at relatively attractive prices. The principal golfing circuits include Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.

Several states have also recognised the potential of golf tourism. Kashmir, for example, has developed a Robert Trent Jones Jr. golf course in Srinagar as well as a stunning course in Pahalgam. The region attracts thousands of Indian golfers during the summer, when the combination of pleasant weather and spectacular mountain scenery makes it an especially appealing golfing destination.

For international golfers, staying in one of India’s major cities can make for an ideal base. A wide range of hotels caters to different budgets, while the opportunity to combine golf with India’s culture, cuisine, history and heritage makes the experience far more than a sporting holiday.

Golf Amid India’s Heritage

One of the country’s most fascinating golfing experiences can be found at the Golconda Golf Course in Hyderabad, where an 18-hole course is associated with the historic setting of Golconda Fort, built in the 1700s.

Another distinctive destination is the AAMBY Valley Golf Course in Maharashtra, situated at the base of a Maratha fort that dates back more than 300 years.

These courses demonstrate one of the most appealing aspects of golfing in India: the opportunity to combine the game with the country’s extraordinary historical and cultural landscape.

Planning a Golf Tour in India

A typical golf tour can span around 8 nights and 9 days, incorporating four or five rounds of golf along with sightseeing, shopping and culinary excursions.

The ideal period for a golf holiday in India is generally between October and March. This period also coincides with the colder months in major golfing markets such as North America, the British Isles and Europe, making India an attractive alternative for golfers looking to continue playing during their winter season.

India on the International Golf Circuit

India’s growing golfing culture extends beyond domestic courses. More than 100,000 Indian golfers were noted as regularly travelling overseas for golfing holidays, while the India Golf Tour has also formed part of the wider Asian golf circuit.

International professionals from countries including Thailand, Australia, South Africa, Sweden, the British Isles and the United States have visited India to participate in golf events.

The country has also welcomed some of the biggest names in the sport. Vijay Singh, Tiger Woods, Bob Tway and Payne Stewart have all won on Indian soil, while Indian professional golfers have competed on the Asian Tour, European Tour and US professional circuit.

With the country’s growing collection of internationally designed courses, diverse landscapes and the possibility of combining golf with remarkable cultural experiences, India has steadily established itself as an exciting destination for golfers from around the world.

“The most important shot in golf is the next one.” — Ben Hogan