If you’ve recently moved to India, there’s a high chance that it wasn’t for the golf. We’ve got a diverse and vibrant culture, amazing cuisine, stunning monuments throughout the country, tigers, yoga, and Ayurveda… There’s much to experience in this beautiful country.
But there’s even better news! Although cricket takes the top spot, India is home to a number of picturesque golf courses. If you’re a golfer who happens to be new to the country, we’ve put together an expat’s guide to the best golf courses in India so you know exactly where to start.
- DLF Golf and Country Club, Gurgaon
The DLF Golf and Country Club is an award-winning golf course in Gurgaon. It’s a well-known course, having hosted tournaments like the Johnnie Walker Classic and the inaugural Hero Indian Open.
Golfers of all abilities and tastes will enjoy a round here; between the 9-hole Arnold Palmer course and the full 18-hole Gary Player course with six sets of tees, there’s something for everyone to like.
The 18-hole course is split into Lake Nine and Quarry Nine and is a happy combination of exciting features that will leave even the most experienced golfers feeling the challenge!
Throughout the course, you’ll find plenty of rough, unique bunkers, and fast, undulating greens. The first few holes are relatively straightforward—a couple of doglegs, curvy fairways, and hole-hugging trees.
But the 5th hole throws the first curveball your way—an unexpected and unforgettable island green. Water makes an appearance on four of the remaining holes before moving onto the second nine—set in an old quarry that still retains many of the unique rock formations.
Did we mention that the 9-hole course is decked out with floodlights? If you fancy a round of night golf for something different or you get off work late, there’s no need to worry about darkness cutting your round short.
Lastly, if you’re planning on getting in a bit of practice before hitting the course, this is home to the first pro-Golf Academy in the country. Equipped with 2 hitting Studios, a Putting Lab, and a Fitness Studio, all kitted out with Trackman training aids and the best digital tech.
Contact the club in advance to book a tee time so you aren’t disappointed if you get there and it’s fully booked!
- Prestige Golfshire Club, Bangalore
Modern and sleek, the Prestige Golfshire Club in Bangalore looks out over the Nandi Hills and is a truly stunning course to play. It’s open to the public, so you can arrive whenever the mood strikes you to play a round.
Stretching to over 7,000 yards from the back tees, the course is a worthy opponent for experienced golfers. But it still presents a fair challenge to less experienced players from the 4 other tee options.
The course itself is pristine. Smooth green fairways and true greens make the game a lovely experience. The course is routed through various lakes and streams, and there’s a high chance that you’ll spot some of the local flora, fauna, and bird life as you move through your round.
There’s also a driving range, a lovely clubhouse, and a world-class restaurant—the Falcon Greens—for you to enjoy during your round. If you’d prefer a stay-and-play package, the JW Marriott Prestige Golfshire Resort and Spa located at the first hole will be happy to host you.
- Royal Springs Golf Course, Srinagar
With a spectacular view of the Zabarwan Hills, Royal Springs Golf Course has a “wow” kind of feeling to it. Surrounded by fruit trees and local flowers, you really feel like you’re out in beautiful nature, just you and the golf course ahead of you.
Golfers of all levels can expect a test, thanks to the curvy fairways and tricky greens. The signature hole is the famous 5th, a par-3 with an elevated green that affords you a magnificent view over Dal Lake.
Although there’s an abundance of nature throughout this course, be on your best behavior as the course is not forgiving. You’ll need to be forward-thinking and strategic, and golfers with a strong short game can expect a good score.
- Golden Greens Golf Course, Gurgaon, Haryana
Another public golf course in Gurgaon, Golden Greens Golf Course is somewhat different in design and layout from the others we’ve mentioned so far. The location is quite dry and arid, so the course plays quite rugged and has a links-like feel to it.
Playing against the Aravalli hills and set out in a grassy area, it stretches to over 7,100 yards from the back tees. It’s a surprisingly challenging course, considering the flat appearance. You can expect to encounter a few elevation changes, doglegs scattered throughout, and bunkers that are hard to miss.
Book in advance so the course isn’t full when you arrive!
- Delhi Golf Club, New Delhi
A parkland-style course with 27 holes in total, vegetation borders every hole, making this golf course feel intimate and leaving little room for error. The 18-hole Lodhi course is the pride and joy of the club, with 5 tee positions and a challenging layout. The 9-hole Peacock course is a better option for less experienced golfers.
They may not be the most aesthetic of courses, but both Lodhi and Peacock feature great fairways, although you need to be precise or risk getting caught in the trees. Undulating greens make putting a challenge and worth putting extra thought into.
Our expat’s guide to the best golf courses in India was put together to show you the top courses to play if you want the Indian golfing experience. Depending on where in the country you are, some of these courses may not be suitable as an option for a home course.
But they’re worth traveling for if you’re keen to experience as many courses as possible before you settle into one. Anyway, half the joy of playing golf is doing it at a new course every other round! It keeps things interesting and exciting, and a new course is always a fantastic opportunity to strengthen your game.
Of course, these are not the only beautiful courses in the country. Once you’ve played these 5, move on to other new and exciting courses. After all, the best golf courses in India truly do differ from person to person and opinion to opinion!
About the Author
Jordan Fuller is a retired golfer who has played on beautiful courses all over the world. When he’s not working on his game or coaching young golfers, he’s researching and writing golf-related articles for his website, Golf Influence.
