Modern Golf Development in India (1997 to Present)

Modern India is a fast-developing economy (currently the fifth largest economy in the world) with now the largest population, surpassing China this year. In the last 25 years, Golf has developed in India with a few well-known golf courses and large real estate companies focusing on catering to India's new wealthy individuals and their families with plush real estate options, five-star resorts and 18-hole championship golf courses designed by Nicklaus, Palmer, Player, Norman, etc. These large developments have now come more or less to a standstill, the last big one was developed by the Prestige Group, the Golfshire outside of Bangalore. It will be interesting to see if India can provide the necessary market for the future growth of these large developments as there is of course the issue of the availability of large land parcels near cities and the future growth of the real estate market.

The major successful golf developments in India are:

1. DLF Golf & Country Club, Gurgaon -

The DLF Golf and Country Club, located in DLF5 in Gurgaon, was opened in 1999, with the first Arnold Palmer Signature course in the country. The club featured many other firsts – the first course to offer Night Golf and the first professional Golf Academy in the country were some of them. The club offers something for the entire family – tennis, squash, swimming, basketball, and a gymnasium.

The parkland-style course soon grew to host some of the most coveted golf tournaments in the region. For the first time, the Johnnie Walker Classic, Asia’s premier event, was held in India at the DLF Golf & Country Club and was a resounding success. The Arnold Palmer Course staged six editions of the Women’s Indian Open (Ladies European Tour - 2007-12), three editions of the Avantha Masters (European Tour - 2010–12), the Indian Open (Asian Tour – 2009), and many other events of notable repute.

The Golf Academy grew to have the largest and the most successful junior program in the country and was also instrumental in introducing a big number of newcomers to the game.

The new Gary Player 18-hole Signature Course opened its first 9-holes in October 2013 and soon after opened the second 9-holes with the successful staging of the Women’s Indian Open for the seventh time followed by three more times. Not to forget, the Gary Player course also attracted the Hero Men’s Indian Open which was then held thrice at the Club. Widely recognized as the world’s most successful golf course architectural firm, Gary Player Design is renowned for its select and ecological approach to design. DLF took the lead in creating not only an excellent golf facility but also a township around golf, which has become a model to follow across the country. The course is a scenic parkland design with a dramatic landscape enhanced by ambient lighting.

The club also upgraded its facilities with the opening of a new golfer’s Pavilion in early 2015 equipped with new lockers, a restaurant and a bar. A well-stocked pro shop caters to all needs of a golfer. The Academy too underwent major upgradation during the same time and opened its Performance Centre, a state-of-the-art training facility at par with the best in the world. To cater to all food cravings, from sweet to savoury, we recently inaugurated the Café Under Par at the DLF Golf Academy.

2. Classic Golf & Country Club, Gurgaon -

South Asia’s first ever 27-hole Signature Golf Course designed by the legendary ‘Golden Bear’ Jack Nicklaus, Classic Golf & Country Club is the cynosure of the golfing community at the foothills of the picturesque Aravallis in the National Capital Region. It comprises an 18-hole signature Championship course – ‘Ridge’ & ‘Valley’ and a 9-hole signature Executive course – ‘Canyon’ spread over an expanse of 1.2 sq. kms.

One of the best Golf resorts near Delhi, Classic Golf & Country Club is the first truly International golfing destination in India. The retreat is nestled in a sprawling 300-acre verdant estate – only 37 kms. from the heart of India’s national capital & just 20 kms. away from the millennium city of Gurgaon; making it ideal for golfing getaways near Delhi.

3. Jaypee Greens Golf Resort, Greater Noida -

Operational since June 2000, Jaypee Greens, Greater Noida golf course is the only Greg Norman-designed golf course in India. The course is an 18-hole championship layout, designed with the firm belief of setting new standards for championship golf in India. Jaypee Greens Golf Resort- 18 hole course built on what was previously a flat featureless site, the design of the course involved the creation of several lakes. The earth from these lakes has been used to generate a dynamic, soft and undulating landform suitable for the laying out of 18 very exciting and challenging holes. From the championship tee, the golf course is strong and one of the longest in the world with a length of 7347 yards. Its gently rolling fairways are grassed using imported Bermuda grass. This grass has been selected for its exceptional performance and superior playing surface. The bunkering style at this 18-hole golf course in Greater Noida sets it apart from other courses in India. The bunkers are reminiscent of classic Melbourne sand belt courses including the world-famous Royal Melbourne and Kingston health layouts. The course landscaping includes considerable planting of open and closed woodlands, understory scrublands, wetlands and wild-grassed areas. The principle behind this Greater Noida golf course landscape is to create a very naturalized and private space free from the heat, dust, hustle and bustle outside.

4. Aamby Valley City Golf Club, Lonavala -

Aamby Valley City is an expansive resort city which included a golf course, about 45 minutes from Lonavala, a hill station in the Western Ghats about 2 hours from Mumbai. It is also a 2-hour drive from the city of Pune. The Aamby Valley Golf Resort, an 18-hole golf course designed by David Hemstock, laid out in a picturesque setting and playing through valleys surrounded by mountains which have taken unique shapes caused by wind erosion, is a great golf getaway. Immaculately maintained, the Aamby Valley golf course which hosts various reputed events, provides some interesting challenges, particularly with its up and down nature, made even more engaging with the contouring of the fairways, wild grasses which frequently come into play for and well thought out bunker placement.

5. Oxford Golf Resort, Pune -

Voted as one of the Top Golf & Leisure Destinations in India, it boasts Pune’s only 18-hole private golf course designed by Phil Ryan, Pacific Coast Design, golf academy, an all-suite hotel, and a leisure sports facility set amidst 136 acres, with close proximity to Pune.

6. Kalhaar Blues and Greens, Ahmedabad -

Unparalleled in size, grandeur and amenities, KBG easily is the one-of-its-kind happening in the history of real estate development in Gujarat. Nestled amongst 700 world-class villas, it houses one of India’s finest 18-hole golf course, designed by ‘Nicklaus Design’ the leading golf course designing firm owned by the legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus.

Kalhaar Blues and Greens are spread over a mammoth area of nearly 500 acres near Sanand and are poised to be the ultimate living destination for many in the city. Reachable within 15 minutes from the city, KBG encompasses nature’s treasure with its serene green environment and pristine lakes. The villas are exclusively crafted to cater to every possible need of their owners and are aesthetically designed to overlook the magnificent golf course.

7. Boulder Hills Golf Club, Hyderabad -

The Boulder Hills Golf & Country Club, Hyderabad is unique in appeal, given the natural landform of the place that comprises boulders and rocks – which not only provide an exceptional setting on most holes but are very much the obstacles to avoid – imagine a ball hitting one of these boulders! The course has been designed with care and with various elevated tees, the views are magnificent. The boulders, the course layout and the tall grass, which is in play on almost all the holes make the Boulder Hills golf club quite a challenge to end up with a good-looking scorecard.

8. Prestige Golfshire, Bangalore -

The Prestige Golfshire Club is a 275-acre premier golf course owned by the Prestige Group and managed on behalf of the owners group by the world’s largest golf management company Troon Golf, it is the jewel in the crown of India's Silicon Valley - Bangalore.

The Golfshire Club Course measures over 7,000 yards from the championship tees but offers golfers of levels the ability to play from 5 tee options. Employing the undulating contours of a links course and a distinctive bunker style, this golf course offers natural beauty and an uncompromised golfing experience.

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