The Indian Open

October 18^th-21^st at Karnataka Golf Association Bangalore

Golf in Bangalore will not be the same again. In what hopes to be a great boon for golf in the South, the Indian Open has made its début at the Karnataka Golf Association for the first time. Some of the best names on the Asian and European tours (along with some phenomenal desi talent) will descend onto India's first ‘silicon valley’.

This tournament is by far India’s biggest professional golfing event, it was conceived a few years ago and over the years has been gaining momentum and interest from players across the world. Just like other South East Asian nations, India has some very unique golf courses, even historic ones and it is important for large events such as these to draw attention to and golfers to these locations. There is a move afoot to rotate the location of the Indian Open. I am in favour of this because it allows different courses to experience this event, of course assuming the said golf course meets the minimum requirements set by the organizers.

Unfortunately this is the only major Indian golfing event of this scale. It is equally important to encourage more tournaments such as these. Rotating this event can help, but it begs the question, why does the entire future of Indian golf depend on this event. Can there not be many more events organized, and even the current tournaments that are played, shouldn't spectators be encouraged to view these events as well?

The effort that this tournament is making is applaud able and needs to be supported by all golfers in the across India.  I do hope people turn up in large numbers entry is free so bring your friends. This is a great showcase of what Indian Golf can be and what the future holds!

See you at the event! 

A very Interesting Golf Course....

Wellington is a small quiet outpost just outside the busy town of Conoor in the Nilgiris Mountains. This area of lush jungle provides a reprieve for residents who like a place of natural beauty reminiscent of what hill stations used to be. Earlier the area was occupied by plantation owners, and a small section of British troops. Along with them came some traditional British pass times, including golf.

The Wellington golf course was set up differently from other courses I have seen. It was a joint development between the plantation owners and the troops stationed there. The army provided the land and the plantation owners helped to develop and maintain the golf course. What makes this unique is that years after the British have left, this partnership continues. It is one of the few army courses that allow civilians to play and remain as members. Over the years the troops stationed here have greatly reduced, and only the Officers Academy remains.

Some Golfers hiking up to the Green 

It is evident that the course grew organically, as more land became available in response to demand and the number of players. This golf course is mostly a par 3 course, with a few par 4s and one par five. What is curious about this golf course is the design. It is quite evident that there was no prior planning for the interlinking of holes, and access, and comfort for the golfer. At some points one has to walk almost 300m     (through the college, across a road), to access the next hole. The course features some unique greens that are nearly vertical with steep inclines to get to them, which is a huge challenge and a great workout to get to the hole.

All said and done, it was fun to play to play here. It is unfortunately not a recognized golf course because of its design and shorter length of the holes. But as a fun round there is really nothing better. The course is kept in decent repair, with the greens protected through the year. The fairways have lost the original grass and are over run by a local zoysia variant which is more of a weed, but it is mowed down well enough to provide the golfer with a decent lie.

Another difference is that guests are allowed to use the clubhouse and play for a reasonable fee (not so in other nearby courses). Over the years the club has begun to limit the number of new members particularly civilians. This is unfortunate because this golf course displayed a unique relationship between the army and civilians; which I feel can be adapted to other army courses throughout India.

Wide Fairway, Beautiful Mountains.... Must be heaven

There are currently a little over 200 courses in India, and the army owns more than 50% of them. My thought is that the army can continue to own the course but the management can be outsourced to civilians in a partnership arrangement. This would keep the courses alive and promote the game as well. The critical part in all this is the willingness of the military to participate in such activities and their interest in developing sports such as golf. Thus far the military has been very possessive of the land they control and want to limit civilian interaction. I hope the day will come when civilians and the military can join forces in the interest to develop the greatest game ever played.

Coimbatore's Catalyst

Coimbatore has always been a popular business city. It has been the center of the textile industry in South India and after Chennai, is one of the biggest cities of Tamil Nadu. Interestingly this city never had a golf course until only recently. The Coimbatore club was only developed in the late 1980’s but was some distance from the city. There was no other choice for golfers. If they needed to play another course the nearest one was 2 hours away in Ooty. Now there will be some variety, as an international standard golf course is being created in the city and it hopes to raise the standard of golf in the city and revitalize the game in the state of Tamil Nadu.

A View of the Golf Course

Welcome to the world of the Kovai Hills Golf and Country Club. This super luxury development is slated to be one of the largest in South India and the first of its kind for any Tier 2 city. The project is spread over 1000 acres and will include an international school, super specialty hospital, multiplex and shopping mall, luxury villas and apartments, a tennis academy and one of the largest club houses in the South. And of course… the international standard 18 hole golf course.  

 The golf course will feature pas palim through the green. This is a very demanding course, which requires an accurate driver off the tee along with solid approach shots to score well. The course is also very windy which adds to the challenge and the well placed bunkers ensure any wayward shots will not be forgiven. The backdrop of the course is truly spectacular with the name sake ‘Kovai Hills’ watching over the golfer through his round. The pas palim grass adds a beautiful color to the course and makes it challenging to putt as it can hide some of the subtle breaks on the green.  The course also features a unique 9 hole executive golf course that is attached to the driving range. The golf course plans to use this to use this in its coaching program, as the par three course is more effective to train on. The course plans to leverage this and become one of the best coaching facilities in the south.

This is the second development of this nature that I have seen after the Boulder Hills Golf course. It is evident that for now the golf industry appears to be heading in the direction of luxury developments because it is expensive to have a stand alone golf facility. This development is the first of its kind in a tier two city like Coimbatore. Can a large scale development like this be successful? And is there a demand for such a golfing lifestyle? Only time will tell…

Some Stunning Visuals As One Plays Golf

In recent times the number of these luxury developments have been increasing and it is about time that the state of Tamil Nadu had a premier golfing destination. Most of the activity has been restricted to the North, with some golf courses in the south now making news with the quality of their golf course. Cities like Bangalore have always been the best known golfing destinations in the South. It is important that this has spread to other cities in different states. The Kovai Hills golf course hopes to establish itself as a premier training center and golf course and I think this could be a big boon for that cit city and state. I believe it would build interest in the city of Coimbatore, and put it on the golfing map. Coimbatore needed a catalyst to take it into the 21^st century, and why not through golf…?

Golfing at Coimbatore

Coimbatore is one of India’s largest centers for cotton manufacturing and has been this way for years. The relatively cool climate at the Nilgiris foothills provides a welcome change from the humidity of Chennai. Being one of the business centers of the country and especially so during the British raj, it is interesting that there was no golf course developed here until the late 1980s.

The pride and joy of the golf ourse... its greens

The Coimbatore Golf Club history is unique; in fact it could well be the oldest private club in South India. The golf course was created by a few enterprising local gentlemen who decided that the city would benefit from a good golf course closer to Coimbatore, rather than having to travel up to Coonoor or Ooty. They believed it would improve tourism in the area, especially as this was inherently a business town and golf is regarded as a business and recreational sport.

The Coimbatore golf club is spread over 90 acres; unfortunately it is almost 20km from the city which makes access to the property difficult. The course is very well laid out with rolling fairways that are lined with trees (there are some trees in the middle of the fairway that can be tiresome for the golfer!). The greens are the pride and joy of the course and feature bent grass and are some of the quickest in the South. The hidden breaks on the greens make this course more challenging. The fairways on the other hand feature a mix of a local grass. They have limited maintenance due to cost pressures, but for the most part they are mowed and relatively playable. There are not too many hazards on this course and the fairways are open, so getting to the green is no problem; the real challenge is putting the ball in the cup!

The trees are a very familiar sight on the course

Over the years the course has been through tough times. Unfortunately the distance from the city has not worked in its favor. Not many members visit the course during weekdays. The green fees are pretty steep for affiliated members, so guest visits as well have begun to slow down.  This course has a history and reputation with the people of Coimbatore but now it needs major rejuvenation. It is one of the most beautiful with peacocks and peahens roaming the fairways. It even hosts one of the most unique tournaments, the Coimbatore Open, where the winner is given a grey jacket, in similar fashion as the masters.

The course now is facing competition from a new development project, the Kovai Hills Golf Course which is being developed much closer to the city. The club needs to reinvent itself to combat this new difficulty. In the future I hope this club will innovate to attract more golfers locally and out of state, perhaps even lowering the green fees. The course already has a place in the hearts of the people and this can be leveraged.

The next few years for this course are crucial, there is still time to rebuild its image and become the most beautiful course in Coimbatore. It would be a shame for the course, with its illustrious past, to fade away; though it will never die… it will be shadow of what it once was…

The Mental Side of Golf...

Golf has never been an considered a physical sport of exertion; however, the fluidity of the perfect golf swing is addictive to both professional and amateur and drives one to take the game to the next level. The interesting part is: The competition is primarily ‘You’.

Producing that perfect golf swing requires a complex coordination of muscles in the human body, ranging from the scapular muscle in the shoulder all the way to the gluteus muscle behind the quadriceps. This means the perfect golf swing is achieved by practice and repetition, (similar to improving your math… or maybe a dance step), imprinting on the mind what one hopes to achieve by sending the electrical impulses to the required muscles. Unfortunately this is not an exact science as it takes time for the brain to reinforce this coordinated movement; as a result one occasionally has a bad shot, when the brain defocuses and triggers the wrong combination of muscles. Harnessing the brain to enable the execution of a pre planned strategic shot requires training and focus beyond what the brain is normally called upon to do.

This aspect of golf has always fascinated me, where the sport is really a harnessing of one’s mind and the calmer mind is the better one to play with. Every person who has played the game reasonably well is aware of this. Unfortunately one does not really perform many mental exercises to prepare for a round, even ones as simple as running through the entire round in the mind before play. Over the years, the link between the game of golf and the ‘mental side’ has only gotten stronger, so that now even amateur golfers looking to improve their game are encouraged to harness the power of the mind.

In recent times Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) has become popular, especially in the area of self help and development. NLP utilizes the power of positive thought to encourage and bring about a positive change in behavior of an individual. This process operates at the subconscious level of the human brain and the changes made can be subtle. Yet the effect it has on ones outlook and even performance is dramatic.

Can there be a marriage of these two ideas? As a single digit handicapper, is it possible for mental training and technique to take ones game to the next level? Even for the average golfer, can a little more concentration over a putt, or a more positive outlook on a certain shot lead to more consistency, thereby positively impacting one’s game? As discussed the golf swing is a coordinated movement of a number of moving parts, with the control center in the brain. Anything that can enhance this brain control will certainly impact the attitude and physical output of the golfer in his game.

There are golfing comments, ‘not to think too much over a shot’ and ‘take ones head out of the game’ but the key to this is mental detachment is not systematically taught. Good mental training can benefit the golfer as he strives to take his game to the ‘next level’. I believe NLP could be one such idea to achieve this… Could there be any other? Golf is not about hitting that 300 yard drive once; it’s training your mind to hit that 280 yard drive 18 times in a row, right down the middle.

Some Final Thoughts After my Visit

On this trip I was exposed to three very distinct styles of golf, and threes of the most common seen in India today; the extremely private and exclusive golf development, the association style of club, and army golf. It is interesting to see that golfing as a hobby or as an interest has always been part of the history of an area, be it in an army golf course or association style. Now there is a third dimension being added that of the luxury golf courses. In the next few years the golf industry is bound to transform as interest in the game is increasing. Barely a few years ago members of the armed forces would have laughed if their junior officers had even suggested that they wanted to learn and play golf. Now there are inter battalion tournaments and in some courses they help the officers themselves become better golfers!

Unfortunately I have slowly begun to realize that golf is heavily influenced by the area that it is in. for instance in the metros of India, developing and encouraging people to take interest in the game is much easier than if one was in a tier 3 city. On the other hand the metros also serve as a model to replicate for other cities as people tend to be aspirational and want to emulate the lifestyle they see in the metros. In either instance the sport must trickle down to encourage more participation from various sections of society, golf needs to be embraced by many other individuals. And all three styles of golfing developments can serve to do this. I am confident in the future there are going to be many more cities with such a variety of developments attached, the golf bug seems to be spreading and it is exciting to see where next it strikes!  

Poona Golf... Army Style

Golf has been a part of the history of Pune. With the Poona club being one of the oldest courses in the city along with the 3 other army courses, the EME course, NDA Course and RSI Southern Star golf course.  In fact a tournament is organized between these four courses, and is played to this day. This is one of the oldest tournament shields being played in the country. The third stop on my visit takes me to the RSI Southern Star Army golf course, one of the four in the said tournament shield.

This course was created a number of years ago during the British raj and was used only by the military stationed in the area. To this day it remains so, with only military personnel (ex service or existing officers) being allowed to use the club. However, this course does have an understanding with the members of the Pune club where a reciprocal arrangement has been created, but they are the only civilians who are allowed to the use the club.

Being a small course, some holes double back on each other

The RSI golf course is located in the cantonment area of the army and close to the residents quarters for the officers and ex service men. The course is also short in length and of a compact design. Due to the short length one is able to finish a round in a short period of time, which makes it very popular as they can easily schedule their time around golf because it takes much less time to play. The course features American blue grass on the greens and tees. This golf course has a limited number of golfers who use it, much smaller than the Poona club etc, thus maintenance of the course is very expensive. The course thus follows only basic maintenance practices and ensures the fairways have good lies, with the greens and the tees being protected.

Some of the holes on the golf course are very unique. One hole runs right next to a railway station, with numerous locomotives passing by, which is sight one does not get to see very often on a golf course. The area on which the course is constructed is an environmental park and as a result there are a variety of trees and animals that inhabit the course. This land also contributes as a major lung for the city of pune.

A view of the finishing hole of the course

Unfortunately golf is a very restricted sport in the army that is generally played by officers and some junior officers. However in recent times there has been a shift in the mind set, especially with the armies mission Olympics and golf being named as an Olympic sport. One hopes that more young talent will be nurtured and encouraged to play the game.  Currently more than 50% of all the golf courses in india are controlled by the army. this can potentially be a huge resource if more personson are allowed to use these facilities. unfortunately like the pune course, entry to the army area is restricted for civilians thus the will and the interest to encourage the game must some from within the army. This depends on the commandant and the golf secretary, and since postings are only for three years in one area continuity of policies is questionable.

As interest in golf grows the army will become more willing to let individuals learn the game and golf becoming an Olympic sport is a huge support for this idea. In the few years since, there has been an increase in participation in inter service tournaments, and even some commands have begun to organize inter battalion and regiment golf tournaments. This is extremely encouraging especially with the amount of resource the army has. 

Oxford Golf and Country Club…Raising the Bar

The second stop on my trip to Pune took me to one of the newest luxury developments in the region, the Oxford Golf and Country Club. This project is located 5 km away from the city and covers approx 1100 acres of land. It marks the first major development that is close to the city of Pune (The Sahara Amby Valley is 1.5 hours away from Pune). This project envisages a large number of villas and bungalows that will surround the golf course, with some even nestled in the surrounding hills. The project shall also feature a five star hotel and one of the largest club houses in India on over 10,000 sqft. 

One of the many tough bunkers on the course

Although in its early stage, with only the golf course completed, it is truly spectacular as it is situated on the slopes that surround the Symbiosis Campus. The course is very tight and the greens are quick which make a deadly combination. However a few holes are wide and flat, offering some respite for the golfer. There are numerous sand traps both on the fairways and the green, requiring a solid mid iron game. The course features a Pas Palim grass though the green that is well maintained by a comprehensive and mechanized course maintenance department.

The style of golf on the course is different, where only carts are used and no walking is allowed (the golf course does offer caddies and fore caddies). The main reason for this was the length of the holes and the distances between greens and subsequent tees being greater than most courses. This style of golf is new with only a few golf courses moving in this direction and it remains to be seen how successful this will be. So far this course has 65 carts and plans add at least another 50 by the end of the year. So, as one can imagine, playing the course is on the expensive side, with green fees at Rs.3000 for a guest in addition to Rs.1000 for the cart and Rs.250 for the caddie. 

An Aerial View of the Oxford Golf Course

The Oxford Golf Club showcases a new style of golfing development that is becoming more popular in India. It is and a move away from the traditional stand alone courses. However, these projects continue to make golf more exclusive especially with the higher green fees. Unfortunately, creating a golf course requires high capital cost that can only be offset if there is another activity taking place on the land besides golf. Developments such as these showcase the potential for golf in the Indian market. Golf is a new idea, a new concept and it is difficult to predict what shape or form the industry will take. Here, golf is being used to project a lifestyle that is very different to what I experienced at the Pune Club golf course.

Surrounded by the Mountains...

This development, unlike the Pune Club is very new; 2-3 years old. it is just building a reputation and an image for itself, something the Pune Club course has been able to achieve by sheer dint of being around longer.  As the project continues to take shape, I am sure it will carve out a niche for itself in the Indian golf industry. I am very keen to observe the future of this course as it sets the bar high for new courses in India. In the coming months the massive club house will be completed as well as ground breaking for the hotel and other facilities. This poses some very real competition for the likes of Aamby Valley.

The bar just keeps being raised as I visit more courses throughout this beautiful country.

The Poona Club

Poona over the past few years has been developing rapidly especially as the Mumbai is busting at the seams. In the past few years a number of corporations have set up their operations there and have contributed in a major way to the further development of the city. The recent introduction of the Mumbai-Poona express way; has only helped matters as connectivity between these two cities has greatly improved something that many other states are hoping to emulate. The game of golf as well has seen a similar increase in interest. From just a few army courses where entry was restricted and one accessible golf course the Poona Club Golf Course, the city has grown to have two golf developments, the Aamby Valley City and the Oxford Golf and country club and a few more on the cards. The first stop on my visits to the golf clubs here takes me to the historic Poona Club Golf Course.

The Poona Golf Club is one of the oldest courses in the city at just over 100 years. It has been part of the city for time immemorial. The golf club was initially started by the British who were stationed there. Once the British left it was handed over to its name sake, the Poona Club to be maintained and managed by them. The Poona Club is a very old club and one of the most prestigious in the city. Since then the course has been managed by them, initially for the members of Poona Club only. In recent past the course has allowed people to become members of the golf club only, separate from the Poona club, as it became un feasible with the total number of members at the Poona Club totaling close to 4000.  

The course at the Poona Club is well laid out. It is quite flat and also reasonably short. The longest hole on the course is just over 560 yards (must check that before posting). The layout of the fairways is also forgiving with not many fairway bunkers to trouble the golfer. the length of a few holes can be daunting to look at from the tee, but with only green side bunkers to deal with one can easily ‘go for the green’.  The course features an American blue grass on the greens and the tees. Unfortunately the fairways have almost been completely overrun by weeds. This has been one of the biggest problems for this course. a few years ago the course attempted to solve this problem by relaying the entire fairway. However, the weeds were back again nearly 3 years later. For now the course is choosing to protect the greens and the tees from the weed and some parts on the fairway where the original grass prevails. The rest the course is mowing down and make it as flat and playable as possible. 

One beautiful feature on this course however is the number of trees. This truly makes this course one of the most beautiful. the course has been trying for while to get more visiting guests and junior programs started in the club. The membership base that it has is able to sustain it through the season, but the course wants to attract more tournaments etc. One method it is using is to encourage a number of PGTI pros to train here. This is an intriguing idea; especially it is vying to become the home course for some top Maharastran pros. This idea moves away from the conventional idea of having a teaching pro with the golf course, but building a golf course around a few existing professionals and allowing members to be part of the privilege to use the same driving range they do etc…

Golfers in Poona seem to have been bitten by the golf bug many years ago, and it is safe to say that the enthusiasm for the game has not changed. After the summer season when the golfing season resumes this course is extremely busy, with a packed tee sheet on the weekends and at least a 100 people using the course during the day. One blot on this otherwise beautiful paradise is the weeds. I believe a probable cause could be the water it is using on the course, as it is not filtering the water before it sprays it. Maybe using some agents or a quick filtration unit could benefit the club, especially since it has a very active and enthusiastic golfing audience. 

If this is the start to my adventure in this city I cannot wait for the next…!

Golconda Golf

Hyderabad is truly a spectacular destination to travel to in the south. It is rich in history and has some of the tastiest biryani you will eat (…paradise biryani…yumm). Over the years this quiet town has slowly mushroomed into a sprawling well laid out city on the verge of becoming one of the new Metros of India.  Golf has been an important part of Hyderabad for a number of years. The army has many golf courses that were patronized by golf addicts from the city.  Over time the need arose to have a separate golfing facility of superior quality that would be committed to the development of the game in Hyderabad. Thus the Hyderabad Golf Club was born.

A view of the Golf Course

The Hyderabad golf club is located behind the Qutub Shai tombs, with the back drop of the Golconda Fort. This makes it a truly spectacular golf course. All the holes of the golf course are played in the shadow of the fort with some even skirting the fort wall. This golf course is close to 10 years old and the land was allocated by the Department of Tourism. Earlier this area was used as a garbage disposal area by the Hyderabad Municipality and it is safe to say the golf course is a welcome change. The total land allocated was 200 acres but the course is situated on only 75 acres of land. The remaining has been under litigation due to some environmental agencies opposing the construction of the golf course in such close proximity to a national heritage monument. In recent years many of the cases have been won, with the Archaeological Department itself claiming that the golf course would be a good buffer in the area, ensureing the surrounding areas do not fall into disrepair.

The Organic Water Treatment Plant

The layout of the golf course is incomplete being short in length with only 9 greens at present. This nine can be repeated with different hole locations to offer 18 holes for the time being. The greens are tight and prudent approach shots are necessary for the golfer. However the fairways are forgiving which takes some pressure off the golfer. The interesting aspect of this course is that it is completely self sufficient in water. In fact even during the harsh summer temperature of 38 degrees centigrade, the course is brilliant green! The course is conveniently located around a sewage drain and has developed its own sewage treatment plant and treats enough water to sustain the golf course 365 days a year. As this water is not potable, for other purposes, the course purchases water from the city but the savings from the water treatment plant are immense.  The grass on the course is a local variety and responds to the water used. The course features tiff dwarf on the greens and a local ‘dhup’ grass on the fairways.

A view from the club house

This visit provided a lot of food for thought. For one, could the development of golf courses around heritage structures be a solution to promoting the site and the game, especially since the tourism department has so actively endorsed it in this state? The idea of utilizing the sewage water offers another solution to the huge demand for water faced by any golf course. The treatment plant itself is fairly uncomplicated and uses organic techniques to treat the water, (percolation through the soil, settling and re percolated). I believe this golf club is poised to become one of the most beautiful in the country. In recent times the course has been able to resolve many of its issues and begin developing the latter part of the property. I eagerly look forward to revisiting this course which would have transformed itself and the heritage area around it. 

Golfing in the territory of the ‘Super Kings’

For the past few years Chennai has dominated the cricket scene with the ‘Chennai Super Kings’ bagging the coveted DLF IPL championship two years in a row. Although it has had its share of cricket and tennis fans, there has never been such fervor in the game as expressed today. The game of golf too in Chennai has steadily been developing in terms of players and facilities and is all set to capture hearts and fans in this South Indian City.

In the last 5 years this city has witnessed an explosion in the number of golf courses. Earlier the city had one private golf course (the Madras Gymkhana) and a few army courses. Now the city has 3 private courses, another two in the pipe line and even a standalone driving range with a 9 hole executive course! One of the main reasons for the increase e in popularity of the sport is the growing number of MNC’s who have setup operations in Chennai. Another factor is the return of NRI’s (Non Resident Indians) who understand the importance of golf from a business and recreational perspective.

Interestingly golf has been a very old sport in Chennai, the 130 year old Madras Gymkhana being one of the oldest clubs in India, after the Royal Calcutta Golf Club in Kolkatta. In fact one of the oldest running shields in the golfing world is played between the Bangalore Golf Club (the third oldest course in India at 128 years) and the Madras Gymkhana Club.

On my visit to the golf course of the Madras Gymkhana, I discovered it is a unique 18 hole par  70 golf course located in the middle of the Madras Race Course (horse racing). The course covers 100 acres with tight fairways and small greens that demand accurate approach shots from the golfer. The course also features 3 par 5’s which demand prudent play with one of these par 5’s being 603 yards from the championship tee. During the summer the course plays slightly easier as the fairways are drier and the ball does not hold. The most interesting feature is playing golf in the shadow of the race course, where even on a non racing day, one can hear the din of cheers and the hype of the announcer as races and results of events held elsewhere are broadcast over the PA system. Golfing is allowed only on non racing days. I thought it was excellent use of vast land that lies unused on the inside of a racing track. The facilities and buildings of the turf club are shared with the golf course. 

One of the main challenges facing developers in the city is the availability of land. As the city of Chennai has expanded, the cost of land has more than doubled. This high cost also makes development of courses questionable, as the land could possibly be better suited for large scale housing which is a priority social need. Another challenge is water. Courses such as the Madras Gymkhana and the Officers Training Academy have an advantage because they are situated virtually in the heart of Chennai. However transport and availability of water tends to become more difficult and expensive for those located on the outskirts.

These constraints have been overcome by some of the golf courses. In fact, the Cosmopolitan Club has developed its own in house water treatment plant that enables it to reuse sewage water. The Madras Gymkhana Club has similar plans to purchase treated recycled water from a hotel nearby.

In recent times golf has been dormant in India, with only a handful of clubs offering membership and not much of an ‘active interest’ shown by the public for the game. Things are now changing. I believe that the change in how golf was perceived in Chennai could reflect a transformation in attitude towards the sport in other parts of the country as well. As the country develops, more people become affluent, the number of NRI’s return home and the inflow of foreign tourists and expats increase, demand for the game is bound to rise. In Chennai today, avid golfers are members of not one, but at least three golf clubs (the Madras Gymkhana, Cosmopolitan and the Kodai Golf Club). All this in the span of the last five years…  I cannot wait to see the transformation in golf in other parts of our country!

The Best in India Arrive in Bangalore

30 of indias best, 3 days, 1.2 crores. The Louis Philippe Cup was the first team match play golf tournament to be held in Bangalore. The field of 30 players was divided into 10 teams, representing the major cities in India. For three days golf addicts were treated to the best in Indian golf. It was a rare treat to watch these players in one setting, competing for the same prize. What made this tournament even more special was that spectators were able to walk on the course, and follow players, something that was never allowed or encouraged before.

Golf in India is a relatively new sport, and it is important to encourage the game. Initiatives such as the Louis Philippe are necessary to generate interest in the sport and encourage new players. In India, sports such as golf tend to play second fiddle to cricket, as it is considered very exclusive primarily due to the high cost of equipment and the lack of access to golf facilities.

Events such as the Louis Philippe cup are important as it showcases talent in the sport. It draws attention to dominating players who may go on to make a mark for themselves and India in the global arena. The spectator format encourages the golfers, as this can be a very lonely sport even at the tournament level, with very little public appeal and T.V coverage.

Interestingly some of the golf players in India have been caddies at golf courses and through sheer determination and raw talent have made a name for themselves; case in point, Mr. Muniappa from the Karnataka Golf Association, who has been a winner on the Asian circuit. It is tournaments such as these that prove there is interest to take the sport to the next level, which will encourage more Indians to play golf.

There is a growing section of society in India that appreciates golf and is fueling the demand for new golf courses. I am excited to be entering the industry at this time. I believe the Louis Philippe Cup should be the first of many tournaments of this nature. From restricted entry to courses, people are now allowed to walk, follow, and be up close with the golf stars. Something is changing in the golf world of India; watch out, the elephant is moving! 

An Organic Golf Course

The Kodai Golf Club, situated on 95 acres of forest in Kodaikanal is one of India’s more beautiful golf courses. During the summer season its fairways are lined with flowering trees that make some of the holes look truly magnificent. At a height of 7000 ft the course is long, very hilly and is by no means easy to play. It also does not help that the ball flies much further here than at sea level. Playing a round of golf here is very affordable, requiring only a valid handicap card from ones home golf course. A round of golf costs USD 5 for 9 holes and USD 10 for 18 holes.

The Club House of the Kodai Golf Club (approx 116 years old)

For the better part of the year this course remains quite empty; this allows the members to have a relaxed round of golf (at times the number of players are down to even 4 for the day). This golf course is small in terms of total membership, with only 339 members. Out of these, only 20 are from the local area. Most of the members are from the metros and use this club as a holiday destination during the summer.

As this golf course does not see very much play, it can be costly to maintain. However this golf course has developed methods to overcome this, which could be worthy of emulation by small and remote golf courses. No chemical fertilizers or pesticides are used on this course. It follows the practice of bio dynamics that attempts to return nutrients to the soil through the application of prepared manure. On the greens the golf course uses a mixture of cow dung, urea, eggshells and some sand that is dried in a compost pit. This mixture is spread over the greens, and has yielded good results, where the greens stayed alive even through the harsh winter. The golf course also uses an interesting mix as fungicide and pesticide. For this, cow dung, urea, ghee, over ripe bananas and tender coconut are mixed and allowed to ferment together. Water is added in a 1:10 ratio. This is sprayed on the grass of the fairways and greens when required. This opens up many possibilities in terms of reducing the cost of course maintenance. This organic focus would also cause less harm to the environment.

The in house fertilizer and pesticide manufacturing area

On the other hand, this golf course is small in terms of its local membership size (20 members), and total number of rounds. Further this course is located in the mountains where the numbers of ‘pests’ are less. Cow dung is a great source of nutrient and can attract some unwanted pests especially in the warmer climates. It remains to be seen if these methods can be applied to the courses in metros that see far more footfalls and usage in a single day leading to intensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to maintain the green appearance of the fairways.

The organic maintenance of golf courses is a very new subject, and I believe, in a place like India, it has a real potential. Golf courses are generally located away from the city and transporting fertilizers can be a huge cost. Locally available growth promoters could be an answer although organic solutions may not yield quick results.  It remains to be seen if the Kodai Golf Course organic model can be effectively used by golf courses in other locations as well. 

An Elitist Sport of India

This is a follow up of my earlier post ‘An Island in a Sea of Development’. After my visit to the Bombay Presidency Club, I realized that something was not right. In a city, referred to as ‘maximum city’ of India, there are only three golf courses, while Bangalore has 8 and growing! So I started to pay attention to what I saw around me in Mumbai that could explain this conundrum, even as I visited the second golf course in the area the Wellingdon Sports Club. 

The Club House of Wellingdon Sports Club

The Wellingdon Sports Club is located in South of Mumbai, close to Mahalaxmi train station, opposite the Mumbai racecourse. It is very easy to access the club; with options of train, bus, local taxis and auto rickshaws. The club unfortunately does not offer accommodation. It allows guests to play at the golf course for a green fee of USD 30 for 18 holes, while members of the Indian golf Union (IGU) receive a 50% discount. Caddy fees are a flat USD 4, and carts are available only for use by senior members.  Guests to the golf course do not automatically have access to other facilities of the sports club.

This golf course is relatively small; built over 35 acres; it is a par 65 course. It features only one par 5 for the 18, and is a ‘Compact Course’ design. The grass is a local variety and extends to the greens as well.  The course is short and the fairways are narrow. It is possible to keep the driver in the bag and have a very good round. There are even a few holes where it is possible for one to drive the green.  The course provides for a very enjoyable round of golf, which can be completed in fewer than 2 and half hours.

A view of the Practice Area of Wellingdon Sports Club

The sports club has a total membership base of 7000 and offers a variety of sports including tennis, cricket, badminton, squash, swimming and billiards. It is very interesting that only around 10% are golfers. This is in spite of the presence of a trained LPGA, and PGA (UK) coach, Kiran Kanwar, a current playing lady pro, Mita, heading the golf sub committee and a green fee of only Rs. 10 for the members if they should want to play. Still there have been few takers. It is my humble opinion that maybe golf in this club is competing with other sports, and an unfair comparison is being made, where parents would rather send their kids to play tennis and get more exercise in less time than it takes to play golf. 

Hole No. 1 of Wellingodn Sports Club

There is also another view, that golf in Mumbai is a very exclusive sport. For instance the demographic of members in both these clubs (Bombay Presidency and Wellingdon Sports Club) shows that one has to be affluent to have any form of access to golf courses. To promote the game, clubs can organize events such as nature walks, bird watching and environment talks at the course, to at least bring members to visit the facility. The club also needs to be more supportive of talent, and encourage youth from the community to join through student memberships. This could generate new interest in the game, and encourage more of the non-playing members to take up the sport. However it remains to be seen if the older members will allow newcomers to walk the hallowed grounds…

An Island in the Sea of Development

Would you believe if I said that 84 acres of green land exits in the heart of Mumbai? I would bet that more than half would laugh, and still others would wonder if one is talking about the same city. Over the years India’s maximum city has expanded so quickly that people have forgotten that there were empty lands once upon a time. However these oasis of green do exist, in the form of the Bombay Presidency Golf Course.

The golf course is located in Chembur, near the Diamond Garden. The course features relatively wide rolling fairways, and reasonably fast greens.  The grass is pas palim on the greens as well as the fairways.  Pas palim is unique as it is a salt water grass it also has a rich green color (it is possible to see shadows of the mowing on the fairways and the green), which is important to the golf club. The golf club also offers carts for hire (they are available at 500 for 18 holes and 250 for 9), however for seniors carts are available at 250 for 18 and 125 for 9. The course also offers caddies at 200 for an 18 hole round, if they are unavailable one has the option at using a trolley for free. Either way a trolley is available on hire for Rs. 50 for the round.

The Club House of Bombay Presidency Golf Club

This golf club is primarily a tournament course, and features at least one tournament a week, be it a club event or a local sponsored event, and even a professional event. The golf course is a par 72, and features multiple doglegged holes, that demand prudent second shots form the golfer. Any wayward shots end up OB, so it is important to be selective where one decides to pull out the driver.  The course offers junior coaching programs for the 'younger' members; members have access to a well qualified teaching staff, with two class A teaching pros. Accessing the golf course is also relatively easy, as it is just off the eastern express highway, or if coming from the station it is a very short auto ride away. Busses are also available, however no AC bus stops outside the golf club. The club also offers accommodation on site for out of town visitors, at Rs. 3924 for a regular room. Green fees vary for guests and members. For guests it depends on the affiliated club and the reciprocal arrangement that was established. Walk on guests are not permitted at the course.

Hole No.1 at Bombay Presidency Golf Club

The club has some very strict rules about guests, and this could be choking the development of the game in the region. This is because it reduces the number of individuals who have access to the club, and thus makes it difficult for people to take an interest in the game, because first they need a membership which is either non existent in some clubs, or would cost them Rs.28, 00,000! Could the be a reason why golf is not a very popular sport in India? There has to be a change, a maximum city cannot have minimum golf courses.  

Travelling by Train to see the Green

To visit the Bombay Presidency Golf Course, I decided to travel by the infamous Indian Railways. This really did not seem like a bad idea, given the turmoil in Kingfisher Airlines, I might just have end up in Bangalore Airport, not going anywhere!

It was a very pleasant journey. For a change the bedding was clean and the blankets not insect ridden. However the toilets remain offensive and bring you back down to earth with a very smelly thud. But all in all it was a very comfortable journey. There are sellers forcing you to buy virtually anything, from books to ice cream and everything in between. This is so typical of train travel in India.

For little over USD 23 I’d say that this is not a bad deal. I do believe the railways have improved (or it could just be this one train). I was extremely skeptical at first, but I have warmed up to the experience. The fellow passengers are friendly and love to chat.  I am actually looking forward to my return journey…

Kohlapur: Golfs Next Frontier

A Typical Fairway

Kohlapur is a small town on the border of Maharashtra and Karnataka, approximately 9.5 hours drive from Bangalore. This town interestingly sells the largest number of Mercedes Benz cars in the whole of India. The economy of this town is linked to sugar, with a large number of factories, and sugar cane plantations located in this region. This area has also benefitted from a majority of Mumbaikars who want to move away from the crowded city of Mumbai. Kohlapur is steeped in history as this city was the seat of the Maratha Empire. To this day the palace still exists; however, it is not as elaborate as the palace of the Mysore maharaja; but is still a very prominent site to visit.

For such a wealthy city that features many of India’s HNIs (High Net-Worth Individuals), there is only one golf course; the EPTA Kohlapur. This is an army golf course, and features Browns (not greens). The fairways too, are very rocky and feature sparse amounts of grass. It appears that water is a concern and expensive, especially to keep a large area like a golf course alive and green. 

An Image of a Brown

The most interesting feature was the ‘browns’. They are created in the same manner as greens, i.e. a 3ft deep circular hole is made, it is laid with rocks, sand and brick for proper drainage, and the top layer is plaster made out of cow dung. Finally a layer of sand is added to provide some resistance to the ball. I believe this is a fascinating concept, and can in fact encourage golf in some of the most difficult terrain in the world! It is made more appealing because, if one wants to lay grass, all it requires is to remove the layer of plaster since the structure of the Brown is sound and conducive to grass growth. It also makes golf economical as one could create a golf course cheaply with browns, and as the profitability improves, add grass to the greens, rather than incur a very large up-front cost in the beginning which takes numerous years to recover.  This can allow golf to be created in the toughest conditions in the world, as it makes it proves a fallacy that you only need green grass to play golf.

See it to believe it 40 players!

Of course, before I get ahead of myself, whether or not people will want to play on a brown is questionable, but this whole concept has got me thinking, and has fired my imagination. What is the extent people will go to play the game? Even though this golf course only has browns there was still a tournament which had more than 40 people playing, on the day I visited!!! This really gives a new meaning to the phrase ‘avid golfer’.  I am intrigued by what I saw in Kohlapur, and will try to pursue this line thought. This can be a way, although extreme, of making golf affordable. Am I wrong in thinking that this could be a potential solution… what do you think?

Military Approach to Golf

It is interesting that over 50% of all golf courses India are owned by the Indian military. These courses are generally not open to the public. However, there are some that do offer civilians the opportunity to play for a green fee. All the army courses are classified as EPTA or ‘Environmental Park and Training Area’.  The golf courses owned by the military are very old and some of them were in fact created by the British, such as the MEG golf course in Bangalore, and the Dhaula Khan Golf course in Delhi, to name a few.

Well maintained Green: MEG Bangalore

As the military operates with a tight budget, it is a challenge for them to manage a full-fledged golf course. Some of the army golf courses operate on a budget as low as USD 2000. This forces the supervisor to be creative in deciding priority areas for maintenance. The common practice is to give more focus to the greens, as seen on the picture on the left, (courtesy MEG, Madras Engineering Group, Bangalore) while the fairways usually are barely maintained with occasional mowing. I believe this may be sufficient for these courses as the total number of rounds per month is around 40.

One of the biggest advantages however that the military has over other golf courses is its access to labor. The military can assign a large numbers of individuals at a time to ensure proper maintenance of the golf course. The area of concern is the direction that they are receiving. This is because it depends heavily on the interest displayed by the golf secretary. Another issue is the lack of continuity in appointments and policies which will hurt the golf course in the long run and prevent it from attaining its full potential.

In this situation credit has to be given to those who work to maintain the army golf courses. Despite the lack of funds, proper machinery, and at times a lack of man power, these few interested hawaldars of the Indian army are able to ensure good maintenance of the greens, and keep them alive. I say ‘hats off’ to them, and I will help in whatever little way I can.

Some de-weeding being conducted: MEG Bangalore