My Visit to the Coorg Golf Links

Nestled amongst the quiet plantations of the Kodagu (Coorg) country side is the Coorg Golf Links. This golf course is a semi private association golf course. It is also one of the few 18-hole golf courses in the region. It is very picturesque, surrounded rolling hills on all four sides. This golf course one of the newest in the region and was developed by enthusiastic local planter golfers with a passion for the sport.

A View of the finishing hole on the course

Founded in 1990 this course flourished becoming one of the more popular golf courses in the region. The fairways are very well maintained and feature a Bermuda grass as used on the greens. For the most part the course is flat but the raised greens and tight fairways demand prudent play from even the most accomplished club golfer. All in all the round is very enjoyable and offers a good combination of holes that could torment or please the average golfer. Though the golf course did not originally have a water hazard, the management is in the process of correcting this by creating a large tank on the 15^th hole in the back nine.  

The spectacular views of the mountains with the mist rolling in, make a very beautiful backdrop. Coorg is known across India for its coffee estates unique culture and cuisine. With courses such as this, it is possible that Coorg can become a popular destination for a quiet golfing getaway. Of course Coorg will be competing with Ooty for this space, but it does have the benefit of appearing less crowded and developed due to the large plantations and forests. The only drawback is the location; it is in Virajpet, almost 45 minutes from Madikere, the capital of Coorg district.

The mountains with the mist rolling in...

Being relatively tucked away six hours from Bangalore coorg is one of karnatakas best kept secrets. However, with the explosion of tourism flowing out of Bangalore Madikere is becoming a destination for the discerning. The landscape is changing faster than it can be protected, causing the planters to band together to preserve coorg and its natural beauty. I believe that golf can exist within a local ecology and maintain a positive balance between modern and old world charm. As the planters who developed the Coorg Golf Links have shown, golf is not only about green carpets and rolling hills. Golf was always meant to be played in natural surroundings working with the local geography.

This trip throws up more ideas to what is possible and I eagerly await my next visit. As my journey to Virajpet draws to a close, I am saddened that I had only one day here. I find myself promising to return and become lost once again in the aromas of freshly roasted coffee and beautiful scenery. Next stop the oldest golf course in Coorg Mercarra Downs.