10 Most Scenic Golf Courses

Developed during colonial times the 19th century Shillong Golf Club in the shape of an Eagle is also known as the Gleneagles of the East` after the Gleneagles Course of Scotland. Carved out from dense pine forests the course basks in the glory of natural beauty. The highest point on the course is 4,750 feet above sea level.

A touch of the regal splendor of royalty and a marvelous palace in the background that is the Gaekwad Baroda Golf Club, a private property of the erstwhile royals of Baroda. Developed in the 1930s and thoroughly revamped,  the 18-hole facility is situated in the Lakshmi Vilas Palace grounds.

Less of golf but oodles of scenic splendor that`s what Naldehra Golf course is all about. Perched at an altitude of 6,700 feet it is a legacy of the British rule and is one of the oldest golf courses in the country. A favorite of the tourists visiting the place the “Nal Deo” shrine is located inside the course on its north-western edge.

With Dal Lake sitting behind in the distance, beautiful hills as the backdrop,  hilly trees, and shrubs yielding exotic fruits in the middle,  the Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC) is beauty personified. Truly it can be said that the captivating natural beauty is a distraction to that perfect teeing off.

The Golf Club of Pahalgam at 2400 meters above the sea level is not very big but conveys a sense of calm. The Golf course which is known as the plateau locally is nine holes and situated at an expanse of relatively large plain area amidst scenic settings. The plateau is just at a short distance from the confluence point of two rivers from Aru and Sheshnag.

Touted as one of the highest in the world the Gulmarg golf course at an elevation of 2650 m must also figure out among the most scenic courses in the world. A contribution of the Britishers, the Gulmarg Golf Club began in 1911. Located on the meadows, the turf gets buried beneath six feet of snow during winters.

Spread over 56 acres the Chikmagalur Golf Club with a 9-hole course lies at the foot of the Babubudanagiri range across the Western Ghats. For those who prefer playing golf and enjoying a stay amid coffee plantations, the club offers luxurious stay options. The Golf club is just 10 minutes drive from Chikmagalur town.

Located amidst the Coffee heartland in southern Coorg, the Pollibetta Golf Club with a 9 hole course is one of the prettiest course in India. The course is easily accessible from all the Tata coffee owned bungalows. The golf course is interesting a lot with deep water bodies in between the tee and the green and some holes particularly into wild.

Kodaikanal nestling 7000ft. above sea level in the Palani hills is not only a favored destination for honeymooners but home to one of the most scenic courses in the world. One of the oldest in India it was founded in 1895. The 18 hole course with cool breezes blowing off the cliff face is also a place where sights of Eagle, Barking Deer and white-stockinged Bison are not uncommon.

The Ooty or Ootacamund Golf Course located in the beautiful Nilgiris Hills is said to be the finest natural golf course in the world. Built at an altitude of 7,600 feet the Ootacamund Golf Course is over 100 years old. The thickly wooded course with a breathtaking view across the hill ranges boasts of numerous Fir, Eucalyptus, Oak and Rhododendron trees.