The
rolling greens of
Naldehra in Himachal
Pradesh are par for the oldest golf course in India. This is
an unusual course, perched at a height of 2044 metres, strewn with boulders,
trees and little hillocks.
Tall deodars flank the links making
Naldehra a wonderful
sports venue in the midst of natural beauty. At the turn of the century,
Naldehra was "discovered" by the
British
Viceroy, Lord Curzon who was fascinated by the
deodar forests and green-carpeted slopes. Curzon spent many a happy hour
romancing
Naldehra’s cedar woods, communicating all
the while with the British summer capital at
Shimla,
23 km away. The idea of laying a golf course on the slopes of an enormous
glade took root. The natural topography of the area was just right for a
nine-hole golf course, surrounded by deodar woods and a view of the
mountains.
Considered one of the more challenging courses in the country, the
nine-hole par-68 course has four new greens and a host of tree hazards in
the back nine. Today
Himachal Tourism
maintains the links and it is possible to pay green fees for the day or take
temporary, annual and life membership. The course is open through the year;
the monsoon months between July and September are particularly good for
golfing since the highly watered turf becomes springy and the yardage
increases.
Naldehra got its name from the
Nag temple
(or
Dehra of the god Nag) which lies bang in the centre of
the course. Besides the glorious golfing, you can go for long walks through
the woods and picnics in the valley. Drive off to the thick forests of
Mashobra (12 km) or the hot sulphur springs of
Tatapani
(30 km). This is just the ideal mountain break to lift your spirits.
