Classic Golf and Country Club: A Golfing Paradise in India

If you are looking for a golfing destination that offers a world-class experience, stunning scenery, and a challenging layout, then you should consider visiting the Classic Golf and Country Club in Gurgaon, India. This is the first and only 27-hole signature golf course in South Asia, designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus, also known as the Golden Bear. In this blog, I will tell you everything you need to know about this amazing golf course, including its history, location, layout, slope and difficulty, signature hole and longest hole, interesting story, local weather and best time to visit, clubhouse and a conclusion.

History

The Classic Golf and Country Club was established in 1998 as a part of the Classic Group, a diversified business conglomerate with interests in real estate, hospitality, education, and sports. The club was envisioned as a premium golfing destination that would cater to the growing demand for golf in India and attract international tourists as well. The club hired Jack Nicklaus, the most accomplished golfer of all time with 18 major championships and over 300 course designs to his credit, to create a masterpiece that would challenge and delight golfers of all levels. Nicklaus spent two years studying the site, which is located at the foothills of the Aravalli range, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. He used the natural contours and features of the land to craft three distinctive sets of nine holes: Ridge, Valley, and Canyon. Each set has its own character and style, offering a variety of shots and strategies. The club opened for play in 2000 and soon became one of the most prestigious and popular golf courses in India. It has hosted several national and international tournaments, such as the Indian Open, the Asian PGA Tour, the Women’s Indian Open, and the World Corporate Golf Challenge. The club has also received several awards and accolades, such as the Best Golf Course in India by Asian Golf Monthly in 2008 and 2014, the Best Maintained Course in India by Golf Digest India in 2016 and 2017, and the Best Golf Resort in India by World Golf Awards in 2018.

Location

The Classic Golf and Country Club is located in Gurgaon, a city in the state of Haryana that is part of the National Capital Region (NCR) of India. Gurgaon is one of the fastest-growing cities in India, with a booming economy driven by IT, BPO, manufacturing, and real estate sectors. It is also home to many multinational corporations, such as Google, Microsoft, IBM, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Nestle. The club is situated about 37 km from New Delhi, the capital of India, and about 20 km from Gurgaon city center. It is easily accessible by road via National Highway 8 (NH-8), which connects Delhi with Mumbai. The nearest airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), which is about 40 km away. The club offers a shuttle service for its members and guests from the airport and other locations in NCR.

Layout

The Classic Golf and Country Club boasts of a 27-hole signature golf course that spans over an area of 1.2 sq km. It consists of an 18-hole championship course called Ridge and Valley (par 72) and a 9-hole executive course called Canyon (par 36). The course is designed to suit all levels of golfers, from beginners to professionals. It offers a mix of long and short holes, wide and narrow fairways, flat and undulating greens, water hazards and bunkers, and scenic views of the Aravalli hills. The course is also well-maintained throughout the year with Bermuda grass on the fairways and greens.

Ridge

The Ridge is the first nine holes of the championship course that measures 3541 yards from the black tees (par 36). It rewards accuracy more than distance as two holes have water bodies that run along the fairways and the par threes are comparatively shorter but more undulating. The Ridge also features some elevation changes that add to the challenge and beauty of the holes.

Valley

The Valley is the second nine holes of the championship course that measures 3573 yards from the black tees (par 36). It favors long hitters as the fairways are relatively narrower than the Ridge. The Valley also has some tricky holes that require careful shot selection and execution. The par three eleventh hole is considered one of the toughest holes on the course as it plays over 225 yards from the black tees over water to a small green guarded by bunkers.

Canyon

The Canyon is a standalone nine-hole executive course that measures 3135 yards from the black tees (par 36). It is surrounded by the Aravalli range on three sides, making it one of the most scenic courses in the country. The Canyon is a full-fledged par 36 course that has some short and reachable par fours that are the classic risk-reward holes. It also has some challenging par threes and fives that test the skills and nerves of the golfers.

Slope and Difficulty

The slope and difficulty of a golf course indicate how difficult it is for a scratch golfer (a golfer with a handicap of zero) to play the course. The higher the slope and difficulty, the harder the course. The slope and difficulty of the Classic Golf and Country Club are as follows:
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As you can see, the course is quite challenging for all levels of golfers, especially from the black tees. However, it is also fair and enjoyable as it offers multiple tee options to suit different preferences and abilities.

Signature Hole and Longest Hole

The signature hole of the Classic Golf and Country Club is the par three eleventh hole on the Valley course. It is also the most difficult hole on the course as it plays over water to a small green guarded by bunkers. The hole measures 225 yards from the black tees, 205 yards from the blue tees, 185 yards from the white tees, and 165 yards from the red tees. The hole requires a precise tee shot that avoids the water and the sand, as well as a good putt on the sloping green. The hole is a true test of skill and nerve, and a par here is a great achievement.

The longest hole on the course is the par five eighteenth hole on the Ridge course. It measures 590 yards from the black tees, 560 yards from the blue tees, 530 yards from the white tees, and 500 yards from the red tees. The hole is a dogleg left that bends around a lake on the left side of the fairway. The tee shot needs to be long and straight to avoid the water and set up a good second shot. The second shot needs to be accurate as well to avoid the bunkers on both sides of the fairway and reach a good position for the approach shot. The green is large and undulating, with a bunker on the right side. The hole is a great finishing hole that can make or break a round.

Interesting Story

One of the most interesting stories about the Classic Golf and Country Club is how Jack Nicklaus designed one of its holes based on his own experience at Augusta National Golf Club, where he won six Masters titles. The hole in question is the par four fourth hole on the Ridge course, which Nicklaus modeled after the famous par three twelfth hole at Augusta, also known as Golden Bell. The hole at Classic measures 390 yards from the black tees, 370 yards from the blue tees, 350 yards from the white tees, and 330 yards from the red tees. It plays downhill to a narrow fairway that slopes towards a creek that runs across the front of the green. The green is small and elevated, with bunkers on both sides and behind it. The hole requires a good drive that avoids the trees on both sides of the fairway and sets up a short iron approach shot that clears the creek and lands softly on the green. The hole is a tribute to Nicklaus’ admiration for Augusta and his mastery of its challenges.

Local Weather and Best Time to Visit

The local weather at Gurgaon is generally hot and dry, with four seasons: winter (December to February), summer (March to June), monsoon (July to September), and post-monsoon (October to November). The average temperature ranges from 15°C in winter to 40°C in summer, with occasional extremes of below 5°C or above 45°C. The average rainfall is about 600 mm per year, with most of it occurring during the monsoon season.

The best time to visit Gurgaon and play golf at Classic Golf and Country Club is during the post-monsoon season (October to November) or winter (December to February). During these months, the weather is pleasant and comfortable, with clear skies, moderate temperatures, low humidity, and minimal rainfall.

Clubhouse

The clubhouse at Classic Golf and Country Club is a magnificent structure that blends traditional and modern architecture. It covers an area of 60,000 sq ft and offers a range of facilities and services for its members and guests. The clubhouse features a spacious lobby, a pro shop, a locker room, a spa, a gym, a swimming pool, a banquet hall, a conference room, a restaurant, a bar, and a terrace. The clubhouse also has a golf academy that provides coaching and training for golfers of all ages and levels. The clubhouse is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a round of golf or to host events and meetings.

The Classic Golf and Country Club is a golfing paradise in India that offers a world-class experience for golfers of all levels. It has a 27-hole signature golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus that is challenging and scenic. It also has a clubhouse that provides various amenities and services for its members and guests. The club is located in Gurgaon, a city that is well-connected to Delhi and other parts of India. The best time to visit the club is during the post-monsoon or winter season when the weather is pleasant and comfortable. If you are looking for a golfing destination that will leave you spellbound, then you should definitely visit the Classic Golf and Country Club.