Hyderabad, the capital city of Telangana, is known for its rich history, culture, and cuisine. But did you know that it also has a golf course that is one of the finest heritage golf courses in the world? The Hyderabad Golf Club (HGA) is a project initiated by the Telangana Tourism Development Corporation, which licensed the land to the Hyderabad Golf Association to set up an international standard golf course1. The HGA golf course is a breathtaking expanse of velvety greens nestling in and around the historic Golconda fort, a nationally protected monument. In this blog, we will explore the history, layout, features, and facilities of this unique golf course.
History of the Hyderabad Golf Club
The Hyderabad Golf Association (HGA) is a non-profit sports body formed in 1992, to promote the sport of golf in the state of Telangana. The HGA golf course was inaugurated in 2012 by the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Kiran Kumar Reddy. The HGA golf course is the result of a remarkable transformation of a garbage dump outside the fort walls and 14 holes developed inside the ramparts of Nayaqila, an adjunct to Golconda Fort. The HGA has won the National Tourism Award, twice, as the “BEST TOURISM FRIENDLY GOLF COURSE”.
Layout of the Hyderabad Golf Club
The HGA golf course is an 18-hole, par 70, well maintained and manicured golf course with slick greens, well-manicured fairways and challenging roughs and hazards. The course measures 6100 yards from the championship tees and 5600 yards from the regular tees4. The course has world class greens, lush green fairways, beautiful water bodies with all archaeological features carefully preserved. The course offers stunning views of the Golconda fort and its surroundings. The course is designed by Pacific Coast Design, an Australian firm that specializes in golf course architecture.
Signature Hole and Longest Hole of the Hyderabad Golf Club
The signature hole of the HGA golf course is the 14th hole, a par 4 that measures 375 yards from the championship tees and 345 yards from the regular tees. The hole is named “The Wall” as it requires a tee shot over a massive wall that was part of the fort’s defense system. The hole also has a water hazard on the left and a bunker on the right. The green is elevated and guarded by two more bunkers. The hole offers a spectacular view of the Qutub Shahi tombs and the Charminar in the distance.
The longest hole of the HGA golf course is the 18th hole, a par 5 that measures 540 yards from the championship tees and 510 yards from the regular tees. The hole is named “The Finisher” as it is a challenging hole that tests the golfer’s stamina and skill. The hole has a dogleg left with a water hazard on the left and out of bounds on the right. The second shot requires a carry over another water hazard and a bunker. The green is large and undulating with two more bunkers on either side. The hole offers a splendid view of the Golconda fort and its minarets.
Slope and Difficulty of the Hyderabad Golf Club
The slope rating of the HGA golf course is 125 from the championship tees and 120 from the regular tees. The course rating is 70.1 from the championship tees and 68.5 from the regular tees. The slope rating indicates how difficult a course is for a bogey golfer (a golfer who averages one over par per hole) compared to a scratch golfer (a golfer who averages par per hole). The higher the slope rating, the more difficult the course is for a bogey golfer. The course rating indicates how many strokes a scratch golfer would take to play the course under normal conditions.
The HGA golf course is considered to be moderately difficult for both scratch and bogey golfers. The course has several challenges such as water hazards, bunkers, narrow fairways, elevated greens, and archaeological features that add to its difficulty. However, the course also has some forgiving features such as wide landing areas, flat lies, and smooth greens that make it enjoyable for all levels of golfers.
Local Weather of Hyderabad
Hyderabad has a tropical wet and dry climate with hot summers, mild winters, and moderate rainfall. The average annual temperature is 26.6 °C (79.9 °F) with the highest temperature recorded at 45.5 °C (113.9 °F) and the lowest at 6.1 °C (43.0 °F). The average annual rainfall is 812 mm (32 in) with most of the rain occurring from June to October during the southwest monsoon season. The best time to play golf in Hyderabad is from November to February when the weather is pleasant and dry.
Club House and Facilities of the Hyderabad Golf Club
The HGA golf course has a modern clubhouse that offers various facilities and amenities for the golfers and visitors2. The clubhouse has a reception, a pro-shop, a locker room, a restaurant, a bar, a banquet hall, and a conference room. The pro-shop sells golf equipment, accessories, and apparel from leading brands. The locker room has showers, changing rooms, and lockers for the golfers. The restaurant serves delicious Indian and continental cuisine with a view of the golf course. The bar offers a range of beverages and snacks. The banquet hall and the conference room can accommodate up to 200 people for various events and functions.
The HGA golf course also has a floodlit driving range, a golf academy, a putting green, and a chipping area for the golfers to practice and improve their game. The driving range has 20 bays and targets at various distances. The golf academy has qualified coaches who offer lessons for beginners and advanced players. The putting green and the chipping area are well maintained and allow the golfers to work on their short game.
Conclusion
The Hyderabad Golf Club is a unique golf course that combines heritage, history, and nature in a harmonious way. The course offers a challenging and enjoyable golf experience for all levels of golfers. The course also provides various facilities and services for the comfort and convenience of the golfers and visitors. The HGA golf course is a must-visit destination for any golf lover who visits Hyderabad.
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