If you are looking for a unique and convenient golfing experience in India, you should definitely visit the Bangalore Golf Club. Located in the heart of Bangalore city in Karnataka, this golf course is one of the oldest and most compact golf courses in the country. It offers a challenging and enjoyable game for golfers of all levels, as well as a glimpse into the colonial history and culture of the region.
History
The Bangalore Golf Club was founded in 1876 by a group of British officers who were stationed in Bangalore, then known as Bangalore Cantonment. They wanted to create a recreational facility for themselves and their families, as well as a social club for the elite. The golf course was designed by Colonel Ross Thompson, who also designed the Ooty Gymkhana Club and the Madras Gymkhana Club. The course was initially a nine-hole course with browns instead of greens, but it was later expanded to 18 holes and converted to greens in 1929.
Location
The Bangalore Golf Club is situated at an altitude of 3,000 feet above sea level, making it one of the moderate golf courses in India. It is surrounded by the Kumara Park East, Sampangi Rama Nagar, and Kumara Krupa Road, which offer a busy and urban backdrop for the game. The golf course covers an area of 60 acres and is adjacent to the Bangalore Race Course and the Cubbon Park. The climate is pleasant and mild throughout the year, with an average temperature of 24 degrees Celsius.
The Bangalore Golf Club is well connected by road, rail, and air to other major cities in India. It is about 35 km from the Kempegowda International Airport, 5 km from the Bangalore City Railway Station, and 4 km from the Kempegowda Bus Station. Bangalore is also known as the “Silicon Valley of India” because of its IT industry and innovation sector. It has many places to visit, such as gardens, museums, palaces, temples, and markets.
Golf Course Layout
The Bangalore Golf Club is an 18-hole, par 70 course that measures 6,118 yards from the blue tees and 5,278 yards from the red tees. The course is known for its tight fairways, undulating greens , and numerous hazards. The course also has a natural slope that varies from 2 to 15 degrees, adding to the difficulty and challenge of the game.
The course has four par 3s, ten par 4s, and four par 5s. The signature hole of the course is the par 4 16th hole, which is also known as the “Taj Mahal”. It is a long and narrow hole that requires a straight tee shot over a water hazard to reach a fairway that is flanked by trees and bunkers on both sides. The second shot is downhill to a green that is in front of the Taj West End Hotel, which resembles the Taj Mahal. The hotel was built in 1887 and is one of the oldest and most luxurious hotels in Bangalore.
The longest hole of the course is the par 5 18th hole, which measures 540 yards from the blue tees and 480 yards from the red tees. It is a dogleg right that requires three accurate shots to avoid trees, water, and out of bounds on both sides of the fairway. The green is large and flat, but it has a bunker in front that can catch any short or mishit shots.
The slope rating of the course is 125 from the blue tees and 119 from the red tees, indicating a moderate level of difficulty for bogey golfers. The course record is 62, which was set by Shiv Kapur in 2014. Shiv Kapur is one of the most successful Indian golfers who has won multiple titles on the Asian Tour and the European Tour. He is also the first Indian golfer to win a gold medal at the Asian Games.
Clubhouse
The clubhouse of the Bangalore Golf Club is a heritage building that dates back to 1876. It has a colonial architecture and a cozy atmosphere. The clubhouse offers various facilities and amenities for its members and guests, such as a restaurant, a bar, a lounge, a library, a billiards room, a card room, a pro shop, a locker room, and guest rooms. The restaurant serves delicious Indian and continental cuisine, as well as local delicacies such as Bangalore dosa and Bangalore filter coffee. The bar offers a wide range of drinks, including beer, wine, whiskey, and cocktails. The lounge is a comfortable place to relax and enjoy the view of the golf course and the hotel. The library has a collection of books and magazines on golf and other topics. The billiards room has two tables for playing snooker or pool. The card room has tables for playing bridge or rummy. The pro shop has golf equipment and accessories for sale or rent. The locker room has showers and changing facilities for men and women.
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