If you are looking for a golfing experience that combines history, culture, and challenge, then you should not miss the Delhi Golf Club – Peacock Course. This 9-hole course is located in the heart of the city, adjacent to the Lodhi Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The course is named after the peacocks that roam freely on the fairways and greens, adding to the beauty and charm of the place. The Peacock Course is one of the two courses at the Delhi Golf Club, the other being the 18-hole Lodhi Course, which hosts the prestigious Indian Open and other international tournaments. The Peacock Course was designed by the legendary Australian golfer Peter Thomson in 1976-77, and renovated by Pacific Coast Design in 2015. It is a par-35 course that measures 2,952 yards from the championship tees, and has a slope rating of 125 and a course rating of 34.5. The course is open to members and their guests, as well as visitors who book through the club’s website or through authorized travel agents.
History of the Delhi Golf Club – Peacock Course
The Delhi Golf Club was established in 1930 as a municipal course, and became a corporate entity in 1950. The club is situated on a land that was once part of the Delhi Sultanate, and later the Mughal Empire. The course is dotted with historical monuments and tombs, such as the Lal Bangla, the Barah Khamba, and the tomb of Syed Abid. The club also has a museum that showcases the history and heritage of the club and the game of golf in India. The Peacock Course was created in 1976-77, when Peter Thomson, a five-time British Open champion and a renowned golf course architect, re-designed the original 18-hole course and split it into two courses: the Lodhi Course and the Peacock Course. The Peacock Course was further improved in 2015, when Pacific Coast Design, an Australian firm that specializes in golf course design and development, upgraded the course with new tees, bunkers, irrigation, drainage, and landscaping.
Layout of the Delhi Golf Club – Peacock Course
The Peacock Course is a challenging and enjoyable course that tests the skills and strategy of golfers of all levels. The course has a variety of holes, ranging from short par-3s to long par-5s, and features water hazards, sand traps, and undulating greens. The course also offers scenic views of the Lodhi Gardens and the historical monuments that surround it. The course has four sets of tees: black (championship), blue (men), white (senior men), and red (ladies). The course starts with a straightforward 128-yard par-3, where the only trouble is the bunker on the left and the thick bushes and trees on the right. The second hole is a 494-yard par-5, where the tee shot has to avoid the water on the left and the out-of-bounds on the right. The third hole is a 374-yard par-4, where the fairway narrows as it approaches the green, which is guarded by a bunker on the left and a water hazard on the right. The fourth hole is a 156-yard par-3, where the green is surrounded by four bunkers and slopes from back to front. The fifth hole is a 358-yard par-4, where the tee shot has to carry over a water hazard and a bunker, and the approach shot has to avoid the bunker on the right of the green. The sixth hole is a 478-yard par-5, where the tee shot has to avoid the water on the right and the trees on the left, and the second shot has to clear a ditch that crosses the fairway. The seventh hole is a 342-yard par-4, where the tee shot has to avoid the bunker on the left and the water on the right, and the approach shot has to avoid the bunker on the front of the green. The eighth hole is a 165-yard par-3, where the green is protected by a water hazard on the left and a bunker on the right. The ninth hole is a 457-yard par-5, where the tee shot has to avoid the water on the left and the out-of-bounds on the right, and the second shot has to avoid the water that runs along the left side of the fairway and the green.
Signature Hole of the Delhi Golf Club – Peacock Course
The signature hole of the Peacock Course is the ninth hole, a 457-yard par-5 that offers a spectacular finish to the round. The hole is named after the tomb of Syed Abid, a nobleman who was buried here in the 16th century. The tomb is visible from the tee box, and serves as a landmark for the tee shot. The hole requires accuracy and distance, as the tee shot has to avoid the water on the left and the out-of-bounds on the right, and the second shot has to avoid the water that runs along the left side of the fairway and the green. The green is large and undulating, and has a bunker on the right and a water hazard on the left. The hole offers a risk-reward opportunity for the long hitters, who can try to reach the green in two shots, but also a potential disaster for the careless ones, who can end up in the water or the out-of-bounds. The hole is a fitting climax to the Peacock Course, as it combines beauty, history, and challenge.
Longest Hole of the Delhi Golf Club – Peacock Course
The longest hole of the Peacock Course is the second hole, a 494-yard par-5 that requires three well-placed shots to reach the green. The hole is named after the Lal Bangla, a pair of red sandstone tombs that date back to the 18th century. The tombs are located on the left side of the fairway, and serve as a guide for the tee shot. The hole has a water hazard on the left and an out-of-bounds on the right, making the tee shot crucial. The fairway is wide and flat, but narrows as it approaches the green, which is elevated and guarded by a bunker on the left and a water hazard on the right. The hole is a test of distance and accuracy, as well as patience and strategy.
Interesting Story about the Delhi Golf Club – Peacock Course
One of the most interesting stories about the Delhi Golf Club – Peacock Course is the legend of the ghost of the Barah Khamba, a 12-pillared tomb that dates back to the 13th century. The tomb is located on the right side of the third hole, and is said to be haunted by the spirit of a woman who was buried alive here by her husband, who suspected her of infidelity. According to the legend, the woman’s ghost appears on moonlit nights, and lures unsuspecting golfers into the tomb, where they are never seen again. The legend has inspired many stories and films, and has added to the mystique and allure of the Peacock Course.
Best Time to Visit the Delhi Golf Club – Peacock Course
The best time to visit the Delhi Golf Club – Peacock Course is from October to March, when the weather is pleasant and the course is in its best condition. The course is open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, and the green fee for visitors is Rs. 2,000 for weekdays and Rs. 3,000 for weekends and holidays. The club also offers caddies, carts, clubs, and balls for rent, as well as a pro shop, a driving range, and a practice area. The club also has a clubhouse that offers a variety of facilities and services, such as locker rooms, showers, restaurants, bars, lounges, banquet halls, and conference rooms. The club also organizes various events and activities for its members and guests, such as tournaments, clinics, camps, and socials.
How to Book a Golf Safari with Indian Golf Safari
If you are interested in playing golf at the Delhi Golf Club – Peacock Course, as well as other golf courses in India, you can book a golf safari with Indian Golf Safari, a leading travel company that specializes in golf tours and packages in India and abroad. Indian Golf Safari offers customized and tailor-made golf safaris that suit your preferences, budget, and schedule. You can choose from a variety of golf destinations, such as Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Coorg, Coimbatore, and more. You can also combine golf with sightseeing, culture, wildlife, adventure, and wellness. Indian Golf Safari will take care of all your travel arrangements, such as hotels, transfers, sightseeing, guides, and golf bookings.
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