The Pahalgam Golf Course located in the Kashmir region of India is an 18-hole course is located on the banks of the Lidder river, near Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in the Himalayan state of Jammu and Kashmir. The course is owned and operated by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation, and 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 Pahalgam Golf Course
The Pahalgam Golf Course was established in 1966, and was the first golf course to be laid in Pahalgam. The course was designed by K. D. Bagga and Vijit Nandrajog, two eminent golf architects from India, and was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah. The course is named after the Pahalgam valley, which means “the valley of shepherds” in the local language. The course is situated on a land that was once a grazing ground for the nomadic shepherds, who used to migrate from the plains to the mountains in the summer.
Layout of the Pahalgam Golf Course
The Pahalgam Golf Course is a par-72 course that measures 6,655 meters from the championship tees, and has a slope rating of 128 and a course rating of 72.. The course is set in a natural landscape, with water hazards, bunkers, and roughs adding to the beauty and challenge of the game. The course has four sets of tees: black (championship), blue (men), white (senior men), and red (ladies). The course starts with a 375-meter par-4, where the tee shot has to avoid the water on the right and the bunker on the left. The second hole is a 175-meter par-3, where the green is surrounded by water and bunkers. The third hole is a 505-meter par-5, where the tee shot has to carry over a lake and the second shot has to avoid the water on the left and the right. The fourth hole is a 360-meter par-4, where the fairway is narrow and the green is elevated and guarded by bunkers. The fifth hole is a 140-meter par-3, where the green is protected by a water hazard on the front and a bunker on the back. The sixth hole is a 540-meter 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 clear a ditch that crosses the fairway. The seventh hole is a 320-meter par-4, where the tee shot has to avoid the water on the right and the bunker on the left, and the approach shot has to avoid the bunker on the front of the green. The eighth hole is a 170-meter 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 480-meter 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. The course also has a practice area, a driving range, and a putting green.
Signature Hole of the Pahalgam Golf Course
The signature hole of the Pahalgam Golf Course is the ninth hole, a 480-meter par-5 that offers a spectacular view of the Lal Bangla, a pair of red sandstone tombs that date back to the 18th century. 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 approach 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 water hazard on the left and a bunker on the right. 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 finale to the Pahalgam Golf Course, as it showcases the beauty, history, and challenge of the course.
Longest Hole of the Pahalgam Golf Course
The longest hole of the Pahalgam Golf Course is the sixth hole, a 540-meter par-5 that requires three well-placed shots to reach the green. The hole is named after the Box Sports Arena, a state-of-the-art facility that offers various indoor and outdoor sports activities, such as squash, badminton, table tennis, billiards, and more. 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 has a ditch that crosses it at about 250 meters from the green. The green is elevated and guarded by bunkers on the front and the back. The hole is a test of distance and accuracy, as well as patience and strategy.
Interesting Story about the Pahalgam Golf Course
One of the most interesting stories about the Pahalgam Golf Course is the legend of the peacock feather, which is the club’s logo and symbol. According to the legend, the peacock feather was given to the founder of the club, Mr. Gautam Adani, by a peacock that he encountered on the site of the club. The peacock feather is said to bring good luck and prosperity to the club and its members, and is also a sign of the club’s commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility. The club has adopted the peacock as its mascot, and has named its restaurant and bar as The Peacock. The club also celebrates the Peacock Festival every year, which is a cultural extravaganza that showcases the art, music, dance, and cuisine of Gujarat.
Local Weather and Best Time to Visit the Pahalgam Golf Course
The local weather of Pahalgam is generally cool and pleasant, with an average temperature of 15°C. The summer months of May to September are the best time to visit the Pahalgam Golf Course, as the weather is sunny and dry, and the course is in its best condition. The winter months of November to March are also suitable for golfing, as the weather is cold and snowy, and the course offers a unique and challenging experience. However, the course may be closed due to heavy snowfall or fog. The monsoon months of July to August are the least favorable for golfing, as the weather is wet and humid, and the course may be flooded or muddy.. The club also offers caddies, carts, clubs, and balls for rent, as well as a pro shop, a driving range, and a practice area.
Clubhouse of the Pahalgam Golf Course
The clubhouse of the Pahalgam Golf Course is a modern and elegant building that offers a variety of facilities and services, such as locker rooms, showers, restaurants, bars, lounges, banquet halls, and conference rooms. The clubhouse also has a museum that showcases the history and heritage of the course and the game of golf in India. The clubhouse 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 Pahalgam Golf 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 flights, hotels, transfers, sightseeing, guides, and golf bookings.
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