Sai Trivandrum Golf Course: A Historic and Scenic Golf Destination

If you are looking for a historic and scenic golf destination in India, you should definitely visit the Sai Trivandrum Golf Course in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. This course is one of the oldest golf courses in India, dating back to the 1850s, and is situated within the premises of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) complex. In this blog, we will tell you everything you need to know about this course, including its history, location, golf course layout, slope and difficulty, signature hole and longest hole, interesting story, local weather and best time to visit, clubhouse and a conclusion.

History

The Sai Trivandrum Golf Course was established in the mid-19th century by the Maharajas of Travancore, who were avid golfers and hunters. The course was part of their hunting lodge and was their private course. The course was designed by Peter Thompson, a famous Australian golf course architect, who redesigned it in the 1960s. The course was later taken over by the SAI in 1996 and was opened to the public. The course also has a National Golf Academy, which was inaugurated in 2014 by the then Union Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs Sarbananda Sonowal.

Location

The Sai Trivandrum Golf Course is located in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram city, capital of Kerala. The course is easily accessible by road and has ample parking space for its members and guests. The course is situated within the SAI complex, which covers an area of 25.38 acres and has many sports facilities and amenities. The course is also close to many local attractions, such as the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Napier Museum, the Kanakakunnu Palace and the Kovalam Beach.

Golf Course Layout

The Sai Trivandrum Golf Course has a 9-hole par-36 golf course that measures 3,200 yards from the men’s tees and 2,800 yards from the ladies’ tees. The course can be replayed to different hole locations to offer 18 holes of golf. The course has a unique layout that challenges both beginners and experts alike. The course has sharp doglegs, narrow fairways, water hazards, bunkers, trees and flower beds that require accuracy and strategy from the players. The course also has a natural stream that runs through it and adds to its beauty and difficulty.

The course has two sets of tees: men’s (blue) and ladies’ (red). The slope rating of the course is 121 from the men’s tees and 119 from the ladies’ tees. The course rating is 70.0 from the men’s tees and 69.0 from the ladies’ tees.

Signature Hole and Longest Hole

The signature hole of the Sai Trivandrum Golf Course is the par-4 7th hole, which is also known as the “Temple View” hole. This hole offers a spectacular view of the Padmanabhaswamy Temple as it curves around it. The hole measures 375 yards from the men’s tees and 325 yards from the ladies’ tees. The hole has a slight dogleg to the right and a water hazard on the left side of the fairway. The green is guarded by two bunkers on either side and has a gentle slope towards the temple. This hole requires a good tee shot to avoid the water and a precise approach shot to hit the green.

The longest hole of the Sai Trivandrum Golf Course is the par-5 9th hole, which measures 525 yards from the men’s tees and 475 yards from the ladies’ tees. This hole is also known as the “Homecoming” hole as it leads back to the clubhouse. The hole has a slight dogleg to the left and a water hazard on the right side of the fairway. The green is elevated and surrounded by four bunkers. This hole requires a long and straight drive, a well-placed second shot and a careful approach shot to avoid the bunkers and reach the green.

Interesting Story

One of the most interesting stories about the Sai Trivandrum Golf Course is the one involving a monkey and a golf ball. According to one of the golf course staff, this incident happened in 2017, when a member of the club was playing on the 6th hole. He hit his tee shot towards the green, but it landed on a tree branch instead. As he was walking towards his ball, he saw a monkey sitting on the same branch. The monkey picked up the ball and threw it back to the fairway. The member was surprised and amused by the monkey’s gesture and thanked it. The monkey then waved back at him and ran away.

Local Weather and Best Time to Visit

The local weather in Thiruvananthapuram is generally warm and humid, with an average annual temperature of 27.3 degrees Celsius. The city experiences three seasons: summer (March to May), monsoon (June to September) and winter (October to February). The summer season is very hot and dry, with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius. The monsoon season brings heavy rainfall and high humidity, which can affect the playing conditions of the course. The winter season is mild and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 18 to 32 degrees Celsius.

The best time to visit the Sai Trivandrum Golf Course is during the winter season, when the weather is cool and comfortable, and the course is lush and green. The course is open throughout the year, except on Mondays, which are reserved for maintenance. The course also hosts various tournaments and events throughout the year, such as the Kerala Open, the SAI Cup, the Trivandrum Open and the SAI Academy Championship.

Clubhouse

The clubhouse of the Sai Trivandrum Golf Course is a simple and functional building that offers basic facilities and amenities for its members and guests. The clubhouse has a reception area, a pro shop, a locker room, a canteen, a bar and a lounge. The clubhouse also has a terrace that overlooks the golf course and the temple.

The canteen of the clubhouse serves tasty Indian and continental cuisine, as well as snacks and beverages. The bar of the clubhouse offers a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as live music and entertainment. The lounge of the clubhouse is a cozy place to relax and socialize with other golfers.

Conclusion

The Sai Trivandrum Golf Course is a historic and scenic golf destination that offers a challenging and enjoyable golfing experience in India. The course has a 9-hole par-36 golf course that is built around the Padmanabhaswamy Temple and offers stunning views of it from every hole. The course also has a National Golf Academy that provides coaching and training for aspiring golfers. The course is easily accessible by road and has ample parking space for its members and guests. The course is also close to many local attractions that make it an ideal place to visit for golfers and tourists alike. If you are looking for a golfing destination that combines history, heritage, nature and culture, you should definitely visit the Sai Trivandrum Golf Course in Thiruvananthapuram.

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