The Naldehra Golf course in Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, India is one of the oldest and biggest golf courses in North India, founded by the then viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, in 1905. The Shimla golf course is a 68-par and nine-hole golf course that spans over an area of 4,285 yards. It is situated at an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level, surrounded by the majestic Himalayan mountains and lush green forests.
History
The Shimla golf course has a rich and fascinating history that dates back to the colonial era. It was established by Lord Curzon, the viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905, who was an avid golfer and fell in love with the beauty of Naldehra. He named the golf course after his daughter Alexandra Naldehra Curzon. He also built a cottage near the golf course, where he used to stay with his family and friends. The golf course was initially a six-hole course, but later expanded to nine holes by Lord Curzon himself. He also introduced several rules and regulations for the golfers, such as wearing proper attire, paying green fees, and maintaining etiquette. The golf course soon became a popular attraction for the British officials and visitors, who enjoyed playing golf in the serene and picturesque setting. The golf course also witnessed some historic events, such as the visit of Mahatma Gandhi in 1921, who met Lord Irwin, the then viceroy of India, at the golf course to discuss the future of India. The golf course also hosted some prestigious tournaments, such as the All India Amateur Golf Championship in 1926 and 1936. After India gained independence in 1947, the golf course was taken over by the Himachal Pradesh government and renamed as Naldehra Golf Course. It was also opened to the public and became a popular destination for domestic and foreign tourists.
Location
The Shimla golf course is located in Naldehra, a small town in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. Naldehra is about 23 km from Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, and about 370 km from Delhi, the capital of India. It is easily accessible by road via National Highway 5 (NH-5), which connects Delhi with Shimla. The nearest airport is Shimla Airport (SLV), which is about 40 km away. The nearest railway station is Shimla Railway Station (SML), which is about 22 km away. The Shimla golf course offers a shuttle service for its members and guests from the airport and railway station.
Layout
The Shimla golf course boasts of a nine-hole golf course that measures 4,285 yards from the men’s tees (par 68) and 4,039 yards from the women’s tees (par 70). The course is designed to suit all levels of golfers, from beginners to professionals. It offers a mix of long and short holes, wide and narrow fairways, flat and sloping greens, water hazards and bunkers, and scenic views of the Himalayan mountains and forests. The course is also well-maintained throughout the year with bluegrass on the fairways and greens.
- Hole 1
The first hole is a par four that measures 370 yards from the men’s tees and 345 yards from the women’s tees. It is a straight hole that plays downhill to a narrow fairway that slopes towards a stream that runs across the front of the green. The green is small and elevated, with bunkers on both sides and behind it. The hole requires a good drive that avoids the trees on both sides of the fairway and sets up a short iron approach shot that clears the stream and lands softly on the green.
- Hole 2
The second hole is a par three that measures 115 yards from the men’s tees and 105 yards from the women’s tees. It is the shortest hole on the course but also one of the most challenging ones. It plays uphill to a small green that is guarded by three bunkers: one in front, one on the left side, and one on the right side. The hole requires a precise tee shot that avoids the bunkers and finds the green.
- Hole 3
The third hole is a par five that measures 510 yards from the men’s tees and 480 yards from the women’s tees. It is the longest hole on the course and also one of the most scenic ones. It plays downhill to a wide fairway that bends slightly to the right. The fairway is flanked by trees on both sides and has a stream on the right side that comes into play on the second shot. The green is large and undulating, with a bunker on the left side and a water hazard on the right side. The hole requires a long and straight drive that avoids the trees and the stream, a good second shot that reaches a good position for the approach shot, and a careful third shot that avoids the bunker and the water and finds the green.
- Hole 4
The fourth hole is a par four that measures 340 yards from the men’s tees and 320 yards from the women’s tees. It is a dogleg left that plays uphill to a narrow fairway that slopes towards a pond on the left side of the green. The green is small and flat, with a bunker on the right side. The hole requires a good drive that avoids the trees on both sides of the fairway and sets up a short iron approach shot that clears the pond and lands on the green.
- Hole 5
The fifth hole is a par four that measures 360 yards from the men’s tees and 340 yards from the women’s tees. It is a straight hole that plays downhill to a wide fairway that has a stream on the left side that runs parallel to the fairway. The green is large and sloping, with bunkers on both sides. The hole requires a good drive that avoids the stream and the trees on both sides of the fairway and sets up a short iron approach shot that finds the green.
- Hole 6
The sixth hole is a par three that measures 150 yards from the men’s tees and 140 yards from the women’s tees. It is an uphill hole that plays to a large green that is guarded by two bunkers: one in front and one on the right side. The green is also sloping from back to front, making it difficult to hold the ball. The hole requires a good tee shot that avoids the bunkers and lands on the green.
- Hole 7
The seventh hole is a par four that measures 390 yards from the men’s tees and 370 yards from the women’s tees. It is a dogleg right that plays uphill to a narrow fairway that has trees on both sides and a stream on the right side. The green is small and elevated, with bunkers on both sides and behind it. The hole requires a good drive that avoids the trees and the stream, and sets up a short iron approach shot that clears the bunkers and lands on the green.
- Hole 8
The eighth hole is a par four that measures 330 yards from the men’s tees and 310 yards from the women’s tees. It is a straight hole that plays downhill to a wide fairway that has trees on both sides. The green is large and flat, with bunkers on both sides. The hole requires a good drive that avoids the trees and sets up a short iron approach shot that finds the green.
- Hole 9
The ninth hole is a par four that measures 360 yards from the men’s tees and 340 yards from the women’s tees. It is a dogleg left that plays uphill to a narrow fairway that has trees on both sides. The green is small and elevated, with bunkers on both sides. The hole requires a good drive that avoids the trees and sets up a short iron approach shot that clears the bunkers and lands on the green.
Slope and Difficulty
The slope and difficulty of a golf course indicate how difficult it is for a scratch golfer (a golfer with a handicap of zero) to play the course. The higher the slope and difficulty, the harder the course. The slope and difficulty of the Shimla golf course are as follows:
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Course -Shimla
Men’s Tees-69.0/128
Women’s Tees- 71.0/130
As you can see, the course is quite challenging for all levels of golfers, especially from the men’s tees. However, it is also fair and enjoyable as it offers multiple tee options to suit different preferences and abilities.
Signature Hole and Longest Hole
The signature hole of the Shimla golf course is the par five third hole, which is also the longest hole on the course. It measures 510 yards from the men’s tees, 480 yards from the women’s tees. It is one of the most scenic holes on the course, as it offers a panoramic view of the Himalayan mountains and forests. It is also one of the most challenging holes on the course, as it requires three good shots to reach the green. The hole plays downhill to a wide fairway that bends slightly to the right. The fairway is flanked by trees on both sides and has a stream on the right side that comes into play on the second shot. The green is large and undulating, with a bunker on the left side and a water hazard on the right side. The hole requires a long and straight drive that avoids the trees and the stream, a good second shot that reaches a good position for the approach shot, and a careful third shot that avoids the bunker and the water and finds the green. The hole is a true test of skill and endurance, and a birdie here is a great achievement.
The longest hole on the course is also the signature hole, which is the par five third hole. It measures 510 yards from the men’s tees, 480 yards from the women’s tees. It is one of the most scenic holes on the course, as it offers a panoramic view of the Himalayan mountains and forests. It is also one of the most challenging holes on the course, as it requires three good shots to reach the green. The hole plays downhill to a wide fairway that bends slightly to the right. The fairway is flanked by trees on both sides and has a stream on the right side that comes into play on the second shot. The green is large and undulating, with a bunker on the left side and a water hazard on the right side. The hole requires a long and straight drive that avoids the trees and the stream, a good second shot that reaches a good position for the approach shot, and a careful third shot that avoids the bunker and the water and finds the green. The hole is a true test of skill and endurance, and a birdie here is a great achievement.
Interesting Story
One of the most interesting stories about the Shimla golf course is how Lord Curzon named the golf course after his daughter Alexandra Naldehra Curzon. Lord Curzon was so enchanted by the beauty of Naldehra that he decided to build a golf course there. He also built a cottage near the golf course, where he used to stay with his family and friends. He named his daughter Alexandra Naldehra Curzon, who was born in 1904, after the place. He also named the golf course after her. He was so fond of the golf course that he used to visit it every year and play golf there. He also introduced several rules and regulations for the golfers, such as wearing proper attire, paying green fees, and maintaining etiquette. The golf course became a symbol of his love for Naldehra and his daughter.
Local Weather and Best Time to Visit
The local weather at Naldehra is generally cool and pleasant, with four seasons: spring (March to April), summer (May to June), monsoon (July to September), and winter (October to February). The average temperature ranges from 5°C in winter to 25°C in summer, with occasional extremes of below 0°C or above 30°C. The average rainfall is about 1500 mm per year, with most of it occurring during the monsoon season.
The best time to visit Naldehra and play golf at Shimla golf course is during the spring or summer season (March to June) or winter season (October to February). During these months, the weather is clear and comfortable, with moderate temperatures, low humidity, and minimal rainfall The spring season is also the best time to witness the blooming of flowers and plants on the golf course and its surroundings. The winter season is also a good time to enjoy the snowfall and the scenic views of the Himalayan mountains.
Clubhouse
The clubhouse at Shimla golf course is a simple and elegant structure that blends with the natural environment. It covers an area of 10,000 sq ft and offers a range of facilities and services for its members and guests. The clubhouse features a lobby, a pro shop, a locker room, a restaurant, a bar, and a terrace. The clubhouse also has a caddy service that provides caddies for the golfers. The clubhouse is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a round of golf or to enjoy a meal or a drink with friends.
The Shimla golf course is a historic and scenic destination for golf lovers that offers a unique and memorable experience. It has a nine-hole golf course that is one of the oldest and biggest in North India, founded by Lord Curzon in 1905. It is situated at an altitude of 2,200 meters above sea level, surrounded by the majestic Himalayan mountains and lush green forests. The course is designed to suit all levels of golfers, from beginners to professionals. It offers a mix of long and short holes, wide and narrow fairways, flat and sloping greens, water hazards and bunkers, and scenic views of the Himalayan mountains and forests. The course is also well-maintained throughout the year with bluegrass on the fairways and greens. The club also has a clubhouse that provides various amenities and services for its members and guests. The club is located in Naldehra, a small town in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. It is easily accessible by road via National Highway 5 (NH-5), which connects Delhi with Shimla. The best time to visit the club is during the spring or summer season (March to June) or winter season (October to February) when the weather is clear and comfortable. If you are looking for a golfing destination that will take you back in time and make you feel closer to nature, then you should definitely visit the Shimla golf course
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