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Royal Springs Golf Course, Srinagar
Compared to other courses, this is a fairly new course. But it is one of India's most picturesque. The course is spread over 300 acres of rolling hills, amid native deciduous forests and crystal lakes. Established in 2001, the course is the handiwork of Robert Trent Junior, who has designed over 500 courses across the globe. The idea behind the course was to encourage tourists to come and play golf in Kashmir. Perhaps that's why the club adopts a "pay and play" scheme. Membership is limited and allotted only after a lot of consideration. Golfer Digvijay Singh Deo calls Royal Springs "the most beautiful golf course" in the country. It's common to sight many species of birds among the chinars. Members say that you can also spot a hangul (Kashmiri stag) on the fairways!
Membership fee: Rs 2.5 lakh and membership is given after testing golf handicap by a screening committee. For pay and play, a round of golf would cost you Rs 2,000.
You are likely to run into: The father-son duo of Farooq and Omar Abdullah
Delhi Golf Club
One of the oldest courses in Asia, Delhi Golf Club was founded in 1928. In those days it was called "The Lodhi Club". The club, which is just off India Gate in the middle of the city, is dotted with Mughal structures and tombs, including the famous Lal Bangla around the greens. Another incentive is the clubhouse with its dining area, where the bacon-wrapped prawn is a favourite. Sanjay Sharma, CEO, Swarovski, says that DGC is an unforgiving course. "It's an old-fashioned course where a bad shot really penalises you more than any other course." A little-known fact about the club is that soon after India's independence, the housing ministry wanted to use the land to build houses, but this calamity for the capital's golfing fraternity was averted when Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, impressed by the greenery of the club, allowed golf to continue.
Membership fee: Entry fee of Rs 6 lakh. For government officers it's Rs 3 lakh. Getting membership isn't easy. There's a committee which screens your application; you also have to pass a golf handicap test before you are enlisted as a member. However, it is likely that you will get a membership only in 2052 if you apply now, so crowded is the waiting list!
You are likely to run into: Corporate bigwigs Ashish Bharat Ram of SRF Group, Sanjay Sharma of Swarovski, Pawan Munjal of Hero Honda
Aamby Valley Golf Club
Rated as one of India's best courses, the Aamby Valley Golf Club is one of the newest on the circuit. Located in the Western Ghats and spread over 250 acres, it is a full flood-lit 18 course facility, designed by British architect David Hernstock. Being part of a super-luxe complex, the club even offers a chopper service (a 20-minute flight from Mumbai) for a day of golf. One can have a personal butler accompanying the golfing cart here. You can also feast on wine, champagne and other delicacies. "It's like an 18-hole golf course gala and a unique experience," says Percept CEO Shailendra Singh.
Membership fee: The club doesn't reveal the cost of membership. Take it for granted it won't be affordable to all.
You are likely to run into: Shailendra Singh of Percept, tennis great Vijay Amritraj
Royal Calcutta Golf Club, Kolkata
It is one of the most well-known golf courses in the world and the oldest in the country. RCGC has facilities like tennis courts, swimming pool but its main lure remains the greens. Steeped in history, the club retains its colonial-era charm. The 18 holes are spread over 6,978 yards and the course is considered the Indian equivalent of Scotland's Royal & Ancient by golfers, especially the old timers. Some of India's top swingers like Arjun Atwal, SSP Chowrasia and Firoz Ali learned their ropes at RCGC. Leander Paes is one of the few honourary members of the club.
Membership: Life membership is closed. You get to become a member by paying Rs 1.35 lakh per year.
You are likely to run into: Media baron Aveek Sarkar, Aditya Khaitan of McLeod Russell.
