“The British Old Golf Course”, now more eminently know as the Naldehra Golf Course, celebrated its Centenary year in 2005. What today is less than an hours drive from Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, was more of a day’s march or a long rickshaw ride to the glade of Naldehra when the town was the ‘Summer Capital’ of British India. Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India, fell in love with the place late in the 19th Century. His enduring romance with the place gave birth to the idea of laying a Golf Course on the slopes of the enormous glade. The ideas took root as the course took shape on a natural topography, which remains unchanged to the present day. 

 Following the Glorious trails of the British Old Golf Courses around the world, this course basks in the glory of golfing traditions that made the journey to the beautiful glades of Naldehra from the revered links of Scotland. Perhaps making Naldehra one of the oldest custodians of these golfing traditions in this part of the world; that is still preserved and cherished in its truest form. The course boasts of considerable character with wide views of the Himalayas, surrounded by thick woods and comes complete with an ancient temple by the greens, built in traditional style. 

The Naldehra Golf Club is an unusual course, perched at an altitude of 2,200 meters; under a thick mane of Himalayan Cedar ; “Deodar Trees”. It is a par 68, 18 Hole Golf Course with 16 Greens and 18 Tees. Designed over a long sloping glade, the course is regarded as one of the most challenging in the Country. 

It was originally a nine hole course with the same greens repeated on the back nine with different tees. But as time passed, the management felt the need of adding a little more diversity to the course, which they did by relaying it and adding a few more greens and respective tees without challenging the natural topography. This effort was fruitful as the design of the course turned out to be unique as compared to other courses you would come across. But nevertheless it offers exploring golfers a sense of originality, character and adventure all rolled into a round of golf. From the players perspective the challenge and experience offered by the Naldehra Golf Club is as rare as they would come, definitely an experience all golfers must endure at least once in a lifetime if not more. 

Essentially this golf course is divided into two parts by a passing road. This road is the only way local people can commute to Shimla and other neighboring towns and villages. As a result it is a common sight to see golfers hit across the road, above tall pine trees over a ravine and up sharp slopes to reach various greens, which is part of this unique design. Being a Par 68 course, it is not long by any standards but is characterized by a large amount of slopes, elevated greens and tees and surrounded by thick woods. These are not the only hurdles that golfers have to contend with while playing on this course. The out-of-bounds factor looms large on their minds while playing here as there is virtually an out-of-bounds on every hole along with the laborious walks over the hill that leaves one gasping for breath every now and then. Certainly, one has to be prepared not just for a golfing test while playing on this course but a physical test as well. 

The Naldehra Club measures 4,285 yard. It is a preferred lie course that comprises of ten Par 4’s; Six Par 3’s and Two Par 5’s to complete the Par 68 course. The front and the back nine are equally divided into five Par 4’s; three Par 3’s and one Par 5 each. The longest hole on the course is the Par 5, 431 Yards 6th Hole with the shortest being the Par 3, 117 Yards 14th. Most of the Par 4’s have common fairways and are easily drivable by long hitters. Their only forms of defense are the treacherous slopes, grass bunkers, tall pine trees, deceptive distances and undulations. Not to forget the lack of experience of a golfer playing for the first time on the course. Length of the tee is not the most potent weapon in the armory of a golfer while negotiating the numerous hazards that are waiting to punish him with even the slightest error in direction or judgment. The key skills required to successfully negotiate these hazards, which pay rich dividends in the pursuit of putting up a respectable card are accuracy, creativity and a great sense of imagination. 

There are many holes on the course that test every facet of the golfer’s game. One has to be on his toes all the time along with careful planning and precise execution of shots. Few holes that put a golfer through an enduring test are the 5th and the newly constructed 9th. They also happen to be signature holes of the course and perhaps the most difficult ones to play. They both offer a very unique challenge to golfers and represent the true character of the Naldehra Golf Course better than any other holes in the country. 

The 5th is an extremely treacherous Par 3. It measures 151 Yards and it is essential to hit a 7 or 8 Iron shot off the tee. Longer hitters would probably go with a 9 Iron. The Key to playing this hole well lies in the tee shot which has to executed with total precision. The tee shot is hit to a blind green from an elevated tee across the road to an island that is well guarded by the tall pine trees. One cant afford to mis-hit or over hit the tee shot as either of the two will result in the ball ending up in the out-of-bounds area. All in all, a very tough hole to negotiate where precision is the Mantra to survive this infamous “Valley of Sin” in Naldehra.

 There is hardly any respite for the golfers playing in Naldehra as one challenge leads to another, which brings us to the Notorious 9th hole. This will perhaps be the most difficult hole on the course and one of the most intriguingly designed Par 4 holes one would ever come across. The key to playing this hole well is to be accurate off the tee as well as the approach shot and surely a little “golfing prayer” would help. The tee shot again is across the road over the tall pine trees with a clear landing area. The approach shot on this particular hole needs to be extremely accurate as the newly constructed green is situated on a major elevation well guarded by pine trees with out of bounds right behind the green. The approach shot has to be precise in terms of distance, direction and trajectory as a slight error of judgment would end an adventurous golfer’s round right here. This particular hole tests every inch of a Golfers imagination and skill. 

The Ambassador of Monaco, His Excellency Larbi Moukhariq, had some interesting thoughts on the course as he took part on the Naldehra Golf Club Centenary Celebrations. While sharing his experience he said, “The Naldehra Golf Course is one of the most challenging golfing locations in the country. The Hilly Slopes of the course make playing golf here one of the most adventurous experiences in the World. Playing here is not an easy task, and even the best of players could be tested. The place, if marketed properly could well become an international tourist and golfing location”.The course is open throughout the year. The perfect season for golfing in Naldehra is from April to October and the best golfing months are the monsoon ones- July, August and September when the naturally watered turf is rich and springy and the yardage increases.

 The Naldehra Golf Club has been in existence since 1905 and presently it is under the aegis of Himachal Tourism, which looks after the maintenance and general upkeep of the course. Accommodation and quality cuisine are available on the premises. It is also possible to play on the course by paying a daily green fee or take temporary, annual or life membership. Equipment is available on hire as well, if you wish to indulge in an enjoyable and challenging round of golf.