Lovely sport: Golfing locations in India

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.    KENSVILLE GOLF LIVING, AHMEDABAD Designed by golfing great Jeev Milkha Singh, Kensville’s 18-hole PGA-standard course is a verdant oasis just outside Gujarat’s bustling commercial capital.

Where to stay: The course has Club Kensville, a 55-room luxury hotel, attached to it, but if you would rather stay in the city, 55km away, hotels like Ista (www.istahotels.com) and Aloft (www.starwoodhotels.com) are great options.

What to do: Visit Ahmadabad’s Sabarmati Ashram, where Gandhi spent part of his life, the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, and the Museum of Vintage and Classic Cars. The Little Rann of Kutch—and its Wild Ass Sanctuary—is a four-hour drive from the city. (www.gujarattourism.com)

2.    GOLF SHIRE CLUB, BANGALORE Extend your business trip to India’s Silicon Valley and have your family join you at The Prestige Group’s Golf shire Club. Just 45 minutes from the city centre, its course is designed by PGA Design Consulting and managed by leading golf course management company, Troon Golf.

Where to stay: Till the course’s own 300-room JW Marriott opens later this year, the Angsana Oasis Spa and Resort (www.angsana.prestigeconstructions.com), about a 30-minute drive away, is a good option—as is the 36-room Goldfinch Retreat (www.goldfinchhotels.com), 10km from the course. Book a room at The Leela Palace Bangalore (www.theleela.com), where the family can enjoy five-star comfort and facilities.

What to do: From gastro-pubs to music venues, Bangalore’s attractions are numerous. The 6th-century Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple is a short drive from the club, as are a fort and summer palace that once belonged to Tipu Sultan. (www.karnatakatourism.org)

3.    OXFORD GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB, PUNE This championship course, just 22km from Pune airport, is bordered on three sides by the Sahyadri hills.

Where to stay: Just a few miles away, Pune has plenty of good properties, from The Westin Pune Koregaon Park (www.starwoodhotels.com) to Pune Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre (www.marriott.com) for a comfortable stay. The five-star O Golf Resort, with its swanky cottages and tents, is on the club premises. 

What to do: Although the township itself has plenty of activities to keep your family busy, you can also make the short drive into Pune to enjoy its buzzing music, nightlife and dining scene. Those who enjoy adventure sports can visit Della adventures (www.dellaadventure.com) in Lonavala, which offers activities like paragliding and quad biking. (www.ogcc.in)

4.    THE ROYAL CALCUTTA GOLF CLUB, KOLKATA Opened in 1829, this is said to be the world’s oldest course outside of the British Isles. Designed in a manner similar to Scotland’s famous St Andrew’s fairway.

Where to stay: The Park, Kolkata (www.theparkhotels.com) has a number of great dining and nightlife options. It also has a private yacht that the family can rent for a cruise around the Bay of Bengal. The Oberoi Grand, Kolkata (www.oberoihotels.com), though old-fashioned, has all the modern amenities you may require

What to do: Kolkata’s Park Street is home to famous food haunts like Flurys, Mocambo, Blue Fox and Peter Cat. For a dose of culture, visit Chinatown, which has some great restaurants as well as a Chinese temple. (www.westbengaltourism.gov.in)

5.    AAMBY VALLEY CITY, MAHARASHTRA A short two-hour drive from Mumbai, the Aamby Valley Golf Course is perfect for stressed city types looking for some quiet time. Designed by UK’s David Hemstock Associates.

Where to stay: Aamby Valley City offers a range of accommodation, from chalets inspired by Switzerland to Spanish-style cottages. 

What to do: The planned city has plenty of activities to keep the family occupied, including a spa, gym, discotheque, and numerous shopping and dining options. Pick from an adrenaline-pumping skydive or a languorous lake cruise. And should you feel the need to go further afield, Lonavla and Khandala are both a short drive away.  (www.aambyvalleycity.com).

6.    ANANDA IN THE HIMALAYAS, UTTARAKHAND This wellness retreat’s small but stunning six-hole golf course is nestled in the tranquil foothills of the Himalayas, just an hour’s drive from both Rishikesh and Haridwar.

Where to stay: The course is open only to those staying at Ananda in the Himalayas.

What to do: Ananda is not open to children below 14, so think of this as a holiday to reconnect with your partner. Go for treks, spend a day rafting, or simply enjoy a quiet dinner admiring the majestic Ganga. Book yourself and your partner a couple’s ayurvedic treatment at the CNT award-winning spa. (www.anandaspa.com) 

7.    JAYPEE GREENS GOLF & SPA RESORT, GREATER NOIDA For New Delhi’s golfers, this Greater NOIDA resort, along with its Greg Norman-designed course, is both a weekend getaway and a place to mix business with leisure.

Where to stay: The Jaypee Greens Golf and Spa Resort has 170 well-furnished rooms and suites with all the mod-cons.

What to do: Jaypee Greens’ Six Senses spa is India’s first, and features expert treatment facilities, hammams, yoga, qigong and tai chi for guests. If you’d rather explore the city, visit the colourful Chandni Chowk, or check out the many restaurants, bars and boutiques in Hauz Khas and Khan Market. (www.delhitourism.gov.in)

8.    THE KODAIKANAL GOLF CLUB, TAMIL NADU High up in the Palani Hills of Tamil Nadu, at 7,000ft above sea level, Kodaikanal is a town firmly entrenched in British Indian history—which explains the presence of its historic.

Where to stay: Though there are several good-value hotels in Kodaikanal, the seven-tent Fern Creek resort (www.theferncreek.com) is one of the better options. 

What to do: The Palani Hills have easy, well-marked trekking trails and scenic picnic spots to enjoy a leisurely lunch. The Coaker’s Walk walking trail offers jaw-dropping views of the valley below. (www.tamilnadutourism.org)

9.    AGRA GOLF CLUB Enjoy the sport you love in the home of the monument of love in this historic city. The Agra Golf Club offers a glimpse of the Taj Mahal.

Where to stay: Most nearby hotels, including The Oberoi Amarvilas (www.oberoihotels.com) and ITC Mughal (www.itchotels.in) can organise a morning round of the courses. 

What to do: Besides the Taj Mahal, there are plenty of cultural attractions for the family, including Agra Fort and nearby Fatehpur Sikri. The shopping streets of Agra offer a good selection of local handicrafts and jewellery to take home with you. (www.up-tourism.com)

10. ROYAL SPRINGS GOLF COURSE, SRINAGAR Royal Springs is an 18-hole championship golf course with panoramic views of Dal Lake and the fir-covered peaks of the Zabarwan Hills.

Where to stay: Both Srinagar’s newest five-star hotel, Vivanta by Taj - Dal View (www.vivantabytaj.com)  and old favourite The LaLiT Grand Palace Srinagar  (www.thelalit.com)overlook Dal Lake.

What to do: Your hotel concierge can organise a family boat ride on Dal Lake. Kashmir’s fragrant gardens, with their traditionally-robed guides, make another good family outing. The intriguing Pari Mahal, Mughal Gardens and Hazratbal Mosque are also worth a visit.(www.jktourism.org)