As the summer vacations approach, the million-dollar question pops up again. Where to? In a family which has golfers as well as non-golfers, making everyone happy with one golf destination can be increasingly difficult. How to ensure that at the end all family members return home feeling refreshed and saying, "wow!"? Seems like an impossible dream. But it might not be as difficult as you think. The following three Indian destinations offer golf and much more to keep the whole family happy and entertained.

ITC Grand Bharat, Gurugram (Gurgaon):

Spread over 1.2 square kilometers this is one luxury retreat which combines the golf experience with a lot of other great recreational activities to keep even the non-golfers entertained. Golf It contains a 27-hole Signature Championship Course divided into three 9-hole courses i.e. the Ridge course, the Valley course and the Canyon course. Non Golf It provides opportunities to try adventure sports like rappelling, zorbing, hiking,  mountain biking/cycling, rock climbing etc. for the thrill seekers. The retreat houses a Sports complex where one can indulge in sports and activities like swimming, volleyball, tennis, squash/volley ball, badminton, among others. There are nature trails, bird watching, picnics for the lovers of slow and serene. One can also indulge themselves with therapeutic and aromatic massages at Kaya Kalp, learn yoga at Yoga Pavilion or learn the art of fine cooking by attending special gourmet workshops. Living The retreat has 104 suites which are the height of luxury. ITC is known for its service and you won't be disappointed with the amenities. It offers great dining options too.

Citrus County Farm Stays, Hoshiarpur, Punjab:

This is a farm stay located in the rural area of Punjab in north India. It’s located on a working citrus farm and lies in the lap of nature away from the hustle-bustle of cities but close enough to city life for one to not feel isolated. Golf The Police Jahan Khelan Golf Club, Hoshiapur is a mere fifteen minute drive from the retreat. It is 9 hole, 36 par 3100 yard golf course. Within the resort, there is a putting green and a sand bunker where you can practice your golf swing and teach the kids too. Non Golf This is a perfect spot to soak in the rural culture of Punjab. Relish the traditional life by visiting the village close by, and partaking in the local cultural events. One can also take a tour of the city and check out the local handicrafts sold in the local bazaars. The resort also offers options like trip to a dairy farm and culinary tours where one can learn Punjabi cooking. Due to its location, it’s easy to travel to Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jalandhar which have some amazing tourist attractions like the Golden Temple, Wagha Borger, Jalliahwala Bagh, Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Imam Nasir Masjid, Rangla Punjab Haveli etc. Living You can choose to either stay in one of the 3 suites within the main house or stay in one of the 9 luxury tents that offer the comforts of home as well as privacy. The suites and tents both offer features like air-conditioning, attached bathrooms, heating etc. The suites offer great views of the pool and gardens.

The Peepal Kothi, 50 Km from Delhi in Haryana:

Located 30 kms from Gurugram (Gurgaon) and 50 kms from New Delhi, it is an absolutely unique farm-stay complex. Spread over 3 acres, it is located within 12 kms of four great golf courses. Golf A kilometer from the farm-stay is the Classic Golf and Country Club. Spread over 350 acres of land, it is a course designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus. Driving another 2 kilometers you can reach India’s first gated golf community i.e. the Tarudhan Valley Golf Resort.  7 kms from the retreat is the Karma Lakelands which is a 9 hole golf course. 12 kms from the retreat is the Golden Greens Golf course. So, there are many courses to choose from. Non Golf You can also enjoy a game of Croquet or badminton on the grounds of the resort. Play indoor games in the afternoons or learn to make pottery from the in-house potter. Take a session in making breads, butter and buttermilk. You can also visit the Sultanpur bird sanctuary and Heritage transport museum which are located within 20 kms distance. Living You have the option to either stay at one of the three cottages –The Port House, The Dark Bungalow, The Mulberry Cottage- or pick from the three options in the Kothi i.e. the suite – The Malabar, or the two rooms – The Patiala and The Avadh. The rooms have been decorated aesthetically to represent the region they are named after. They provide both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian options to keep everyone satisfied. Posted on: 2016 May 27 Fri
Posted by: Tushar Narang