Golfing Holidays with The Chalets Resort
at the Naldehra Golf Course

Situated on a spur, the Naldehra golf course is ringed by stately deodar trees and has spectacular mountain views around. The environs at Naldehra are so tranquil that Lord Lytton and Lord Curzon, two of India's viceroys preferred it to their grand homes, and spent many weeks of their summer here. Lord Curzon even named his daughter after this place. The Naldehra course, about a 100 years old now, is carpeted by a fine springy turf which requires little maintenance.

It is a nine-hole layout with different tees on the back nine. The 10th, 12th and 14th holes also have separate greens. First-timers have to rely heavily on individuals armed with local knowledge since some of the shots are absolute blinders. Altitude (6500 feet above sea level) and, at times, favourable slopes also mean that golf balls carry great distances.

The Naldehra golf course is spread over 30 acres. The par 68 course is basically located in a bowl and has nine holes which can be back played to 18. The longest hole is the sixth at 370 yards; and the shortest, the fifth, with a yardage of 115. The undulating landscape demands lofty and sure shots, as a stray ball would tend to roll off the hillside into the 'out-of-bounds' areas. The greens are extremely fast and have to be read carefully. It is difficult to master the Naldehra course as a misjudged drive would change direction on hitting the rocky part of the fairway. Hazards on the course include an artificial water tank, cliffs with greens on the edges, and a local temple. A game of golf can be pleasantly interrupted by a colourful procession of hillfolk bringing a deity from a nearby village to confer with the deity at the Naldehra temple.

Playing at the Naldehra golf course can be exciting and can do things to your handicap. Nevertheless, the board of honour at the Golf Club lists many hole-in-ones.

We have had golfers spending as long as a week at The Chalets and having one of their best golfing and mountain holidays.

Today Himachal Tourism maintains the course and it is possible to play by paying a nominal green fees for the day. The course is open through the year (except if the fairways are covered with snow); the monsoon months between July and September are particularly good for golfing since the highly watered turf becomes springy and the yardage increases.

Naldehra is named after the Nag temple (or Dehra of the god Nag) which lies right in the middle of the course. Besides the exciting golfing, Naldehra offers nice walks and soft treks through the forest if you are the outdoor types. A vacation at The Chalets can be a complete mountain holiday.