Delhi Golf Club

Delhi Golf Club, or the Lodhi, as it is known locally, is brimming with reminders of bygone times predating the Moghul Empire. Amongst the ruined tombs of a mighty empire are the two golf courses which occupy approximately 220 acres. The main 18-hole course – Lodhi – is a par 72 and additionally there’s a 9-hole course known as the Peacock course.

Delhi Golf Club was founded in 1951 and designed by General J.H. Wilkinson and was the inaugural venue for the Indian Open in 1964. Fittingly, Peter Thomson, who was the driving force behind the tournament, won the event.

Thomson believed in the potential for golf in India and promoted an international competition that has since become an integral part of the Asian Tour calendar. The Australian then left his architectural mark on the course and redesigned the Lodhi in 1977.

In 2008 Delhi Golf Club became the first club to host a European Tour staged event in India and in 2015, it was in the spotlight once again as the host venue for the Indian Open.

After your round you can experience the traditional Main Bar, with its views of the 10th & 18th fairways or if you prefer something a little more modern then be sure to check out The Pub a modern bar serving lunch and dinner.

Lodhi course overview

The layout at Delhi Golf Club measures 6,983 yards in length and is devilishly narrow, requiring accuracy off the tee and a deft touch around the greens.

Built on the rubble of the old Moghul metropolis, the Delhi course, set amidst the grandeur of such ancient architectural monuments, has a fascination and beauty of its own. The fairways of pure couch grass – and the natural jungle rough – have a verdant greenness after the monsoon rains which suggests coolness in an otherwise torrid climate.

The layout has undergone several changes, Gary Player Design upgraded all the greens on the Lodhi course during a renovation project that began in March 2019. The green sizes were increased to add more pinnable areas and strategy to the putting surfaces.

Signature Holes

The 14th is a great risk reward par 5. From the elevated tee box you need a 275 yard carry to fly the left bunker and if you can manage that, you get another bonus 15 to 20 yards from the downslope past the bunker.

Even then, it’s a narrow 2nd shot to the green and a birdie is no guarantee, especially if the pin is at the back and you don’t carry the greenside bunker. A large majority of players normally play this as a 3 shot hole and take their chances with their 3rd to make a birdie.