Golf may have originated in Scotland, but in India, it was made famous by Jeev Milkha Singh, who became the first professional golfer from the country to join the European Tour in 1998. Ever since, the sport has become popular, though only among the elite; mainly due to the expenses involved in playing.

Now, an atmosphere has been deliberately created at the 9-hole golf course at Karma Lakelands (KL), a sprawling property in Gurugram, Haryana, to encourage nongolfer companions and families to accompany the players and walk along the golf course or ride in golf carts. Importantly, KL does not believe in the sport’s traditional protocols, which necessitate players to tuck in their ‘collared’ shirts or any other such practices. A player is free to decide what to wear and it is accepted graciously. The effort is to create a warm, friendly and welcoming environment, sans the restrictions imposed on golf courses in general. But don’t get carried away, as KL is a stickler for certain rules. No one (including golfers) is allowed to walk the course with a lit cigarette in hand. It’s a non-smoking area with two spots designated as smoking zones – the wooden deck near the first tee and the kiosk near the sixth tee.

Even as the player gets engrossed with the game, others can absorb the beauty of the landscape. Whether you are a pro-golfer or an amateur, Karma, manned by trained staff, and caddies, and equipped with the latest golf gear – both for adults and children, has something to offer to its members and those who choose its ‘pay and play’ option. The residential (IJCA) International Junior Golf Academy–Albatross Junior Golf Academy trains children to grow up as top-class players. And golf pro, Shiv Ahluwalia teaches the sport to enthusiasts and assists golfers to tone up their game. The place is a ‘responsible’ travel destination that finds a mention on the official website of Haryana Tourism. It is a recipient of the ‘Best Eco-Friendly Golf Course 2016’ award by Golf Digest. Treated with the utmost care, steps have been taken to grow more trees and be in sync with nature. Wandering peacocks and blue bulls and a variety of birdlife add visual punch to the environs. You could also spot owls, porcupines and fireflies. Check it out!

The (Golf) Course Where It All Begins!