HYDERABAD: If you thought golf was a sport only for the richie rich, think again. On any given day, scores of people can be seen putting or swinging their clubs at the golf courses in the city. Most of the wannabe golfers in action include women, children and young executives - all part of the new-age middle class segment. For anything between Rs 60-Rs 6000, they enjoy a round of golf or engage in practice shots, amidst lush green surroundings. Surely, a treat for the senses. And the pocket too. Consider this. A game of snooker or billiards costs more than Rs 200 an hour in any of the city’s top clubs. And so does a game of badminton at the top courts. But golf beats them all, providing the luxury of playing on expansive landscaped grounds at a cost lesser or equal to the rest, for a minimum of two hours be it for a round or a basic practice session.As Leela, an avid golfer and a mother of two, says, “with women and children equally at ease with the game, this is one weekend sport that’s not just for men.”Golf in Hyderabad The Hyderabad golf scene may not be as upbeat when compared with other metros in the country. But there is a positive side to this, cost-wise that is. “Both Bangalore and Delhi have an active golf scene which is ahead of Hyderabad by at least 10-20 years. But thanks to the younger golf scene in Hyderabad, the time is ripe to get initiated into the sport, since practising and learning golf is more economical now,” believes C Dayakar Reddy, joint secretary, Hyderabad Golf Association (HGA), Golconda.Apart from the HGA, even the uptown Boulder Hills Golf Club at Gachibowli is open to non-members, and has an active policy to encourage beginners.Currently, the 9-hole HGA charges `60 for 50 balls or a bucket, and golf clubs are provided free of cost to beginners and those wanting to develop a taste for the game.But to finally begin playing on the main course, a player needs to display a minimum handicap level, which is certified by the instructors at the club.A round of golf then costs just Rs 200, while equipment can be hired at a nominal cost of Rs 65.Boulder Hill on the other hand is comparatively costlier, with the practice session costing Rs 250 for a bucket, while an 18-hole round of golf during the weekends costs Rs 6000. “ The rates may be a bit higher here, but it is greatly justified when one considers the world class facilities on offer. The challenges and excitement of playing amidst total greenery and huge boulders are an added attraction,” points out an official with Boulder Hills. This 18-hole course set amidst the beautiful terrain of the Deccan plateau is equipped with battery driven golf carts, and has among other amenities a swimming pool, a restaurant cum lounge and squash courts.It can accommodate around 100 players at any given time and “provides one the chance to bask in the unmatched scenery after a round of golf.One reason why the middle income group streams in regularly for a day of fun and games,” the official adds.Wanting to encourage the sport further among the city’s middle level executives, the club has started a weekend membership scheme wherein for Rs 75000 a year, or close to Rs 6500/month, a member can avail of all the club facilities including unlimited rounds of golf during weekends.Looking AheadWhat sets these clubs apart from their contemporaries, are the number of initiatives on offer to promote the sport and encourage youngsters to take it up.Training programmes are conducted for non-members and beginners, with the rates hovering between Rs 2000- 8000 for eight classes, spread over a period of two months.Shruti, a software engineer in the city who trains for at least two hours every weekend at HGA, feels that, “golf is a great way to spend mornings.I enjoy swinging my club and seeing the ball soar far ahead.” She expects to meet the minimum handicap level soon enough so she can start playing on the greens. Even Aditya, just 10 years old, walks in excitedly with his father Arabind every evening, to learn the basics of the game. His father, a manager with a national bank, finds the sport quite refreshing and a low-cost one at that. “Neither is this a drain on my resources nor does it physically tire me out,” he says. Beginners are also offered free and unlimited access to practice sessions during the training period and are exposed to camps and local competitions, so as to acquire a competitive edge. And if you happen to be a potential pro golfer, the clubs have in place schemes to sponsor your further training. With golf presenting itself as an ideal avenue for an evening of leisure, Reddy is of the opinion that the sport offers scope for family bonding as well, like no other.“Add to that the exercise it provides of walking 5-6 kms through the course of the game, and the visual delight of being in the lap of nature, and you know why this sport is a winner,” rounds off Arabind as he swings his club.Surely a family sport, than a millionaire sport anymore, golf is here to stay in Hyderabad. The clubs are helping do their bit, in more ways than one.Controversy The HGA, which recently ran into certain issues with environmentalists and locals, clarifies its stand on the same. “We have all necessary documents to validate our purpose of expanding the course. We have provided proof to the govt officials, NGOs and the media on request. Our aim is to promote golf, but not at the risk of environmental damage. In fact, we plan to not only preserve the heritage of the region, but also to ensure the place looks 100 times better than it was before, without altering the landscape at all,” says Colonel CKD Prasad, a board member of HGA.
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