Golf Courses in Nepal
Nepal has seven golf courses. Most of them have been around for quite some time now and offer golfing facilities with a colonial touch. These are not centrally located in one city or area but spread throughout Nepal. Since Nepal is not a very large country, you can be sure that you will be able to find a good golf course a few hours from anywhere.
The capital city of Kathmandu has three golf courses. Of these, Royal Nepal Golf Course is the most prominent one. Located in Tilganga at 4,265 feet above sea level, Royal Nepal was found in 1917 and probably is the oldest golf club in Asia. Over 26 tournaments are held on the 9-hole challenging grounds of Royal Nepal every year. Langtang Himal, Ganesh Himal and other mountains grace Royal Nepal’s background. The best part is that this course is just 10 minutes drive from the international airport. The rates are quiet low and you should be able to make a lot out of $20.
Le Meridien Gokarna Forest Golf Resort and Spa, Thali, Kathmandu is a well known Nepali golf course. Designed by David Mclay Kidd, Golf designer of year 1999 designed its 18-hole USGA confirming course. The location will knock you off your feet because it is located right in Gokarana Forest and wandering animals are not uncommon. The management boasts that the Le Meridien is the only golf course with bent grass greens in the southern Asian. Another private golf club that can be found in Kathmandu is the Army Golf Club. It is located in Gujeshwori and has been offering a 9-hole course since 1998.
Travel to Dharan and you will find Nirvana Country Club, an excellent health and golf resort. Built in 1962 by the British raj, Nirvana has visited by many notable figures including Lady Diana and Prince Charles. The 18-hole course is wonderful and bungalows, rooms, conference halls and multi-cuisine restaurants add to the grace. If bored with golf, you can go hiking, bird watching along the Koshi River or to the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Sanctuary.
Nawalparasi is home to Chaudary Group Golf Club. Built in 2002, it has a 9-hole course. Being a new course, it is not yet a must-visit though you might find it enjoyable if you like to golf on different turfs. The Fulbari Resort and Spa, Pokhara has a challenging 9-hole executive class golf course. It is located at a 5 hour drive from the capital city of Kathmandu and offers some alternating tees, pin positions and greens. If you think you are a good golfer, Fulbari is the place to test your skills because the course laid out on the edge of Green Canyon can be quite treacherous. Pokhara has another golf club which goes by the name of Himalayan Golf Club. It has a 9-hole championship course resting in front of the Annapurna mountain range.
Golfing in Nepal has been honed to cater to tourists. Since the clientele includes people on the go, most of the courses offer competitive pricing. You can even look into special packages and deals. Also, most of them are located in beautifully natural environments and you will have the option of doing a lot more besides golfing.