JOIN THE CLUB
DISCOVER THE CHARM OF A CITY THAT SPELLS EXCESS AND ENTERTAINMENT. SPICE COASTS ON THE LUXURY HUB NESTING LOFTILY AMID THE SILENT MAJESTY OF THE SAHYADRIS.
Aholiday may be kosher, but there is a different timbre to a weekend; it is an island of pleasure and indulgence amid a pool of duty and worry. Where weekends are a gift of civilisation, Aamby Valley offers a hole on one. Quite literally. It is the only planned luxury city to have a PGA accredited golfing academy. If that doesn’t make you want to join the tee party, there’s more that makes it attractive.
The Valley offers the country’s first 18- hole floodlit golf course, a mere 20 minutes by chopper from Mumbai ( services offered by Aamby Valley itself). Naturally, the course is internationally accredited and is a marvel of British Golf architecture, specially designed for those who value challenges. It has been designed by David Hemstock associates ( UK) and upgraded and remodelled for championship by PGA DC of Great Britain and Ireland. This golf course has numerous recognitions to its fame; it has been voted the best golf facility of India for the year 2004- 2005. In addition, Aamby Valley golf course has also won the Asian Golf Monthly Awards in the category of Best Course in India.
Situated at 2,700 feet above sea level, the course is 7,087 yards long and uses the natural terrain of the Sahyadri ranges. The undulating fairways run along the natural lay of the land while the greens are highly contoured. The unique feature of the course is the different character between the holes in the front nine which have a series of ( valleys) crossing the course and the back nine holes are interspersed with water bodies. The course has a minimum of five set of tees to cater to professionals and high handicappers, making it convenient and enjoyable irrespective of whether you are a beginner or pro.
Amateurs can take it a notch further by taking advantage of the customised tutelage available at the PGA Golf Academy. The academy comprises 22 covered bays extending to 400 yards, a double- ended grass range with target greens and a 12- man group bunker. In addition, you can hone your short game on the purpose built short game area and large putting green that uses advanced coaching techniques like gasp video analysis, bio- mechanics, and launch angel achiever.
Of course, if all that club wielding leaves you a little bushed, give it up at The Legend, an English pub with the perfect golf course view. Idle away the daylight hours or simply brighten
the nocturnal journey amid the verdant abundance of simple beauty and complex cocktails. Foot- tapping music and the casual ambience offer the ideal backdrop to exchange golfing anecdotes or brags of putting glory; you can also just enjoy a sundowner.
Women reluctant to join the club need not mourn like golf widows for there’s plenty to soak up their time and space. Discover the haven of tranquillity at the Ila Spa. It houses the Kerala Ayurvedic Centre and a salon called Vogue. Drive away the city blues with a Swedish or deep tissue massage to ease those aching limbs. Limber up with the aromatherapy, body polish, or cellulite treatments and silence those deafening worries amid the calm of the Sahyadri: a thing of beauty is a toy forever.