Classic (Ridge & Valley)

The 27-hole course at the Classic Golf Resort was the first Jack Nicklaus course to open for play in India (Kalhaar Blues & Greens in Ahmedabad became the Golden Bear’s second Indian layout in 2012) when the Ridge, Valley and Canyon nines were unveiled in 1998.

Set out in the foothills of the Aravalli Range, on the outskirts of Gurugram, the course is characterised by wide, rolling fairways and fast, multi-tiered greens with water coming into play at many of the holes.

The Valley nine forms the back nine of the championship course and it’s on this circuit that many of the best holes are found. The 13th is a brute of a hole, playing uphill all the way from tee to green whilst the downhill 18th plays along a valley to a heavily contoured green full of breaks and borrows.

The country’s most prestigious golf tournament, the Indian Open, was first held at the Classic Golf Resort in 2000 when local hero Jyoti Randhawa won the competition. The event returned to the club the following season and this time Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee claimed the trophy.