Swinging into Retirement: My Journey into Golf at 72
Golf always seemed like one of those angrezon wala sports—fancy clubs, hushed tones, and fees that could fund a family wedding. I was a total khel kud ka deewana, thriving on cricket, badminton, and any sport where you didn’t have to dress like a retired CEO. But golf? That remained the door ka rishtedaar I never met. In Lucknow, there wasn’t a public golf course in sight, and honestly, back then, affording golf was like dreaming of buying land on the moon—possible, but only for film stars and ministers
A Moment Of Transformation
Learning to Golf in a Military Town
My dear wife had passed away, creating a void in my heart. My children, keen to lift my spirits, planned a holiday to Coorg, also known as Scotland of India. This was around September 2021, when I was a youthful 72.
We stayed at one of Amma’s properties, having not only picturesque views and luxurious amenities but also golf facilities for its guests. I had heard about golf all my life—its exclusivity and elegance—but had never seen a golf course up close. I knew nothing about the game, except how to spell it and pronounce it as Goff or Gowff or Goaf. My familiarity with golf was limited to its name and the occasional mention in conversations, but nothing more.
On our first day at Amma’s estate, while we explored the forests of Coorg, we came across a vast stretch of rolling green land. The sight was so breathtaking that we all said in unison—it was a golf course.”. The sight of the well-kept greens sparked something within me. Though I did not know how to play, the sight of the course ignited a deep-seated desire within me.
Returning to Dehradun, I couldn’t get away from a short-lived but delightful golf experience at Coorg. The game had taken root in my heart, and the desire to learn more became irresistible.
There are three golf clubs in Dehradun, all of which belong to the defense and are exclusively for military personnel. Gaining access to these clubs was a significant challenge for me. However, one of our close family friends, Colonel Govind Pant, was a member of the DSOI Club. Thanks to his recommendation, I was able to practice golf there. The practice area, called Range, was the only place I was permitted to play. It would not be out of place to mention that Colonel Pant was generous enough to lend me his spare clubs.
This arrangement for practicing in DSOI continued for nearly five months.
New Beginnings at FRIMA Golf Course
Six months later, I got lucky when a rare opportunity came up—membership at FRIMA Golf Course was opened to Public Sector employees, including retirees. Since I had worked at Bharat Petroleum, I was able to secure a membership. The FRIMA Golf Club is managed by the Indian Military Academy and the Forest Research Institute.
Once I secured my membership, my first step was to purchase my own golf kit and return the one Colonel Pant had generously lent me. I initially considered settling for a second-hand set by spending around ₹25,000.
At the beginning, I was only allowed to practice at the range, with the stipulation that I needed to reach a handicap of 18 before I could play on the actual course.
From Dreams to Drives: Golf Becomes a Way of Life
I put in a lot of effort, dedicating countless hours to mastering the fundamentals. I familiarized myself with the various types of clubs, studied the nuances of the greens, understood the significance of the tee-off point, and learned the meanings of terms like par and birdie. In the evenings, I spent hours watching golf videos on YouTube, absorbing as much as I could.
It took me roughly three months to achieve this goal – a handicap of 18 – which felt like a significant accomplishment. The next hurdle to play in the course was finding a group of four golfers to join. Luckily, I was accepted into a group with Col. Nautiyal, Col. Datt, and Captain Rawat. The average age of the group is 62. My age, now 73, has brought down group’s average age. However, the support and motivation from these three have greatly accelerated my progress. While I haven’t tracked my performance lately, my handicap is probably around 15.
What had once seemed like an unattainable dream, golf, had now become an integral part of my life.
Noticing my enthusiasm and the joy I was getting from the game, my family members started giving me golf-related gifts. I received around T-shirts, shoes, stylish sunglasses, golf belts, caps and many other items.
In our family, it’s a yearly tradition to take a vacation abroad. During our last two trips, one to Australia and the other to Azerbaijan, I had the chance to play on international golf courses. Playing on international golf courses teaches you how to handle windy conditions, refine your skills in getting out of deep sand bunkers, and master shots over water hazards. These challenging conditions are often not found on domestic courses.
In our forthcoming Japan tour in December 2024, I plan to tick one more item from my bucket list – buying a new Golf kit.
In a way, golf at 72, is a reminder that it’s never too late to embrace new adventures and rediscover old dreams. What began as a holiday experience in Coorg had blossomed into a lifelong passion, proving that even in our later years, we can still find new pursuits that bring fulfillment and joy.
FAQs
Currently there are 4 Golf Courses in Dehradun:
- FRIMA Golf Course
- Army Mountain View Golf Couse – Commonly known as DSOI Golf Couse
- Air Force Golf Course, Clementown
- Pacific Golf Couse, Sahastra Dhara Road
- Another 18 holes Golf Course is being built by a private party near Village Paundha
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