A Long-Standing Dream
I had always dreamed of playing golf, but I never thought I’d get the chance to do it. I was an avid sportsperson, having played cricket, badminton, and other sports throughout my life. However, golf was the one sport that had always eluded me. The main reasons were that Lucknow didn’t have a public golf course, and it was an expensive sport.
The turning point and healing journey to Coorg
Then came a moment of transformation.
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 the Scotland of India. This was around September 2021, when I was a youthful 72.
We stayed at one of Amma’s properties, which not only boasted picturesque views and luxurious amenities but also offered 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 perhaps pronounce it as “goff” or “gowff” or “goaf.” My familiarity with golf was limited to its name and occasional mentions in conversation.
The Magical Greens & first step to golf
On our first day at Amma’s estate, while exploring the forests of Coorg, we stumbled upon a vast stretch of rolling green land. The sight was so breathtaking that we all exclaimed in unison, “It’s a golf course!” The pristine greens sparked something within me. Though I had no idea how to play, the sight of the course ignited a deep desire within me. Over the next two days, with encouragement from my two sons-in-law, we played golf. The experience was unlike anything I’d ever encountered—it was almost otherworldly. The feel of the club in my hands brought a great sense of pride. At first, I was clumsy, my swings awkward, and my shots unpredictable. Yet, each attempt was a new lesson, and each stroke brought a sense of accomplishment. By the end of those two days, I had rekindled a childhood dream I didn’t even realize I still had.
Desire to continue & A Lifelong Passion Realized
Returning to Dehradun, I couldn’t shake the memory of that delightful yet brief golf experience in 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 reserved for military personnel. Gaining access to these clubs posed a significant challenge. However, one of our close family friends, Colonel Govind Pant, was a member of the DSOI Club. Thanks to his recommendation, I was allowed to practice at their golf range. Colonel Pant was even generous enough to lend me his spare clubs. This arrangement for practice at DSOI continued for nearly five months. Six months later, fortune smiled on me when a rare opportunity came up—membership at the FRIMA Golf Course was opened to public sector employees, including retirees. Since I had worked at Bharat Petroleum, I was eligible and quickly secured a membership. The FRIMA Golf Club is managed by the Indian Military Academy and the Forest Research Institute. With my membership secured, my first step was to purchase my own golf kit and return the set Colonel Pant had kindly lent me. Initially, I settled down for a second-hand set. At first, I was only permitted to practice at the range, with the condition that I needed to achieve a handicap of 18 before being allowed to play on the actual course. I put in a lot of effort, dedicating countless hours to mastering the fundamentals. I familiarized myself with the different types of clubs, studied the nuances of the greens, learned about tee-off points, and understood terms like par and birdie. In the evenings, I spent hours watching golf videos on YouTube, soaking up as much knowledge as possible It took me roughly three months to reach a handicap of 18—a significant milestone. The next challenge was finding a group of four golfers to play with. Luckily, I was welcomed into a group with Col. Nautiyal, Col. Datt, and Captain Rawat. The average age of the group was 62, and my age, now 73, brought down the average. The support and motivation from these three greatly accelerated my progress. While I haven’t been tracking my performance lately, my handicap is probably around 18. What once seemed like an unattainable dream—golf—has now become an integral part of my life. Noticing my enthusiasm for the game, my family began gifting me golf-related items. I received T-shirts, shoes, stylish sunglasses, golf belts, caps, and other golf accessories. In our family, we have a tradition of taking an annual vacation abroad. During our last two trips, one to Australia and the other to Azerbaijan, I had the opportunity to play on international golf courses. Playing on these courses taught me how to handle windy conditions, refine my skills at escaping deep sand bunkers, and master shots over water hazards—challenges not commonly found on domestic courses. In a way, starting 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 has blossomed into a lifelong passion, proving that even in our later years, we can still find new pursuits that bring fulfillment and joy.
