134-Year-Old Gulmarg Golf Course Set to Reopen Next Month
Kashmir's historic high-altitude course is nearing full restoration, with officials eyeing national and international tournaments
Gulmarg's 134-year-old golf course, one of the world's highest, is set to reopen next month after a major restoration drive by the J&K government.
A Course With a 134-Year Legacy
Tucked into a meadow beneath the Pir Panjal range, the Gulmarg Golf Course is one of India's oldest sporting institutions. It traces back to 1890–91, when Colonel Neville Chamberlain laid out a six-hole course during the British era. Over the following century it grew into a full 18-hole layout, hosted its first championship in 1922, and was redesigned in 2011 by golf architect Ranjit Nanda. At 2,650 metres above sea level, it's counted among the highest green golf courses in the world, with sweeping alpine views that few courses anywhere can match.
Restoration Work Nears Completion
After sitting largely neglected for six to seven years, the course is now the focus of a dedicated revival effort. According to Gulmarg MLA Farooq Ahmad Shah, restoration work on the heritage course is underway, with authorities describing it as a valuable asset that had gone unattended for years. Tariq Hussain Naik, CEO of the Gulmarg Development Authority, said nine of the eighteen holes have already been fully restored, and work on the rest is progressing, with the full course expected to be functional within the month. Fencing around the course has also been completed as part of the upgrade.
Why This Reopening Matters
This isn't just routine upkeep — officials are positioning the course as a centerpiece of Gulmarg's tourism identity. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has spoken about turning the venue into a national and international-standard facility capable of hosting full-scale tournaments, acknowledging that the course had fallen into serious disrepair in recent years. The plan is to complete the remaining holes soon and use the course to draw golfers, and eventually major championships, back to Gulmarg.
What Comes Next
With nine holes restored and the rest close behind, authorities are hopeful of hosting a championship as early as September, with the longer-term goal of establishing Gulmarg as a global golf tourism destination over the next couple of years. For visitors, this means a rare chance to play — or simply walk — one of the highest and most scenic golf courses in the world, framed by alpine meadows and snow-capped peaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the Gulmarg Golf Course?
It's 134 years old, with origins dating back to 1890–91 when it was first laid out as a six-hole course.
When is it expected to reopen?
Officials expect the course to be fully operational next month, with nine of eighteen holes already restored as of late August 2026.
Is Gulmarg Golf Course open to the public?
Yes — it's typically open to visitors and golfers between April and November, before winter snow covers the course.
What makes it unique?
At roughly 2,650 metres elevation, it's one of the highest golf courses in the world, set in an alpine meadow surrounded by the Pir Panjal mountains.
Will it host tournaments?
Authorities are aiming to host a championship as early as September 2026, with plans for national and international tournaments going forward.