The Tollygunge Club
Founded in 1895 on a former indigo plantation, the Tollygunge Club was effectively India's first country club. A mature, tree lined par 70 of about 6,300 yards, a green oasis in the heart of Kolkata.
Photo: Prabal Nag via Google.
The verdict
The Tollygunge Club, known affectionately as Tolly, is one of the most characterful golf settings in India. Founded in 1895 by Sir William Cruikshank as a meeting place for British merchants and bankers, it was laid out on a former indigo plantation and became, in effect, the first country club of its kind in the country. The grounds remain a remarkable green refuge inside one of the busiest cities on earth.
The golf is a locally well regarded, tree lined parkland layout that plays to a par of 70 over about 6,300 yards. It is a shorter, strategic course where placement and a sharp short game matter more than power. It sits close to the historic Royal Calcutta Golf Club, making the two an easy and rewarding Kolkata double for any visiting golfer.
Tollygunge Club at a glance
- Founded
- 1895
- Founder
- Sir William Cruikshank
- Type
- Historic parkland country club
- Par
- 70
- Yardage
- About 6,300 yds
- Green fee
- Private, indicative
History, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the club and leading course databases. The Tollygunge Club was founded in 1895 on a former indigo plantation and plays to a par of 70 over about 6,300 yards of mature, tree lined parkland. Tolly is a private members club, so any visitor or guest rate is arranged through the club and changes by season and year. Always confirm access and the current fee directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
At about 6,300 yards the Tollygunge Club is a shorter course, and that is exactly its appeal. It is a placement and short game test where the driver often stays in the bag, the line off the tee is everything, and the well defended greens reward an accurate approach and a confident putter over raw length.
The layout is defined by its trees, hundreds of mature specimens that turn the corridors into shaded avenues and lend the round a calm, almost rural feel despite the city pressing in on every side. Wildlife is part of the experience, and the grounds double as one of Kolkata's great green lungs. The conditioning holds up well given the demands of the climate.
For a visiting player the round is less about the scorecard and more about the atmosphere, a historic club with deep colonial roots, a grand clubhouse and a sense of unhurried tradition. Paired with Royal Calcutta a short distance away, it makes Kolkata a genuinely worthwhile golf stop on a wider India trip.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Private members club; visitors usually play as a member's guest, through a reciprocal arrangement, or via a golf travel specialist |
| Green fee | No published public fee; any guest or visitor rate is arranged through the club (indicative, 2026) |
| Booking | Arrange in advance; weekdays are quieter than member weekends |
| On the day | Smart golf attire and soft spikes required; caddies are part of the experience; the wider club offers dining and facilities |
| Getting there | Tollygunge in south Kolkata, about 45 minutes to an hour from the airport, served by the metro nearby |
| Best months | November to February for the cool, dry season, avoiding the summer heat and the monsoon |
Access arrangements verified June 2026; Tolly is private and policies change, so always confirm directly before planning a visit with the club or your trip planner.
Where to stay nearby
Kolkata's hotels run from heritage city center landmarks to modern towers near the airport and the southern districts close to the club. A central base puts the city's colonial architecture, dining and culture within reach alongside the golf, and the Tollygunge Club itself maintains accommodation for members and guests.
Tolly is best played as part of a Kolkata double with the neighboring Royal Calcutta Golf Club, then built into a wider India tour alongside the Delhi Golf Club and the championship Karnataka Golf Association in Bangalore. Our team can arrange the tee times, lodging and transfers.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Tollygunge Club.
Build a Kolkata golf trip
Tolly is private and historic, so access takes planning. We work to secure the tee times where access allows, pair them with the best of a wider India itinerary, and book the lodging and transfers around them. Tell us roughly when and who is traveling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Tollygunge Club questions
When was the Tollygunge Club founded?
The Tollygunge Club was founded in 1895 by Sir William Cruikshank, on the grounds of a former indigo plantation in south Kolkata. It is regarded as India's first country club.
What is the par and length of the Tollygunge Club golf course?
The course plays to a par of 70 over about 6,300 yards. It is a mature, tree lined parkland layout that rewards accuracy over length.
Is the Tollygunge Club only a golf club?
No. Tolly is a full country club with dining, sport and social facilities as well as the golf course, set within an extensive green estate in the city.
Can visitors play the Tollygunge Club?
Tolly is a private members club. Visiting golfers usually play as a member's guest, through a reciprocal arrangement, or via a golf travel specialist, so arrange a tee time in advance.
Related
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Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. History, par and yardage verified June 2026 from the club and leading course databases; indicative green fees verified June 2026 and change by season and year, so always confirm directly before booking. Last reviewed June 2026.