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If you are wondering what exactly a golf resort means for golfers and non-golfers, here is the differentiation: “I guess the easiest definition of a golf resort would be a golfing destination that includes accommodation and amenities which cater to the golf enthusiast.

The amenities I speak of usually include a practice facility with possibly a golfing and teaching academy, and one or more 18-hole courses,” opines Mohamed.

“In some cases these facilities may include extra activities such as spa, beaches, tennis, backpacking, and suchlike. It provides the golfing enthusiast a vacation package based around the love for the game. For the non-golfer, it provides an opportunity to be introduced to the game through the teaching facilities with golfing professionals on hand.”

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A top class resort involves five-star accommodation, services, and a golf course, which is maintained at a championship level.

“Besides golf, you need to offer a perfect retreat which includes additional sports facilities like say a tennis court and gym. Facilities for children are requested (playgrounds, games, sport activities). Food and beverage is an important signature for a resort. High quality, as well as the health factor, is important, for instance, Seasons Hotel will have one acre of land for an organic farm for vegetables and herbs,” says Stoll.

To be a top class golf resort, the location has to be really special.

“Great accommodation, designer golf courses - ideally more than one course so that the golfers can have a dedicated short golf break at one location, such as Turnberry Golf Resort (Ayrshire), Fairmont Hotel (St Andrews), Gleneagles Golf Resort (Perthshire) - and a choice of activities and entertainment for accompanying non-golfers, a world class spa, child care facilities perhaps, and, more importantly, high service levels,” elaborates Sachdev.

Eagleton, The Golf Village, in Bibadi, Bangalore, is a 500-acre golf resort with an 18-hole, par-72 course, spread over an expanse of 168-acres, designed by Phil Ryan of Pacific Coast Designs Group, Australia.

“A top-class golf club should offer an impeccably designed golf course; a well-equipped driving range with trained professionals and instructors is a must. Living facilities should be on par with five-star leisure facilities, offering a wide culinary range,” explains Chetan Meda, director, Eagleton, The Golf Village.

The average age of a golfer has also fallen significantly, indicating an exponential growth in this sector. “In fact, the first ever junior golf championship with participation from some South-East Asian countries as well, will be taking place at our resort in November 2009,” says Stoll.

Even though golf is everywhere these days, in some countries, it still caters only to the fortunate and is still not accessible to the masses.

“A perfect example of this is the city of Mumbai, where only a very small percentage of people have access to the facilities. For the game to be introduced and to grow on an exponential level, there must be more accessibility available. I’ve heard of different programmes and indoor practice facilities on the verge of opening, and an introduction to junior programmes that may be the gateway for the masses to learn more about the game,” says Mohamed.