Nuwara Eliya Golf Club

The food was well below what I expected, and the way the dress code was applied made the visit disappointing. My driver was neatly dressed in a classic shirt and dress pants, yet was told to leave the restaurant. Meanwhile, a bus tour group in very scruffy casual clothes and other guests wearing jeans were served without issue. I’ve been golfing for over 50 years and serve on the board of a well-known club. Golf is meant to stand for style, fairness and respect, so this inconsistency felt completely at odds with those values. Exclusivity needs to be lived, not just claimed.

We came to play golf and left very disappointed. The reception was unfriendly and unprofessional, and it gave us the impression that people were treated differently depending on who they were. The rental clubs were a mess: old, poorly kept, incomplete and from mixed brands. We asked for regular shafts but got stiff ones. When we requested a change, the replacement set was stiff too, with no real effort to meet what we’d asked for. We were charged the highest rate as well, then pressured to buy an overpriced polo because of a dress code that seemed excessive for the basic condition of the course. The course itself was poorly maintained and not especially interesting. Compared with courses in the United States, Australia or Europe, the standard overall fell far short of our expectations. I wouldn’t recommend spending two to four hours here, particularly with so many better things to see and do in Sri Lanka. The service, equipment and course were all a letdown.

The staff were warm, professional and welcoming, and the peaceful atmosphere made it easy to relax. Nuwara Eliya Golf Club is surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful scenery, with a well-kept course that made the day feel special. A lovely spot for golfers and for anyone who simply wants to enjoy the surroundings.

The setting is beautiful, and we had a nice team and caddie. The greens could use some work, though. The changing rooms are really old and feel depressing. People may call that colonial-era character, but they definitely need maintenance.