A Golf Weekend in Kodaikanal for Four to Six Players
A morning round in the Palani Hills, lunch back at the bungalow, and one house by the lake for the group.
A good golf weekend is not only about the round.
It is about the hour before the round, when the house is still quiet and someone is waiting for coffee. It is about the drive to the club in cold morning air, golf bags loaded properly, the trees still wet, the mist undecided. It is about stepping onto a hill course where the ground is not flat, the weather changes quickly, and the round belongs to the Palani Hills as much as to the scorecard.
Then it is about coming back.
Shoes off. Clubs put away. Lunch at the bungalow. Someone sits in the garden. Someone else goes to the room for a rest. The non-golfers may have spent the morning by Kodaikanal Lake, at Bryant Park, in a café, or simply at the house with tea and a book.
By afternoon, the group is together again.
This is what makes a golf weekend in Kodaikanal different from a golf weekend built only around the course. The round gives the trip its structure, but the house gives the group somewhere to return to.
A morning at Kodaikanal Golf Club can become lunch at The Dunnottar. A slow afternoon can become a walk around the lake. The evening can gather in the living rooms, the garden, the South Garden Terrace, around dinner, by the bonfire if the weather allows, or around the wood-fired pizza oven if arranged in advance.
The next day does not have to repeat the first.
A group can play again, or take the morning slowly. A couple can walk to the lake while the others rest. One golfer can read. Someone can work for an hour. The group can have breakfast properly, let the weather decide the pace, and leave Kodaikanal without feeling that the whole weekend was squeezed into one tee time.
For four to six golfers — especially friends, couples travelling together, or a small group where not everyone plays — this rhythm matters.
Play in the morning. Return to one house by the lake.
That is the proposition.
But the first rule is practical.
Kodaikanal Golf Club is a private members’ club. Staying at The Dunnottar does not grant access, include a tee time, or create playing rights. Golfers must confirm eligibility and secure their arrangements directly with the club before organising non-refundable travel around a proposed round.
The Dunnottar provides the house.
The club controls the golf.
Best for: Four to six experienced golfers
Recommended stay: Two nights for one round; three nights for two rounds
Recommended configuration: Whole Bungalow
Golf access: Must be confirmed directly with Kodaikanal Golf Club
Meals: Breakfast included; other meals on request and charged separately
Transport: Local taxis can be coordinated separately
First, confirm the golf
Before planning the weekend around golf, confirm that the group can play.
Kodaikanal Golf Club is a private members’ club. Its current public website does not publish a complete general visitor procedure for every type of golfer.
Some golfers may have a clear route through reciprocal-club membership, a member introduction, or written approval from the club. Others may need to enquire directly and confirm whether visitor play is possible for their proposed date.
Do not assume that a visitor can simply arrive, pay a green fee and play.
The correct order is:
Confirm eligibility with Kodaikanal Golf Club.
Confirm the tee time or tee times.
Confirm charges, documentation and dress code.
Confirm accommodation and transport.
Plan the rest of the weekend around the round.
For the detailed access guide, see Golf in Kodaikanal: Planning a Stay Near Kodaikanal Golf Club.
Who this weekend is for
This weekend works best for experienced golfers who already have, or can credibly obtain, access to Kodaikanal Golf Club.
That may include:
Members of clubs with reciprocal affiliations
Golfers introduced by a Kodaikanal Golf Club member
Kodaikanal Golf Club members travelling with friends
Golfers who have received written confirmation from the club
NRI or international golfers who belong to recognised clubs and are prepared to contact Kodaikanal Golf Club directly
It is also well suited to mixed groups.
Four people may play golf while two do not. Two couples may travel together, with only one or two golfers in the group. A group of friends may include serious golfers, occasional players and partners who prefer the lake, the garden and the house.
That is where Kodaikanal works well.
The course does not have to carry the entire trip. The town, lake and house hold the rest of the weekend.
This is not designed for beginners arriving without a handicap, equipment or confirmed permission to play. Nor is it for groups expecting The Dunnottar to arrange admission to the club.
Why four to six players works
Four to six is a useful number for a golf trip.
It is large enough for the journey to feel collective, but small enough to organise without turning the weekend into an event.
Four golfers may be accommodated within one conventional playing group, subject to the club’s rules. Five or six golfers may require two tee times, staggered starts or pairing arrangements determined by Kodaikanal Golf Club.
Away from the course, the same number fits naturally into a private house.
At The Dunnottar, four or five golfers can occupy the five ensuite bedrooms individually. A sixth golfer would need to share according to the agreed room and bed arrangement.
The group still has the full house: living rooms, dining spaces, studies, lawns, patios and garden terraces.
That matters.
A hotel splits the group into rooms.
A private house keeps the day connected.
Why Kodaikanal works for a golf weekend
Kodaikanal Golf Club was founded in 1895. Its present layout has 18 holes, plays to par 71 and measures 6,139 yards from the blue tees.
The course moves through the terrain of the Palani Hills. Its holes carry names including Old Long’un, Devil’s Dip, Tiger, Punch Bowl, Sentinel, New Long’un and Home.
This is not a flat resort layout detached from its destination. Elevation, trees, weather and uneven ground are part of the round.
Kodaikanal’s appeal lies in what happens beyond the course as well.
The town gives a golf group somewhere to spend the full day rather than simply moving between a hotel room and a clubhouse. The lake, Bryant Park, walks, cafés and the bungalow remain available when the round is over, or when weather changes the plan.
For a group travelling from the heat of Chennai, Bengaluru, Coimbatore or Madurai, the cooler air changes the pace immediately.
For golfers visiting from farther away, Kodaikanal can sit within a wider journey through Tamil Nadu or South India.
For a wider historical view, see India’s Historic Golf Clubs: From Royal Calcutta to Kodaikanal.
The Whole Bungalow as the base
The Dunnottar can be booked as the Whole Bungalow, North Bungalow or South Bungalow.
For a dedicated group of four to six golfers, the Whole Bungalow is the strongest arrangement.
It has five ensuite bedrooms across the North and South Bungalows:
The Dunnottar Suite
Master Bedroom
The Rose Library
The Boiler Room
The Old Study
When the Whole Bungalow is booked, the complete house and one-acre grounds are private to the group. There are no other guests on the property.
The group has bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, studies, patios, lawns and garden terraces together.
Four golfers can take four bedrooms and retain one spare room. Five golfers can each take a bedroom. A group of six will need one shared room, with the exact arrangement agreed before booking.
North Bungalow has two bedrooms and can sleep up to seven guests, but it requires more room sharing. South Bungalow has three bedrooms and can sleep up to eight, but also requires shared rooms. When either bungalow is booked separately, its interiors are private, while the outdoor grounds may be shared if the other bungalow is occupied.
For golfers who value separate bedrooms, equipment space and full-group privacy, booking the Whole Bungalow is usually the correct decision even though its maximum capacity is higher than the group size.
The group is not paying only for beds.
It is paying for the house to itself.
A two-night golf weekend
A two-night stay works best for one principal round.
The first day is for arrival. The second carries the golf. The third allows breakfast and departure without turning the whole weekend into a race.
Day one: arrive and let the group settle.
Reach Kodaikanal with enough time to complete the hill journey without pressure.
The drive up matters. The group should not arrive already late, hungry and trying to solve the next morning’s details in the dark.
At the bungalow, everyone settles into the rooms. Golf bags are brought in. The next morning’s arrangements are checked once, properly.
Before dinner, confirm:
Tee time
Golf documents
Departure time
Driver
Vehicle size
Club-bag capacity
Return pickup
Breakfast arrangement
Lunch timing after the round
Dinner can be requested from the bungalow kitchen in advance and charged separately.
The first evening should remain simple. Food at the house, a walk outside if the weather allows, and an early enough night for the golfers who care about the morning round.
A golf weekend should not begin by exhausting the group.
Day two: play, return, and let the house take over.
The morning begins before the usual rhythm of the house.
Tea or coffee may be possible if arranged in advance. Golfers leave with membership cards, introduction letters, handicap certificates, identification, club confirmation, golf shoes, a waterproof layer, a change of socks and the payment method required by the club.
Kodaikanal Golf Club controls registration, playing order, access and all course-related services.
After the round, return to The Dunnottar.
This is where the house matters.
Lunch can be requested in advance from the bungalow kitchen. Golf shoes come off. Wet or used clothing can be sent to the paid laundry service, although same-day return should not be assumed unless confirmed by the team.
The afternoon should not be overplanned.
Some of the group may walk to Kodaikanal Lake. Others may sit in the garden. Someone may sleep. Someone may read indoors if the mist comes in. Partners or friends who did not play may have spent the morning at Bryant Park, in town, at a café or at the bungalow.
By evening, everyone is back in one place.
Dinner can happen at the house. A bonfire can be arranged in designated areas if the weather allows. Wood-fired pizzas are available on request and charged separately. These should be planned in advance rather than assumed on the day.
For many groups, this is the best part of the weekend: the round is over, the air is cool, the house is warm, and nobody has to go anywhere.
Day three: breakfast, lake, departure.
Breakfast is included.
If departure is not too early, the final morning can be slow: breakfast, a short walk to the lake, coffee in the garden, final packing and the descent from Kodaikanal.
A second round on departure day should only be attempted if the tee time, house departure arrangements, luggage and onward transport all fit comfortably.
For most two-night groups, one good round is better than two rushed ones.
A three-night golf stay
Three nights is better for two rounds, variable weather, golfers travelling from farther away, or groups who want the stay to feel less compressed.
Day one: arrive.
Arrive, settle into the bungalow, confirm all golf arrangements, and keep the first evening at the house.
Day two: first round.
Play the principal round. Return for lunch, rest and dinner at the bungalow.
Day three: second round or slow day.
The third day can carry a second confirmed round.
It can also remain flexible.
If weather changes, or the group decides not to play again, the day still works: lake walk, Bryant Park, cafés, time in the garden, reading, a longer lunch, a nap, or simply being at the house.
This is especially useful for couples travelling together or groups where not everyone plays.
The weekend is not spoiled if only part of it becomes golf.
Day four: breakfast and onward journey.
Have breakfast, settle the bungalow account and begin the descent from Kodaikanal without adding another fixed commitment.
Three nights give the trip space.
In the hills, that space is useful.
Partners, spouses and friends who do not play
A Kodaikanal golf weekend does not need to be only for golfers.
The Dunnottar is particularly useful when some of the group plays and some do not.
While the golfers are at the course, the others can:
Have breakfast at the bungalow
Walk beside Kodaikanal Lake
Visit Bryant Park
Go boating
Sit in the garden
Read or work from the house
Visit cafés and shops
Arrange lunch for the group’s return
Everyone meets again at the house.
This is a stronger arrangement than asking non-golfers to spend the weekend waiting around a golf-focused resort or sitting separately in hotel rooms.
The point of the trip is not only the round.
It is the group.
What is included at The Dunnottar
The Whole Bungalow gives the group:
Five ensuite bedrooms
Private use of the complete house and grounds
Breakfast for every registered guest
Daily housekeeping
House staff on site
Hot water
Room heaters
Wi-Fi
Living and dining spaces
One acre of lawns, eucalyptus, pine and garden paths
Access to garden terraces
Bonfire spaces
A wood-fired pizza oven
Help coordinating local taxis and transfers
Laundry service at an additional charge
Breakfast is included.
Lunch, dinner, snacks, tiffin, grill dishes and wood-fired pizzas are available from the bungalow kitchen on request and charged separately.
The Dunnottar is a carefully restored 19th-century Scottish bungalow on Kodaikanal Lake. It has been in the Puliyadi family since 1947 and remains a family home opened to guests rather than a golf resort or conventional hotel.
What The Dunnottar does not include
Accommodation does not include:
Admission to Kodaikanal Golf Club
A tee time
Green fees
Member introduction
Handicap verification
Golf insurance
Caddies
Buggies
Pull-carts
Rental clubs
Coaching
Practice balls
Locker-room access
Clubhouse food or drinks
Golf-course transport unless separately arranged
Compensation for weather-related golf cancellation
These arrangements remain between the golfers and Kodaikanal Golf Club.
The Bungalow Manager can help coordinate a local vehicle once the group has confirmed its playing schedule. The driver and vehicle are independent of the golf club, subject to availability and charged separately.
Breakfast and early tee times
Breakfast at The Dunnottar is included for every registered guest. The established breakfast service is from 8:00 am to 10:00 am.
If the confirmed tee time requires the golfers to leave before breakfast service, the group organiser should ask in advance whether coffee, tea or a simple early arrangement can be made.
Do not assume that a full early breakfast or packed golf meal is included.
The team must confirm what is operationally possible for the specific date. This is especially important when four to six golfers are departing together before the kitchen’s normal hours.
For a later tee time, the normal breakfast can include fruit, bread, eggs, coffee, tea and a changing South Indian dish.
Transporting golf clubs
Tell The Dunnottar at the enquiry stage that the group is travelling with golf bags.
A standard car that works for four passengers may not hold four full golf bags and weekend luggage. Five or six golfers may require a larger vehicle or more than one car.
Before arrival, confirm:
Number of passengers
Number of golf bags
Number of suitcases
Pickup time
Return time
Whether the driver waits or returns later
Total transport charge
Cancellation terms
Whether the vehicle can operate safely in poor weather
The Bungalow Manager can help coordinate local taxis, but the vehicle specification must be agreed with the transport provider.
If rain changes the plan
Kodaikanal can be cold, wet or misty even when the day begins clearly.
The club decides whether play proceeds, pauses or is cancelled. The Dunnottar cannot influence that decision or guarantee refunds for golf charges.
A weather plan should therefore be part of the weekend from the beginning.
If golf is delayed or cancelled, the group still has:
The full private bungalow
Living rooms and studies
Books and board games
The garden when conditions permit
Kodaikanal Lake
Bryant Park
Cafés and the town
Lunch and dinner from the bungalow kitchen
A bonfire or pizza evening when weather and operations allow
This is one reason the house matters.
A cancelled round should be disappointing, but it should not leave six people sitting separately in hotel rooms with nothing to do.
The access checklist
Before confirming the trip, the group organiser should hold the following information for every golfer:
Full name
Home golf club
Membership number
Handicap index
Handicap certificate
Reciprocal-club status
Introduction letter, where required
Kodaikanal Golf Club confirmation
Tee time
Green fee
Caddie request
Equipment request
Dress-code confirmation
Clubhouse-access confirmation
Cancellation terms
For a group of five or six, also confirm whether the club will:
Provide two tee times
Pair players with another group
Permit staggered starts
Require a minimum number per flight
Restrict visitor play on the selected day
Do not wait until arrival to resolve these questions.
For access details, see Golf in Kodaikanal: Planning a Stay Near Kodaikanal Golf Club.
Frequently asked questions
Does staying at The Dunnottar include access to Kodaikanal Golf Club?
No. Golf-club access, tee times and charges are separate from the accommodation booking and controlled entirely by Kodaikanal Golf Club.
Can The Dunnottar arrange a tee time?
No. The Dunnottar cannot grant or guarantee playing access. Golfers must secure confirmation directly from Kodaikanal Golf Club.
Who has the strongest route to access?
Members of clubs with current reciprocal affiliations, golfers introduced by a Kodaikanal Golf Club member and visitors who have already received written approval have the clearest route. All conditions must still be confirmed directly.
Can unaffiliated golfers play?
Possibly, depending on the club’s current rules. The official website does not publish a complete general visitor procedure. Contact the club before booking travel around golf.
Which Dunnottar configuration is best for four to six golfers?
The Whole Bungalow. It gives the group five ensuite bedrooms and the complete house and grounds privately. North and South can accommodate the numbers but require more bedroom sharing, and the outdoor grounds may be shared if the other bungalow is occupied.
Can every golfer have a separate room?
Four or five golfers can each use one of the five bedrooms. In a group of six, two golfers will need to share according to the agreed bed arrangement.
Is breakfast included?
Yes. Breakfast is included for every registered guest. The standard breakfast service is from 8:00 am to 10:00 am.
Can an earlier breakfast be arranged?
Ask before arrival. An early coffee or simple arrangement may be possible, but a full early breakfast or packed meal should not be assumed until confirmed by the team.
Can lunch and dinner be arranged?
Yes. Lunch, dinner, tiffin, snacks, grill dishes and wood-fired pizzas are available from the bungalow kitchen on request and charged separately.
Is laundry available?
Yes. Laundry is available on request and charged separately. Same-day return should be confirmed rather than assumed.
Are rental clubs available?
Ask Kodaikanal Golf Club directly. Do not travel without clubs unless the club has confirmed suitable equipment for every golfer.
Can The Dunnottar arrange transport?
The Bungalow Manager can help coordinate a local taxi or suitable vehicle. Transport is subject to availability and charged separately.
Is there specialist golf-club storage?
The Dunnottar does not currently advertise specialist club storage. Golfers should ask how equipment can be kept during the stay and remain responsible for their clubs.
What happens if the course closes because of rain?
The club controls play and any golf-related refund or rescheduling. The accommodation booking remains separate.
How many nights should we book?
Two nights works for one principal round. Three nights is better for two rounds, variable weather and a less compressed journey.
Enquiring about a golf-group stay
Before contacting The Dunnottar, confirm the playing arrangements directly with Kodaikanal Golf Club wherever possible.
When enquiring about accommodation, include:
Proposed arrival and departure dates
Total group size
Number of golfers
Number of non-golfers
Whether golf access is confirmed
Tee-time dates and departure times
Number of golf bags
Preferred room-sharing arrangement
Meal requirements
Transport requirements
Whether the group wants a bonfire or pizza evening
The Dunnottar will confirm the accommodation, meals and practical arrangements separately from the golf booking.
WhatsApp: +91 98400 99939 · Email: info@thedunnottarkodai.in
Play in the morning. Return to one house by the lake.
Planning a Kodaikanal golf trip for four to six players?
Confirm your golf arrangements directly with Kodaikanal Golf Club, then send us your dates, group size and rooming requirements.
