Quick answer
Sri Lanka has four main courses for a cricket tour: the Royal Colombo Golf Club, founded in 1879, near the Colombo grounds; a scenic course near Digana overlooking the Victoria reservoir, about 30 to 40 minutes from Kandy and close to Pallekele; the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club in the hill country; and a resort course near Hambantota. Visitors pay green fees, hire clubs and use caddies. Tee off early to avoid the heat.
Key takeaways
- The Royal Colombo Golf Club, founded in 1879, is the closest course to the Colombo grounds.
- A hill course near Digana, overlooking the Victoria reservoir, is close to Pallekele.
- Nuwara Eliya Golf Club sits in the cool hill country.
- A resort course near Hambantota suits a white-ball leg there.
- Green fees, club hire and caddies are standard for visitors.
Colombo
The Royal Colombo Golf Club, founded in 1879, is one of the oldest golf clubs outside Britain. The course in Borella is flat and tree-lined, with a railway line crossing it, and is a short drive from the SSC, the P Sara Oval and central hotels.
It suits a morning round before an afternoon or evening match at the Premadasa, or a rest day during a Colombo leg. Visitors can usually play with a green fee, though tee times can be limited at weekends.
The heat is the main challenge, so book an early tee time and carry plenty of water.
The clubhouse has a long history of its own, with members' boards and photographs going back to the colonial era, and a drink on the veranda after the round is part of the experience.
- →Founded 1879, in Borella.
- →Close to the Colombo grounds.
- →Book an early tee time.
Near Kandy and Pallekele
A course near Digana, east of Kandy, overlooks the Victoria reservoir with hills all around, and is widely considered one of the most scenic in South Asia. It is about 30 to 40 minutes from Kandy and very close to Pallekele stadium.
That makes it an ideal round on a free day during a Pallekele leg, perhaps the morning before a day-night match. The course is hilly, so a cart or caddie helps.
Lankan Stays & Trails can arrange transfers and tee times for fans who want a round during the Kandy leg.
- →Overlooks the Victoria reservoir.
- →Close to Pallekele.
- →Hilly; use a cart or caddie.
Nuwara Eliya
The Nuwara Eliya Golf Club, founded in 1889, sits in the middle of the hill-country town, at around 1,900 metres. The air is cool, the fairways are lined with pines and eucalyptus, and the clubhouse has a colonial feel.
It fits a hill-country stay after a Pallekele leg, along with tea estates and Horton Plains. Weather can be misty and showery, especially mid-year.
Dress codes are stricter here than at resort courses, so bring collared shirts.
- →Founded 1889, at about 1,900 metres.
- →Cool, misty and colonial.
- →Collared shirts expected.
Near Hambantota
A resort course near Hambantota, on the south coast, suits fans following a white-ball leg at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium. The course is open, with coastal views and dry weather mid-year, when the south-east is drier than Galle.
It pairs with a Yala safari for a varied few days in the deep south.
- →Resort course near Hambantota.
- →Drier in the mid-year window.
- →Pairs with Yala.
Practical tips
Visitors pay green fees, and clubs can usually be hired, though keen golfers may prefer to bring their own. Caddies are customary and expected, and a tip at the end is normal. Check dress codes in advance, as some clubs require collared shirts and tailored shorts or trousers.
Tee off early, between about 6.30 and 8 am, to avoid the heat, and carry water. Book through your hotel or driver, especially at weekends.
Golf also suits partners and non-cricket friends travelling with a fan, and a round can be a good way to fill a day when a Test ends early. Courses are rarely crowded on weekdays, so a tee time can often be booked a day ahead.
- →Green fees, club hire and caddies.
- →Check dress codes.
- →Tee off early.
Frequently asked questions
Where can you play golf on a cricket tour of Sri Lanka?
The main options are the Royal Colombo Golf Club near the Colombo grounds, a scenic course near Digana close to Pallekele, the Nuwara Eliya Golf Club in the hill country, and a resort course near Hambantota. All take visitors with green fees.
Is there a golf course near Pallekele stadium?
Yes, a course near Digana, overlooking the Victoria reservoir, is very close to Pallekele and about 30 to 40 minutes from Kandy. It is one of the most scenic courses in South Asia and fits a free morning during a Pallekele leg.
How old is the Royal Colombo Golf Club?
The Royal Colombo Golf Club was founded in 1879, making it one of the oldest golf clubs outside Britain. The course in Borella is flat and tree-lined, with a railway line crossing it, and is close to the SSC and central hotels.
Do you need to bring golf clubs to Sri Lanka?
Clubs can usually be hired at the main courses, so you do not need to bring your own. Keen golfers often prefer their own set. Check with the club in advance about hire availability, especially at weekends.
Are caddies used in Sri Lanka?
Yes, caddies are customary at Sri Lankan courses and are usually expected. They know the course well and help with reading greens. A tip at the end of the round is normal. Ask the club or your hotel about the usual amount.
What should you wear for golf in Sri Lanka?
Collared shirts and tailored shorts or trousers are expected at most clubs, with stricter codes at older clubs such as Nuwara Eliya. Bring a hat and sunscreen for the heat, and a light layer for the cooler hill-country course.
When should you tee off in Sri Lanka?
Tee off early, between about 6.30 and 8 am, to avoid the heat on the coast and around Kandy. In Nuwara Eliya, mornings can be misty and cool, so a slightly later start is fine. Carry plenty of water at all courses.
Can you book a round of golf at short notice in Sri Lanka?
On weekdays, a tee time can often be booked a day ahead, especially at the Colombo and Kandy area courses. Weekends are busier with members, so book further ahead. Your hotel or driver can usually arrange the booking and transfers.