Luxury isn’t just about high-end real estate; it’s about sustained stewardship. Golf Links, a serene and meticulously maintained neighbourhood in the heart of Delhi, stands as a compelling example of this philosophy.Smooth internal roads — free of the usual urban congestion and encroachment — broad footpaths and well-placed streetlights create an environment that feels both orderly and inviting. Manicured parks, hanging flower baskets on lamp posts, clear signage at every intersection and a fountain encircled by flowering plants elevate this enclave from a standard residential zone to a curated environment.Golf Links reflects the consistent commitment of locals and the resident welfare association (RWA), who have over the decades maintained and upgraded its civic amenities while preserving its character. Their active collaboration with authorities, including New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), has ensured that the area has remained functional and vibrant.Part of Lutyens’ Delhi, Golf Links is defined by its striking bungalows — demarcated in 1952 on land that once formed part of the Delhi Golf Club (then known as Lodi Golf Club). These houses, mostly double-storey structures, continue to retain their original architectural essence, offering a rare continuity between past and present.“After the Partition, many members of the golf club, particularly the British, left India, pushing it to the brink of closure. The municipality, which used to manage it, issued an ultimatum: either turn self-sustaining or shut down. To raise funds, portions of the land were sold, leading to the creation of Golf Links and Kaka Nagar,” said N K Jain, a nonagenarian, who has been part of the colony since the beginning.Jain (97) added that his father, who retired as chief engineer of Punjab irrigation department, initially wanted to buy a plot in Chanakyapuri. However, due to limited availability and concerns over the plots located near a nullah, the family chose Golf Links.The story of this colony formally began on Aug 31, 1952, when the first auction of 212 plots was held under a modest shamiana. They were priced at around Rs 30 per square yard, and the process was far more subdued than the raucous competitive bidding usually seen today.“Not all plots were immediately sold. Their irregular shapes deterred buyers. A second auction in Dec cleared the remaining plots, some even at discounted rates,” said Ajay Mathur, president of Golf Links Association (GLA).Mathur’s family moved here in 1958 from Bhagirath Palace, which was congested even then. “While most of our relatives moved to Model Town and Safdarjung Airport, which marked Delhi’s boundary at the time, we chose to shift further south to escape the chaos,” he said.A pivotal moment in preserving the colony’s character came when the Land and Development Office proposed a market, similar to Jor Bagh. “A resident’s father, the late C L Chopra, challenged this in court, arguing that no such market had been part of the original layout presented during the auctions. The matter ended in a compromise, with Red Cross allotted the designated plot instead. Thus, Chopra helped preserve the colony’s quiet, non-commercial nature,” said Aangan Dalal, secretary of Golf Links RWA.Today, its community centre serves as a vibrant hub for the residents. Beyond meetings and gatherings, it hosts a range of sporting activities, with facilities for badminton, basketball, table tennis and a gymnasium fostering a strong sense of community life.Yet, like any modern, urban living space, Golf Links has faced its fair share of challenges. Owing to its topography, it is the lowest-lying colony under NDMC, making it vulnerable to waterlogging. In 2020, heavy rains inundated several houses. Subsequent inspections revealed a surprising gap — maps of its stormwater drainage system were missing.In 2022, GLA renewed its appeal to NDMC for urgent intervention as the situation recurred. This was followed by deep desilting of stormwater drains after nearly a decade, along with the construction of storage tanks to manage excess rainwater. Since then, there have been no major instances of waterlogging, a testament to the power of collective action by residents and authorities.“Our area representatives, including MP Bansuri Swaraj and MLA Parvesh Verma, played a constructive role in getting the issue resolved through NDMC. The council also regularly tracks other things, especially relating to horticulture and sanitation,” said Mathur.Today, Golf Links stands not just as a picturesque neighbourhood, but as an example of how history, community effort and thoughtful preservation can come together to sustain urban beauty.
