Shilpa Kannan Business reporter, BBC News, Delhi

Rakesh and Anju Mehra want a golf-shaped future

Walking hand in hand Rakesh and Anju Mehra are scouting for their dream home.

Being passionate golfers, they want to spend more time closer to the greens.

The premium golf villa they are hoping to buy has five lavish bedrooms, a private pool and a Jacuzzi with a view.

This is what the couple always wanted.

JP Greens in Greater Noida just outside Delhi is spread over 450 acres of greenery.

Located around an 18-hole Greg Norman signature course, houses here start at $1.2m (�600,000) and go up to $3m.

Indian real estate developers are eager to sell these luxury villas to cash in on the increasing interest in the sport.

Playing better

Mr Mehra says he loves the place.

An artisan making a golden golf ball is evidence that no expense is spared

"With security, excusive club and gymnasium, and a sprawling sports complex, my children will have access to the best things in life," he says.

"What better quality of life I can ever dream of giving them."

In addition, he hopes living here would mean spending more time improving his handicap.

The Mehras are not alone.

Indian people are increasingly taking to the greens, in spite of the expensive equipment and high cost of membership in clubs, which means that it is restricted only to the elite.

Designer golf courses, spread over acres of greenery with artificial lakes, waterfalls and white-sand bunkers, are emerging in all the major cities where an increasing number of young professionals can afford club memberships, costing $1,000 a year or more.

Golf has witnessed a 35-40% growth over the last four years and become a lifestyle rather than merely a sport for many.

Big spenders

In one of Delhi's jewellery houses an artisan is carefully knocking little dimples into a smooth ball made of pure gold and studded with diamonds.

We have world class facilities and luxurious golf resorts in India Leena Nandan, joint secretary, Ministry of Tourism

The golden ball is being prepared for the forthcoming Nicholas Piramal Ambassador Cup.

With more than $200,000 being spent on the event, this corporate tournament will feature diplomats from across Asia.

Companies are increasingly using sporting events to facilitate networking with corporate customers, many of whom are avid golfers.

The Ambassador cup is sponsored by pharmaceutical company Nicholas Piramal.

Harinder Sikka, director of the company, attributes the rapid emergence of golf in India to the economy's steady growth.

Once international players start making regular visits here, it will open the door and the country could become a major player in the international circuits, he predicts.

Golf tourism

Not to be left behind the Indian Ministry of tourism also is keen to promote the country as a golfing destination.

Its Incredible India campaign aims to move the country away from generic tourism towards niche areas such as medical tourism and golf tourism.

Leena Nandan, joint secretary, Ministry of Tourism, says though it is a relatively new sport, golfing here is a unique experience.

Many tourists from countries like Korea, Japan, Australia and the USA are coming here on package holidays that revolve around golf.

"We have world class facilities and luxurious golf resorts in India, but what is special here is that little bit extra which people don't anticipate; you could be putting in the Delhi golf course and peacock could cross your path. It's unique! No country can match that," she says.

But golf is attracting more than just tourists.

Several events are planned in the days to come.

Celebrity Fijian player Vijay Singh, Ernie Els and Colin Montgomerie are expected at the upcoming tournaments.

With more and more of the country's elite taking up the sport, India is ready to tee off.