By Rahul Banerji
I have a question for those running golf – at all levels and capacities — in India. Rather, it is a question they ought to be addressing by themselves. And it is this.
Despite its long and hoary tradition, why does the game continue to be played behind high walls?
Take an individual who wants to take up golf. Not in the traditional way through a club, or as a child, or as part of an institution like the armed forces, but at a later age. For them, it needs sheer bloody-mindedness just to get going, and immense stamina thereafter to sustain the interest.
Why this should be so is not clear. I mean, it seems in the best interest of the various stakeholders in the sport to broad-base it, make it easy, or at least easier than it is now, for a rookie.
Overcome the fairly steep costs involved initially of equipment and coaching and the next hurdle that one faces is where to play.
Many clubs have walk in facilities but the number of such institutions is pretty small. The national capital region is fortunate to have in excess of 25 courses big and small, but this too is a rarity.
One fact by itself is telling. In all of India, there is just one – that’s right – ONE public golf course.
Whether this has a bearing or not on India’s drawing a blank at the Asian Games in Jakarta is a matter of debate, but it is clear hard-headed steps are needed to widen the reach and appeal of the game.
Making a start
In all fairness, these issues seem to have sunk in somewhere and last year, we saw the launch of the India Learn Golf Week which has the stated aim of “nurturing the next hundred thousand Indian golfers”.
Twenty-seven clubs and golf facilities across the country participated, and the number for this year has risen to 44 and ILGW 2 will run from September 24 to 30. For a nominal fee, beginners will be given a feel of the game by qualified coaches in a bid to get them started off.
This initiative is backed jointly by the Indian Golf Union, the Women’s Golf Association of India, the National Golf Association of India, Golf Course Superintendents and Managers Association of India as well as the Professional Golf Association of America. This is heavyweight stuff, no doubt.
The thing is, all right, some hundreds of starry-eyed newbies will decide to take up golf after an initial tasty bite. But where will they go? Where and how do they continue to chase the new-found passion?
Last year, there was a flurry of media activity too with pre-launch, launch and post-event statements. What happened thereafter was not very clear. Maybe there will be more to chew over this time.
Read also: An Eye-opening Visit
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Yes, I agree with you. Assam as I know with a number of golf courses has only one driving range at Kajiranga golf course. First we need to have a driving range with couches where golf can be taught at an early age. This game needs practice , practice and practice. We all know that this is a mental game rather than physical. One need to excel in pitching, chipping and putting, rather than driving 300+yrds.
We need to bring these facilities to our door steps, so that our children can learn and practice. I G U can take a lead.
There is no shortage of talents in this country. If India wants to put up a good show, people at the helm of affairs must take it seriously and devise means as you said “atleast easier than it is now” for a rookie.