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The emergence of talent powerhouses like Shubhankar Sharma and Aditi Ashok, who reached the upper echelons of world Golf, has given a fresh impetus to Golf in India. With a growing tribe of young Golfing talent cementing their position as a dominant force on the global realm, the future of Indian Golf seems upbeat. Or so we thought.
Even as Indian Golfers are playing a consequential role in broadening the appeal of the game across the country, the Indian Golf growth story is far from a happy one today. Golf in India finds itself in the rough at the grassroots level as accessibility to the game remains the biggest roadblock for most existing and aspiring Golfers.
Despite a robust economy, a colossal population of 1.35 million, a burgeoning middle class with high disposable income and a rich legacy of Golf, the game remains elitist and walled-off to many.
The stark reality: India has about 230 golf courses, out of which none including DDA Lado Sarai is purely 'pay and play' and are at best hybrid public courses. Over 160 golf courses are on the public land and out of these - 100 are Defence-owned – exclusively reserved for Government officials. Some are owned by state Governments, BSF, Police, Railways etc and operate under specific membership criteria. Almost all the other courses are private ones operated by golf clubs, which are far from welcoming; have membership barriers thus restricting access to a multitude of rules and regulations.
It’s not that the ‘exclusive’ Golf clubs allow access to those who are willing to cough up a huge amount of cash. Even the very rich can face a 10-year waiting period for membership as ‘moolah’ alone won’t gain you entry into these clubs. It’s about knowing the right people, your disposition, and personality and of course, the impression you bestow upon the hierarchy.
Many tax-paying aspiring golfers in India do not even know these golf courses are actually accessible to them by law. And to evade the law, these golf courses increase their walk-in green fees without prior notifications, restricting their access to the non-members furthermore.
All these golf ingredients make the game inaccessible, tough to join, giving the game that air of exclusivity.
The overarching question: Isn’t the Indian Golf terrain a classic example of a sector that has tremendous potential in galloping forward, but one that has been affected by ‘the CLUB Membership' concept which limits the spirit and the growth of the game?
Long referred to as an elitist game, Golf carries with it many upper-class and exclusive connotations and access to the golf courses is like the forbidden fruit. Echoing similar sentiments, Former IGU Director General Wg Cdr Arun Kumar Singh (Retd), shares, “The Maharaja culture still exists in the Golf clubs. When you become a member, you are buying a membership to become a snoot. You want to create a firewall around you and want Golf to remain a ‘mysterious’ game for others. You don’t want anyone else to come. Membership is, unfortunately, not limited to playing Golf. It is usually an opportunity for socializing and why Golf is considered elitist in this country is because of this culture. This gives an intimidation to people. People think that it is meant only for the rich and the elite and this is detrimental to the growth of the game.”
He adds, “Membership in almost all golf clubs is for people in the latter half of their lives. Junior programs or membership if available is generally for children of members which makes it even more restricted in reach.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Akshay A Kilachand, Golf Captain at Willingdon Sports Club, says, “Access to the sport is very, very limited. It’s high time that the private Golf clubs have options that allow non-members to access the Golf courses. Anyone and everyone with a passion to play the sport can actually do the same. Also, this takes a toll on the caddies. Even they can earn a little more if there are more footfalls on the golf courses at non-peak times.”
How does one expect a steady stream of talent flow, when the environment is too walled off? Wg Cdr Arun Kumar Singh (Retd) comes up with an interesting point. “Interestingly, there is no requirement for applicants to play Golf for membership. The test or handicap is required only when your turn for membership comes after a waiting period of 15 - 20 years. Moreover, what does a test tell you…that you can swing a club and connect the ball? It doesn’t say that you are a very keen Golfer or you play Golf for sporting reasons. So a majority of memberships are for non-golfers. And it suits everyone.”
He adds, “Picture this: In one of the well-known golf courses, you have 5000 members. So out of them, even if 2000 start playing Golf regularly, there won’t be any place, isn’t it? So only 500 will play golf and the rest can have the subsidized Food and Beverages facilities. Naturally, there’s no place for non-members who are passionate about playing the sport.”
Golf clubs and golf courses can't become an exclusive preserve only of a specific social or economic elite with pricing designed to keep the real Golf talent out.
The persisting question: How can 1.35 million Indians be motivated to play the Game of Golf and how can they get access to the Golf courses and not the clubs?
While there are major roadblocks ahead, 4moles.com is optimistic about the growth of Golf in India and vehemently strives to make the game accessible to anyone and everyone who harbours a passion for Golf. Here’s a closer look at the potential solutions that aim to nurture and grow the game from strength to strength:
The suggested initiatives that are aimed at developing Golf right from the bottom of the chain will fast-track that rise in popularity of Golf and help churn out more Shubhankar Sharmas and Anirban Lahiris. This, in turn, will promote sustainable participation and excellence in the game and put Golf in India on an accelerated growth path.
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