As the dust settles on the Paris Olympics, attention has begun to shift to the Indian sporting infrastructure and the role it has played in the performance of Indian athletes at the Games. While India underwhelmed in golf in Paris, Aditi Ashok’s near-medal performance at the Tokyo Olympics had already turned the spotlight on the institutions that nurture the country’s golfing talent, particularly the National Golf Academy of India (NGAI) in Chandigarh.
One of the most essential functions of the NGAI is its certification programme for coaching professionals. The academy has recently undergone a change in personnel, with two of the country’s leading coaches, Indrajit Bhalotia and Anitya Chand, joining the fray under the leadership of chairperson Manav Das. My Kolkata caught up with Bhalotia, the newly appointed head of training at the NGAI, to dive deeper into Indian golf and what to expect from his new role.
Edited excerpts from the conversation at Tollygunge Club, where Bhalotia remains the director of Protouch Golf Academy, follow.
My Kolkata: What exactly does the NGAI do?
Indrajit Bhalotia: The NGAI is India’s first accredited programme for teaching golf professionals. It was formed in 2004 with the sole objective of structuring the entire teaching industry of India and certifying all the coaches. The NGAI is a vertical of the Indian Golf Union (IGU) and is an associate member of an international body called the Confederation of Professional Golf (CPG). The system in place is organised in keeping with international standards.
How has the NGAI evolved over time?
Under Manav Das, a national-level golfer based out of Ambala, the NGAI has taken significant strides. We’ve increased the number of certified coaches to over 500, and our membership at the Europe-based CPG brings us closer to international recognition for our coaches. A full-time CPG membership is on the cards within the next couple of years. This means that every NGAI certified coach will gain recognition and be able to teach the game in 27 countries worldwide. Additionally, the NGAI is expanding its reach within Asia by collaborating with countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
‘We teach coaches how to be overall mentors, which includes aspects of sports psychology, fitness, nutrition and sports science’
Bhalotia explained the nuanced structure of certification and accreditation, based on international standards, that the NGAI follows
What steps is the NGAI taking to enhance the quality of golf coaching in India?
At the academy, we aim to approach golf training in a more holistic way than before. Typically, aspiring coaches are only trained on how to teach the physical aspects of the game. However, at the NGAI, we teach coaches how to be overall mentors, which includes aspects of sports psychology, fitness, nutrition and sports science, including the ever-growing field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Another goal is to gain recognition and spread awareness about the academy within golf clubs across the country.
How much of an impact has AI had on golfing so far?
AI is still very new in golf but is slowly making its presence felt. At the NGAI, we train our coaches in technology models and sports science that involve AI. Currently, there are only about four or five academies in the country that use AI in their regular coaching programmes. It has not yet taken off in the way we would’ve expected, but our job as an association is to teach our coaches how to use radar technology, launch monitors and even video technology, all of which are very important parts of our education plan.
Could you give us an overview of the certification process for golf coaches?
The certification for a professional golf coach is a process of continuous and structured learning. To qualify, your playing skills must be of a certain standard — in this case, you must be able to score not more than 14-over across two rounds of golf. Candidates then undertake a six-day course, after which they sit for a written exam. A few days of monitoring alongside a senior member of the teaching staff follows and, if declared satisfactory, you are awarded a D category certification. This goes up until the A category — the highest categorisation for golf coaches. Currently, there are only about 40 A category coaches in the country, and only coaches from this category can apply to be assistant teaching staff at the NGAI. The system is structured and rigorous, and rewards perseverance.
How the Protouch Academy can help the NGAI
Bhalotia believes that teaching golf is now a viable career option for those wishing to stay in the game without competing on tour
What does your introduction as the head of training at the NGAI mean for the Protouch Academy at Tollygunge Club?
I think both the roles gel well together. What I will be doing for the NGAI isn’t completely outside of what I’m already doing at Protouch. If anything, it will help Protouch and all academies across the country because the quality of certified coaches from the NGAI will improve. However, Protouch has a lot to offer to the NGAI as well. Protouch has been involved in sports education for over 10 years now. We offer certifications in sports management, and a lot of our content and structure are readily available for use at the NGAI.
‘Being a professional golf coach is a lot more lucrative than coaching in other sports’
Lastly, what are the career prospects for golf coaches in India?
The demand for qualified golf coaches is growing rapidly. The opportunities for making a good living as a professional golf coach are a lot more lucrative than those for coaches of other sports. A NGAI-certified golf coach could start their career with a salary of Rs 25,000 (per month). With the structure that is in place, there’s no limit to where they can go. The profile of golf coaches, too, has changed over the past 20 years. Today, we have younger people from more well-to-do backgrounds taking up the teaching profession. Earlier, coaches were mostly caddies and ex-professionals, but now there is an influx of club members moving into this lucrative profession as well.
