Golf in India: Governing Bodies, Major Golf Courses

Golf in India has evolved from a colonial-era pastime into a structured competitive sport with dedicated bodies for amateur and professional players. The country also has a notable spread of historic and modern courses, many of them designed by renowned international architects.

Governance of Amateur Golf: Indian Golf Union (IGU)

• Establishment: The Indian Golf Union (IGU) was established on December 20, 1955, as the apex national governing body for amateur golf in India.
• Recognition: It is officially recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), the International Golf Federation (IGF), and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC).
• Leadership: Brijinder Singh heads the IGU Governing Council for his second consecutive term for 2024–2026, along with Honorary Secretary Shashank Sandu and Honorary Treasurer Sanjeev Rattan.
• Legal validation: A Delhi High Court order dated August 12, 2025, validated the legitimacy of the current IGU Governing Council.
• National Sports Federation role: Following this validation, the IGU is recognized by the MYAS and IGF as the sole National Sports Federation (NSF) authorized to select national teams and hold national coaching camps.

Professional Golf Administration: PGTI and WGAI

• PGTI: The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), established in September 2006, serves as the controlling and sanctioning body for men’s professional golf in India.
• Title partnership: In January 2026, global logistics provider DP World became the Title Partner and Official Umbrella Partner of the tour, which was renamed DP World PGTI.
• Leadership: Kapil Dev serves as President of the DP World PGTI, having taken office in June 2024, while Amandeep Johl is the Chief Executive Officer.
• Governing body member: Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant joined the DP World PGTI Governing Body as a member in September 2025.
• Tour integration: In August 2026, DP World and the PGTI launched the Race to DP World India Championship to align the Indian professional circuit with the global DP World Tour calendar.
• WGAI: The Women’s Golf Association of India (WGAI), established in 2005, manages professional women’s golf and administers the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour (HWPGT).
• WGAI leadership: Kavita Singh is the President and Champika N. Sayal is the Secretary General of the WGAI.
• Affiliation: The WGAI and PGTI operate under a formal Affiliation Agreement signed in February 2020 for mutual recognition and coordination in professional golf.

Prominent Golf Courses and Facilities in India

India’s golf courses range from historic urban clubs to scenic championship layouts in hill and coastal settings. Several have been designed by globally known architects and are important for prelims-level geography and heritage questions.

Key Prelims Takeaways

• Oldest club: Royal Calcutta Golf Club, founded in 1829, is the oldest golf club outside the United Kingdom.
• Amateur apex body: The Indian Golf Union (IGU), formed on December 20, 1955, is the main governing body for amateur golf in India.
• Selection authority: The IGU is recognized as the sole NSF authorized to select national teams and conduct official coaching camps.
• Men’s professional tour: The PGTI, established in 2006, was renamed DP World PGTI after the January 2026 partnership.
• Women’s professional golf: The WGAI oversees the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour and works under a formal affiliation with the PGTI.
• Heritage course: Delhi Golf Club is notable for its protected historical structures under the ASI.
• Signature architects: Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Robert Trent Jones Jr., Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Rees Jones are associated with major Indian golf courses.