The Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL), in partnership with the Indian Golf Union (IGU), the Professional Golfers’ Association of India (PGAI) and The Golf Foundation (TGF), has unveiled a transformative grassroots programme aimed at reshaping the future of Indian golf.
Launched at the Delhi Golf Club on January 22 in the presence of tennis legend Leander Paes, the ‘Golf Growth Initiative’ signals a decisive shift from elite-only development to a broad-based, nationwide talent pipeline.
At its core, the initiative is designed to take golf out of exclusive clubs and bring it directly to schools, playgrounds and community spaces across India. The goal is ambitious but clear: ensure that talented young golfers, regardless of geography or economic background, are identified early and supported through a world-class development system that prepares them to compete on the global stage.
A unified ecosystem for Indian golf
What makes the Golf Growth Initiative stand out is the unprecedented collaboration it brings together. IGPL, IGU, PGAI and TGF are aligning their resources, expertise and reach to create a single, structured pathway from grassroots discovery to elite performance. This integrated approach ensures that young golfers are not lost between junior tournaments, academies and professional circuits a challenge that has historically slowed the growth of the sport in India.
A central pillar of the programme is mentorship by India’s most respected golfing icons. Jeev Milkha Singh, Jyoti Randhawa, Shiv Kapur, Gaganjeet Bhullar, SSP Chawrasia and Gaurav Ghei will all play active roles in guiding and training young players. Their involvement ensures that the next generation does not merely learn technique, but also absorbs the professional mindset required to succeed at the highest level.
Regional hubs to anchor development
To support this nationwide vision, IGPL announced the immediate establishment of world-class training centres in Odisha, Gurgaon and Andhra Pradesh. These hubs will serve as regional centres of excellence, providing professional-grade facilities, qualified coaching and scientific training methods. More importantly, they will act as scouting and development hubs, ensuring that talented juniors from surrounding regions have access to elite infrastructure without needing to relocate to traditional golf centres.
These facilities will be rolled out in phases, with the first three locations leading the charge in 2026. Over time, the network is expected to expand, creating a sustainable ecosystem that links grassroots discovery to high-performance training.
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One of the most revolutionary aspects of the Golf Growth Initiative is its commitment to take the sport into schools and playgrounds. Through interactive golf sessions conducted in partnership with educational institutions, IGPL, IGU and PGAI aim to introduce thousands of children to the game for the first time.
By lowering the entry barriers equipment, access, and exposure the programme seeks to break golf’s long-standing image as an elite sport. Instead, it positions golf as a viable, aspirational pathway for students from government schools, tier-2 and tier-3 cities, and rural areas.
Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO of IGPL, explained the philosophy behind this approach. “Indian golf is getting bigger and better, and the time has come to build a generation that can dominate the world stage. To do this, we are taking the game directly to schools and playgrounds, ensuring that no talent is left behind. We are creating avenues where youngsters don’t just train, they learn and play alongside experienced legends to become winners.”
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Unlike traditional academies that focus purely on technique, the IGPL model revolves around a 360-degree mentorship framework. Young golfers will have regular exposure to India’s leading professionals, learning not only how to hit better shots but how to handle competition, pressure, fitness, and career planning.
Jeev Milkha Singh, one of India’s most celebrated golfers, highlighted the importance of this structure. “For Indian golf to grow, we need to give back to the next generation. This initiative provides young players with structured guidance and mentorship that can shave years off their learning curve. When experienced pros and raw talent train on the same platform, belief becomes as powerful as skill.”
The presence of Leander Paes adds a unique cross-sport dimension to the programme. As a multiple-time Olympic medallist and Grand Slam champion, Paes brings expertise in building high-performance systems and elite sporting culture. “Indian athletes have the potential to rule the world stage,” Paes said. “Partnering with IGPL is about bringing an Olympic mindset to golf. We are building a system where talent is identified early and nurtured with the best infrastructure. This initiative is about giving our youth the belief and the tools to win at the highest level.”
Federation backing and long-term vision
The IGU has thrown its full weight behind the initiative. Major Bibhuti Bhushan, Director General of the IGU, underlined the importance of outreach. “Unless golf goes to schools, government schools, tier-2 and tier-3 cities, and villages, we will not find big talent. Seeing icons mentor young players is exactly the structured support Indian golf needs to grow.”
Amit Luthra, Founder of The Golf Foundation, echoed this sentiment. “Partnering with IGPL allows us to take golf to schools and playgrounds on a massive scale. We are removing barriers so the next global champion can emerge from anywhere, equipped with world-class mentorship from day one.”
With its blend of infrastructure, mentorship, school outreach and institutional backing, the IGPL Golf Growth Initiative represents the most comprehensive grassroots push Indian golf has ever seen. If executed as envisioned, it could redefine not just how golfers are trained, but where India’s future champions come from.
