Putt to the test!

It’s 2 p. m. and blazing hot on the Delhi Golf Course (DGC), but three sprightly elderly women wearing sun hats and comfortable sports attire are happily swinging their clubs and playing 18 holes. It may take over six hours to complete the circuit, but there is no stopping them. Golf is no longer the hobby of choice for upwardly mobile businessmen alone – grandmothers Meena Khanna (74), Rama Khanna and Kum Kum Kapur (soon to be 70), love to groove on the golf course too!

At a time when most of their contemporaries might be complaining of aches and failing memories, or being confined to their homes, these women lead a full and active life. In fact, to give more time for golf, they have learnt to be more organised in juggling household chores and family commitments. All of them have played on golf courses across the country, and are in many ways ‘grandmas of the golf course’ – mentoring youngsters, teaching the caddies English and adding a touch of spunk to women’s golf.

Clubs and camaraderie

Meena has a golf handicap of 23, Rama of 24, and Kum Kum of 36. All three women are multi-faceted, and interestingly, are all former teachers – while Rama and Kum Kum ran nursery and play schools, Meena taught gourmet cuisine.

Meena started playing golf when she was 55. She was an athletic person, and took to the game easily. She had, in her youth, led the Delhi Women’s Cricket team to the nationals. Having an army husband who loved golf, and a son who played cricket, helped sustain her interest in sports. Even those who are not very sporting can play an average game of golf, she says.

Meena’s contribution to the social side of the game is notable. As Captain of the Ladies Section of the Delhi Golf Club, she taught English to the caddies – many of whom have since turned professional. Women golfers are compassionate, and while grooming junior golfers, add a touch of love to the game. Now, more girls, inspired by their fathers or brothers, are taking to golf – and the grandmas are there to steer them. Seven- and eight-year-old girls are playing golf. In fact, even a three-year-old was seen learning to putt!

Rama may not be good at teaching foot work or hitting the ball, but she teaches English and etiquette to the caddies, and the half-a-dozen girls who are children of the Club staff. Rama has also donated golf sets, and encourages the young girls to play the game. After working out on the golf course, the girls are taught English. More proof of her caring nature – Meena added foot massages after a gruelling round during an international tournament when she was the captain of the women’s section of the DGC.

Kum Kum Kapur says her husband was an avid golfer, and she felt compelled to join him: “He was always talking about birdies and pars, so initially I got into the game to be a good companion.” As an army officer’s wife, she was able to play at Leh, on the highest golf course in the country – a real treat. Given her history of participating in athletics in school, and playing tennis for Delhi University, she was more than fit to take on a new game. For 21 years, Kum Kum ran a play school in Greater Kailash. Now in her twilight years, she has moved to Defence Colony to be closer to the golf course, so that she can play at least thrice a week. “Golf has given me new life,” she says. “People say you stop making friends when you are 60, but I have made many new friends, thanks to golf. When the Classic Golf Course started in Gurgaon a few years ago, weekend tournaments were organised, and in the evenings, there was dancing and fun.”.

Pamela Bhagat, current captain of the Army Golf Course in Delhi (who doesn’t fit into the category of ‘grandma golfers’), says there are 150 regular women golfers in Delhi, who are regulars at the Army Golf Course, the DGC, the Qutb Golf Course, the DLF Golf Course, and the Noida Golf Course. She says that since golfers of all age groups – from 10 to 80 – play together, it can be very rejuvenating. A former journalist herself, Pamela teaches bridge to journalists at the Indian Women’s Press Corps every Saturday – this, apart from her routines of golfing and horse riding.

‘Tee’ for therapy

All four women agree that golf is a form of therapy, particularly for older people. You breathe clean air, remain mentally alert, and meet a lot of people on the course – a complete package. Though Kum Kum has hypothyroidism, golf helps her to stay fit. Meena suffers from niggling backaches if she plays 70 or 72 strokes at a stretch, and has to take the occasional pain-killer. There are women who are close to 80 still playing golf, but are more comfortable playing nine holes.

For Rama, the golf course is her first home. She has played the game for 45 years, in Delhi before marriage, and after marriage. When she moved to Ghaziabad after her husband retired, she ran a school for many years, but even so, found a couple of days in the week for golf. “I have played in most of the golf courses in the country, including Chennai, Bangalore and Munnar,” she says.

Talent and love for golf run in Rama’s family – her sister was married to the late well-known golfer Billoo Sethi, and her grandson is a good golfer.

Compared to women who are beauty-conscious, and use sunscreen to avoid a tan, these women revel in the sun’s energy. “Though our skin is dark, it is well toned and has good texture,” says Rama. “We don’t need to detox or use whitening creams.” In fact, these women are seen so much in their golfing clothes, when they dress up in the evenings in chiffons or churidhar-kurtas , they are often not recognised!

Swingin’ it their way

So, what is the difference between women’s and men’s approach to golf? Women play a more focused and faster game than the men, says Rama. Men often dawdle over their shots, and play to win or network with other professionals. “But women of our age play for the love of the game, for fitness, and to meet friends and fellow golfers. Of course, we like to win too, but are not obsessed about it.”

A golden rule that most male golfers seem to follow is to never beat the boss. While this rule may not apply to women, Rama recalls an instance when she almost beat the wife of her husband’s boss. For some time, her husband was a worried man! Meena recalls a putting competition for Army wives that she won, but at the request of her husband, had to forgo the first prize in favour of the general’s wife!

With time, the trend of older women picking up golf clubs seems to be on the rise. In fact, a newbie golfer grandmother started playing at 70, just so that she would not be left out of the family’s golfing holidays! The women are also playing a big role in popularising the game. Last year, India hosted the Queen Sirikit Club golf tournament – an event started by the Thai royalty, in which 20 countries participated. From the announcements to organisation of the tournament, all aspects were taken care of by these women golfers – an admirable achievement!

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