Passion Pays. Golf has something for everyone

Golf is not just a sport; it’s an industry in itself. As a sport and as a business, golf operates on a huge scale. Although there are no official figures, an estimated 80 million golfers worldwide play on close to 40,000 courses across the globe. Golf events generate close to $2 billion a year, and the golf tourism market exceeds $1 billion annually.

Golf has something for everyone. If you don't have the skill to be a professional player, there are lots of other career opportunities in the sport. Here are few important options to choose from: If you are an accomplished amateur golfer, you can apply at the professional golf tour of India to play a qualifying tournament. Remuneration depends on the level of your game. If you are among the top 10, then sky is the limit.

Qualified coaches are needed at every level of the sport. You can train yourself at the National Golf Academy of India. A new coach can charge on an hourly basis and later can be employed by a golf course on a monthly salary plus coaching incentives. Then you can work your way up to a director of golf as you gain experience in the field.

Managers are required to run a golf facility that includes coordination among members, facility management, etc. An MBA with basic golf knowledge can apply for this position. However, there are a lot of golf management courses available in the US, the UK, Australia, Canada etc. But there is a good news as well. The International School of Corporate Management (ISCOM) has partnered with the prestigious Elmwood College, Scotland, to introduce the first-ever post-graduate programme in golf management in India. There is a good scope for a manager to become the general manager of a golf club with years of club management experience.

They are the ones maintaining the lush green areas on a golf course and every course looks out for a qualified turf professional to maintain it. A strong background in turf management or in agricultural sciences would be beneficial. You may have to apply in universities outside for a specialised golf turf management course..

Specialists are needed to create new courses and improve old ones. Unfortunately there is a no golf course architectural degree available in India at the moment; however, there are educational programmes being offered in the US, Canada and the UK. Golf course architecture is more of an art than science; however, a civil engineering degree or a background of landscape architecture can be helpful .

The writer is a golf course architect and founder of AV Golf International

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