Golf is today one of the fastest growing sports in the world, in popularity terms second only to football, with our Indian golfers winning on various world tours and prize money at events regularly increasing, corporate spends into golf in India being second to cricket, everyone wants to learn the sport and have their children play too. But, how do they learn, and where ? This is a question that a million Indians have, and each one feels isolated not knowing where and how to start.
So we all want to increase the number of golfers in India, we all want more children and ladies coming into the sport. In the larger cities, unlike in the smaller cities the biggest challenge at grass roots level is two fold - accessibility and retention. No, it is not affordibility, today a number of people can afford to play golf. It is having access to a golf course or a golf facility that presents the biggest challenge. The next challenge that exists, especially for children, “How do we make golf interesting and fun so that the children remain engaged and the golf doesn’t lose them to karate or football classes that at that point seem to be a lot more interactive for the children ?” The good news is that most of the governing bodies the world over understand this.
Dominic Wall, a consultant brought in by the Indian Golf Union a few years ago, provided recommendations and potential solutions to help develop the delivery of golf in India... – “The major program recommended is a National Junior Golf Program that is aimed at providing a modified version of golf for implementation in both schools and golf clubs. The main principles underlying this program should be fun, participation, safety and skill development. It is also important that the program is implemented in a manner that encourages schools and clubs to work together”.
While I say 'most' governing bodies understand, only a hand full have actually done something about it and have experienced success, be it moderate or better. Enter SNAG Golf... A global revolution that took the world by storm a few years ago, in some regions it is almost a cult today, videos all over you tube, places that have space consraints and safety concerns. This program fits everywhere.
It is my view that SNAG Golf is a new, simplified and fun way to learn the game. Not only does this method demystify the game but also makes it accessible to all. SNAG Golf is not just a priceless learning tool, it also includes several aspects of academics enhancing different learning skills.
SNAG is an acronym which stands for Starting New At Golf has been voted as the #1 first touch program in golf and is designed specifically for the entry-level player. The creator of SNAG is Terry Anton, a former US PGA player. The World Golf Foundation uses SNAG at all it golf schools, and just a month ago Terry Anton was honoured by The First Tee Foundation with an award that recognises contributions by special individuals. SNAG Golf has resulted in more than 4,000 elementary schools in the US introducing children to golf, likewise Scotland, Japan, Taiwan and the UAE. It is used by more than 3,000 PGA professionals worldwide and has programming implemented in more than 50 countries. In the Philippines too the recently set up Golf Foundation uses this as their teaching tool. What other program comes even close to achieving such stupendous numbers ?
To popularise the sport the European Tour continues to uses this program at all its tour events across the Middle East & India since 2009, be it the Dubai World Championships, Abu Dhabi Open, Dubai Desert Classic or the Avantha Masters in India... SNAG Golf has been there.
SNAG Golf contains all the elements of golf but in a modified form. It introduces a wide range of colourful oversized clubs and balls scientifically designed to make golf an easy to learn sport for beginners. The game has its own simplified rules and word cues that adds fun to the learning and playing experience. Falling somewhere between miniature golf and regulation golf, SNAG Golf allows for full shots, pitching, chipping, and putting. The ball has a limited distance, with the average player launching it a maximum of 50-60 yards.
There are only two clubs, the Launcher which is used to launch, pitch, and chip the ball and the Roller which like a putter is used to roll the ball toward the target. The beauty of the equipment is that the clubs and balls weigh exactly the same as traditional golf clubs.
Recently I was in a conversation with Annika Sorenstam and she happened to mention that she too uses this program at her academy in Florida, as does the Butch Harmon Academy in Dubai and Nicklaus Academies that will be opening three academies this year in India. In the Middle East too, the PGA of UAE, Emirates Golf Federation and Egyptian Golf Federation are all working towards increasing the numbers amongst the local golfers using modified golf equipment. The key ingrediant being the ‘FUN’ aspect that keep children engaged and entertained and thus retain them in the sport.Closer home, the IGU has been closely looking at a pilot using this program and if it hits a bulls-eye, its more power to golf in India. The programme has run successfully at golf clubs and schools in Mumbai (BPGC & Willingdon) and Ahmedabad (Gulmohar Greens) and now has even started in Coimbatore (Kovai Hills). Kovai Hills has taken it to another level altogether by encouraging youngsters and ladies using SNAG equipment to quickly make the transition to traditional golf at their academy par 3 course, the first of its kind in India. It is just a matter of time that over the next few months this program will be adopted by another dozen golf clubs and schools across India.
Former BPGC Captain A.S. Mann testifies “BPGC is indeed fortunate to introduce "SNAG" golf to its members. It is a not only extremely interesting for beginners of all ages but also very effective in terms of setting in the correct basics of the game. The young team promoting this program is not only a dedicated lot but also bring with them a professionalism which is very impressive”.
Adds Vivek Jain. Chairman of the Stewards, Royal Western India Turf Club that has used SNAG Golf at race days “We held a SNAG promotional event on a race day in the members lawns which was well received and patronized. We hope to have a bigger event at our next season as this was an experimental initiative. We were very satisfied with the arrangements and co-operation by the representatives of SNAG”.
This program allows for a smooth transition to traditional golf makes for a great family activity too, as successfully demonstrated in Ahmedabad where golf is still a relatively new sport and parents need as much education as the children. What a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than get out into the sun and compete as a family with the sandwiches, juices and winners trophies to follow later in the evening.
The initial consensus is that SNAG Golf is one of the most fun ways of getting interested in the game of golf. The fact that you get instant results and can see where your ball sticks to the target giving the players instant feedback is a hit. All in all an exciting program that is very close to the real thing.
The big question going forward is, how soon will the stake holders and powers that be in our country warm up to growing the sport with this or similar proven concepts...
