What golf says about an economy

Chikkarangappa comes from an agriculturist's family, one that struggled for several years to put together three meals a day. In Chikka's own words, there was no money at their disposal. A decade down the story is a bit different. The young man in his 20s has won three golf tournaments, has several brands supporting him and is fluent at global platforms. Another golfer making international impressions is SSP Chowrasia whose father worked as the greenskeeper at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club in Kolkata. It was at this golf course that Chowrasia picked up golf at the age of 10. The self-taught golfer is nicknamed "Chip-putt-sia" because of his short game and has two European Tour wins under his belt.

It's fascinating to observe that despite such grassroot stories, golf has been condemned in India. Incidentally the scenario isn't very different in China. Author Dan Washburn has written a new book called 'The Forbidden Game: Golf and the Chinese Dream" in which he sites the story of a young man – training to be a security guard –who wanted to become a golfer. Just like in India, he faced serious obstacles because he had no money. And the golf club only allowed manager-level people to use the course.

Washburn's book presents the conflict that sport was faced with over the last few decades. Of land grab, of corruption and so much so golf was at one point called 'green opium' and banned in the 1950s. Today China has its own PGA event, several world class championship courses personalized by stars like Ernie Els and Annika Sorenstam. India too gets criticism for the sport for more reasons than the fact the nation hardly looks beyond cricket. We have challenges of land acquisition to build courses. But now there is a general movement to explore how an Indian problem can also have an Indian solution. For example, courses here are using sewage treatment plants, they are adding jobs because it take a large force to maintain a courses even outside of the 80-100 caddies that are needed. Additionally infrastructure for the sport is a must to build quality sportspersons in it. The answer to the larger issues of sustaining the sport cannot be to ban it. India cannot do a China.

The book suggests the first wave of Chinese golf pros were farmers or grass cutters turned golfers, India's story is similar. These people are indeed the antidote to golf being called a rich man's game in emerging countries. Perhaps what's needed is a clear distinction in argument and effort to make the sport more widely and universally accessible, riding on the success stories of these people. The sport can be made more masses-friendly and the discourse must shift the focus from constantly labeling it elitist.

In India, like China some day golf would be looked as a barometer of change. And hopefully our own brand of economy theories and planning will come up with something that truly works for the Indian economy – a balance of resources and a fillip to the game.