Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Selection of Indian Golf Team
2026 - 27
Introduction:
1.The Indian Golf Union is the Governing body for Golf in India and is responsible for Selection of Amateur Golf Teams to represent India and the IGU in International events. Selection of players is a very important aspect of the game, which dictates the image and prestige of the country in the international arena in the particular field. Accordingly, the Selection Committee has been formed being headed by the President himself. The selection committee consists of the following:
| S. No. | Name | Designation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Mr. Brijinder Singh | Chairperson |
| 2. | Mr. Shashank Sandu | Member |
| 3. | Mr. Nagesh Singh | Member |
| 4. | Mr. Sameer Sinha | Member |
| 5. | Mr. Manav Das | Member |
| 6. | Ms. Vandana Agarwal | Member |
Purpose:
2.The purpose is to make a very comprehensive document, which would decide the selection criteria
while selecting a National team to represent our country. The IGU has categorized International events in three categories: –
a.Olympics / Asian Games / Commonwealth Games / Youth Olympic Games / Asian Youth Games b.Elite Amateur Events
c.Events planned for other International exposure and competitions
For selection of players mentioned in para 2(b) and para 2(c), would be decided from the National squad only, which has been dealt in detail in subsequent paragraphs.
*For Asian Youth Games and Youth Olympic Games, the team shall be selected as per the Age and Eligibility conditions laid down by the Event Organisers and world rankings.
For Olympic Games – The players are selected as per the Olympic Golf Rankings prepared by the International Golf Federation (IGF). More information on the Olympic Golf Rankings can be found on www.igfgolf.org
For the Asian Games – Given that Asian Games is predominantly a professional event, it is imperative that top performing Indian professionals participate as securing medals for the country is priority. The team for Asian Games consists of 4 men and 3 women. The selection will be made by World Golf Rankings for top three ranked players in men category and top 2 ranked players in women category, which objectively reflects theirsustained performance. Discretionary wildcard entry for both men and women will be considered only inexceptional cases. However, if considered for only one in men and one in women category must be supported by 2/3rd majority of the Selection Committee.
For elite events mentioned in Para 2(b) above, selection shall be done from National Squad. IGU Order of Merit would serve as the primary basis of selection, as it reflects player’s consistent performance. National Squad is a selected pool and it is formed based on the Order of Merit which undergoes a proper structural training. Therefore, selection for elite events mentioned in Para 2(b) will be made primarily from top merit of National Squad. There can be a wildcard consideration for exceptional players who do not participate regularly in
domestic tournaments but perform well in international events. They would be considered based on their World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR). This provision will ensure that India’s most promising talent is not
overlooked due to structural constraints in domestic participation.
For other International Exposure and Competitions mentioned in Para 2(c) the IGU Order of Merit would serve as the primary basis of selection. National Squad serves as a national selection pool. Given the minimal performance gap amongst National Squad players, selection may be made from anywhere within the National Squad based on current form, latest performances and collective agreement by the Selection Committee.
Wildcard selection should be considered in exceptional cases and must be supported by 2/3rd majority of the Selection Committee, to ensure fairness and transparency.
National Squad Camp:
A conditioning camp may be organized one week prior to the departure of the team wherein it shall be elite for
all selected players to attend the camp. The camp shall be headed by the National Coach / Assistant Coach and shall also have the presence of support staff.
The team shall arrive at the venue one day before the practice round and shall depart the venue the day after the completion of the event. All selected players shall necessarily adhere to the travel dates as decided and approved by the IGU.
Team manager and coach:
The President / Chairman of the Selection Committee shall select the Team Manager and coach to accompany
the team for the event. The team manager shall coordinate with all the team members and with event organizers of the particular country with regards to their logistics and administrative arrangements. He will also be responsible for organizing visas, air tickets, hotel bookings etc. All team members shall strictly adhere to the instructions at all times as conveyed by the Team Manager. Any player failing to adhere to the instructions shall face strict penalties as decided by the Selection and Disciplinary Committee of the IGU.
Kitting of the team:
The following golf kits are likely be given to all members of the Team:
- T Shirts
- Trousers
- Golf balls (Titleist Prov1/1x)
- Shoes (Once a year only)
- Caps
The T shirt, trousers and caps shall be given to the players accompanying the team if they have not received the same. In the preceding six months, however they will be given new supply of balls.
The Selection criteria shall be reviewed periodically and any changes so made shall be published on the IGU website.
Notwithstanding all of the above, the final decision on the selection of team will always rest with the selection committee.
National Squad:
The Indian Golf Union has established National Squad (NS) Program with a view to imparting specialized training to the top-ranking players on the OOM of the IGU. Training and conditioning of NS and selection of teams / players for international competitions from the NS will therefore become an essential and focal part of the National Squad Program.
The NS has been constituted to help the top players of the country in categories of Junior Boys, Ladies & Junior Girls and Gentlemen to benefit by having structured help from professionals in the field of Golf Fitness, Golf Skills, Physio & Golf Psychology. Formation of NS, its coaching & training will be an on-going program.
The suggested Squad strength shall be as below:
Gentlemen – 10 from the Gentlemen’s OOM
Junior Boys – 10 from the Junior A (Combined) OOM (including minimum of four Cat B Boys) Ladies & Junior Girls – 10 from the Ladies OOM (including minimum four Junior Girls).
Players will be inducted in the NS once every 6 months based on the ranking in the Order of Merit of Gentlemen, Junior Boys (Cat A-B Combined OOM), Ladies & Junior Girls (Ladies OOM). A detailed guideline for National Squad shall be published separately for information of all stakeholders.
Responsibilities of Selection Committee Members:
President has the overall responsibility of the committee being the chairperson and shall have the final decision on matters pertaining to selection of teams and team managers and issue broad directions. In spite of most meticulously and methodically planned selection procedures, there might be likelihood of complaints in the selection process, as Chairperson Disciplinary Committee is also the part of the Selection Committee, he would discharge duties with regards to dealing with complaints and disciplinary matters.
Selection Committee members would also be responsible for overseeing the NS camps along with Chairperson National Squad and planning of travel and other logistical details. Along with Chairman National Squad, the Selection Committee will ensure the proper physical and mental training is imparted to players before they leave for international events. The Selection Committee will also ensure that proper kits have been issued to them and any shortfall is compensated.
Conclusion:
The SOP has been made keeping in mind that the best players represent our country in the international events and bring fame and glory. The SOP may get modified from time to time based on genuine valuable inputs
