NATIONAL GOLF ACADEMY OF INDIA (NGAI)

Introduction

The NGAI is a part of the Indian Golf Union (IGU) as per Rule 53 of the MOA and Rules & Regulations – 2018 of the IGU. The administration of the NGAI will be done by the NGAI Committee through its members, who will in turn be responsible to the President, IGU for its functioning. The committee will function and conduct its activities with the support of the IGU Secretariat. The NGAI is the official body for certification of Golf Teaching Professionals in India.

Background & History

The NGAI was set up in 2004 (firstly as Indian National Golf Academy INGA) with the help of the R&A (Royal & Ancient of St Andrews) which is the governing body of golf. The R&A sent Dr Donato Di Ponziano to India to set up a system that would look after the training and certification of the coaches which was the start of teaching system in India and subsequently the NGAI. From 2004, the NGAI held its Certification Course at various venues across the country. In 2008, the NGAI was given a home at The CGA Golf Range, Chandigarh where it is based till date. The contract with Chandigarh Golf Association was signed and renewed yearly till 30 Sep 2018. However, it needs to be renewed and action is at hand – draft contract is at Appendix ‘A’. All the NGAI courses were conducted in Chandigarh along with some of the IGU national squad camps. The CGA also hosts a library of DVDs which have learning material and presentations from some of the world’s top coaches. In 2014, the NGAI adopted the Continuing Education Policy and the Teaching License System wherein the standard of education of all NGAI certified teaching professionals would be monitored. The refresher courses were introduced and the validity system of renewal of licenses began. In 2015, the First Annual Teaching Summit of the NGAI was held with various presenters invited from across the world along with honouring Dr Donato Di Ponziano, as the first Master Professional of the NGAI. Today, the NGAI is the only recognised teaching system in Asia and we certify the coaches of Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, Coaches from Pakistan had earlier been a part of our system as well.

Objectives

The following are the objectives of the NGAI:
  • To improve the standard of Indian golf by improving the knowledge and quality of Golf Teachers in India.
  • To be the education hub in Asia where golf teachers from various countries come to get certified and enhance their skills.
  • To grade and certify Teaching Professionals at various levels.
  • To run a National Program of continuous education for Teaching Professionals.
  • To be the training centre for the Indian National Squads and the Elite Player Development Programme in conjunction with the IGU.
  • To train NGAI teaching professionals on the Rules of Golf.
  • To be the centre for education in Golf and its related subjects like Physical and Mental Training, Course Management & Setup, Green Keeping, Sports Medicine etc. Mental Training, Club Fitting, etc.
  • To be a resource centre for training aids and equipment, reference library, etc.
  • To establish academies in all geographical zones of the country.

Eligibility for Certification

  • The person must be at least 18 years of age and must submit proof of age along with the entry form. The applicant shall be of sound mind and should not have been convicted by a court of law of any criminal offence or that of moral turpitude.
  • The NGAI shall withdraw accreditation / classification of an individual if it is found that he/she was not eligible or has knowingly given false information.
  • In case a professional wants to sit for re-test, he/she needs to write to ngai@indiangolfunion.org requesting the same. In case the NGAI committee finds the appeal genuine, a re-test shall be done at a fee of INR 20,000/-. In the re-test, at least one of the Teaching Staff who conducted the initial course & test, shall be on the panel.

Certification Courses Conducted

Playing Ability Test – PAT

  • In case a candidate would like to appear in a PAT by playing in an IGU tournament, he/she will play off the same tees as all other players in the event. NGAI shall organize 2 PAT’s in a year – One in the North Zone and one in the South Zone.

  • PAT Passing score for two days is 14 over for under 50 years of age and 20 over for Seniors above 50.
  • PAT to be given within 12 months from the time of clearing Category ‘D’ Course.

Category D Course

  • Eligibility – A professional wishing to join NGAI shall attend the D Course and give the theory examination. Thereafter a PAT needs to be cleared. He/she must then attach to a mentor who will be a NGAI Teaching Staff, Technical Staff, Assistant Teaching Staff for a period of 4 days where he/she shall observe and learn how practical lessons are done. A fee of Rs. 12000/- shall be payable to NGAI for the same. (ii) The exam is based on 100% theory with 50% pass mark to obtain a category certification. (iii) Amateurs are allowed to attend the course but are not eligible to give the examination.
  • The exam is based on 100% theory with 50% pass mark to obtain a category certification.
  • Amateurs are allowed to attend the course but are not eligible to give the examination.

Category C Course

  • Eligibility – Category D Certificate must have been achieved.
  • D Category Coaches must gain at least one year`s experience and must attend one zonal Refresher Course during that period prior to attending a C Category course.
  • Exam – 50% theory and 50% practical with a pass mark of 60% in each to obtain a Category C Certification.

Category B Course

  • Eligibility – B Category Coaches must gain at least 2 years’ experience in B Category and must attend one Refresher Course at NGAI during that period prior to attending an A Category course where they can give the exam year.
  • Presentation – The examinee has to do a 45 minute presentation with a minimum of 30 slides on any one of the subjects as listed on the NGAI website. The candidate shall have the option of presenting while attending in year 1 or year 2 and the better marks out of the two shall be counted. They can only sit the examination in the year 2 of attending the B to A Course.
  • Exam – 20% Theory and 80% Practical (30 marks for presentation, 30 marks practical and 20 marks classroom knowledge, interaction and discipline).
  • Pass Mark of 80% overall to obtain Category A Certification.

Refresher Courses

  • The NGAI shall conduct National Refresher Courses.
  • All A Category professionals shall need to attend one National Refresher Course once in every two years as part of their CEC.
  • All B / C / D / Category professionals can attend Zonal or National Refresher Courses every year as part of their CEC.
  • A professional who has not attended a refresher course for one year can do so in the next year but is required to pay a fine of INR 6000/- in addition to the fee of the refresher course.
  • A professional who has not attended a refresher course for two years or more shall lose his status and Teaching License. He can become active again by attending the course of his current level (over 5 days) but does not need to give the examination.
  • Attending a global seminar like PGA Teaching Summit / PGA Europe Teaching Summit shall be treated as a refresher course. Any professional wanting to count the same as a Refresher Course must write to NGAI in advance.
  • Teaching Staff. As per Teaching Staff (TS) allocation by Directors of NGAI.

Conduct of Various Courses

The various course conducted by NGAI as given above, are conducted with following frequency and at locations which are decided at the beginning of each calendar year :-

  • A / B / C / D Course – Once a year.
  • Refresher Course – Four times a year.
  • NGAI Teaching Summit – One / twice a year.

Exemption Policy

The NGAI has the following exemption Policy that is applicable at various levels:-

  • International Tour Players: Indian and Foreign Golf Playing Professionals who have held a Tour Card for 5 years or more (Top 60) on the Men’s Asian, Australian, European, Japanese or US Tours are exempt from the Playing Ability Test (PAT). They are eligible to directly register and attend the annual Category “B” Certification Course and take the exam. If the exam is successfully cleared they will be certified as a Category “B” Teaching Professional else they will be classified as a Category ‘C’ Teaching Professional.
  • Indian and Foreign Golf Playing Professionals who have held an Indian Men’s Tour card for 5 years or more (Top 60) are exempt from the Playing Ability Test (PAT). They are eligible to directly register and attend the annual Category “C” Certification Course and take the exam. If the exam is successfully cleared they will be certified as a Category “C” Teaching Professional, else they will be classified as a Category “D” Teaching Professional.
  • The Indian Men’s Tour players and the top 50% of the money earners list in the Indian Women’s Tour are exempt from the Playing Ability Test (PAT). They are eligible to directly register and attend the apprenticeship course with NGAI Teaching Staff, Assistant Teaching Staff & Technical Staff and then do the Category ‘D’ Course and take the exam. If the exam is successfully cleared they will be certified as a Category ‘D’ Teaching Professional, else they will not be classified.

Foreign Teaching Professionals: Foreign Teaching Golf Professionals must apply in writing and receive permission to teach golf in India. They must be members of a PGA training programme which is recognised by the PGA of Europe or members of a recognised PGA with a similar training programme.

Special Cases : For Special Cases e.g. Amateur players who have represented India, Arjuna Awardees, etc.; the NGAI will review each case on its individual merits. All individuals wanting to apply for special dispensation or consideration must submit their case in writing to the Managing Committee at least eight weeks prior to the candidate appearing for the relevant course, stating clearly their reasons for application under this exemption. Amateurs applying under this category will be given an exemption from the Playing Ability Test (PAT) only. The NGAI reserves the right to reject any application without assigning any reason. A candidate who has completed a minimum of a 2 year degree from either the PGA of GB&I or the PGA of America may apply to the NGAI to sit the year 1 of the B to A Course and subsequently the year 2 and give the exam in year 2. Once they sit the year 1, they shall be given a B Categorization

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