For Indian men's professional golf, the Hero Indian Open is the biggest platform. But the recent disastrous home result has sent shock waves. Only three Indian professionals made the cut, the lowest since 2015. Fans are concerned, and theories abound on why Indian golf is struggling.
It's not a fair reflection of the quality of Indian professional golf. The success of players like Jeev Milkha Singh, Arjun Atwal, and Anirban Lahiri is a thing of the past. The COVID pandemic didn't help, but now, in 2026, there's no reason why Indian players shouldn't be contending at international tournaments.
The DLF golf course is a major factor. It's the toughest course in the DP World Tour schedule, with a course rating of 78 from the back tees. Indian players are used to playing shorter courses with flat greens, making it difficult for them to adapt.
The field at the Hero Indian Open was also a concern. Players like Gaganjeet Bhullar and Karandeep Kochhar were not included due to their membership in the rival Indian Premier Golf League (IGPL). The Indian Golf Union (IGU) needs to work with the DP World Tour to get more spots for Indian players or create a category for leading IGPL players.
The system in place is also a problem. The IGU needs a high-performance programme that delivers young players ready for professional golf. A dedicated facility with qualified national coaches and support staff is necessary to ensure a pipeline of promising youngsters.
Private efforts by players and coaches are underway, but the IGU must facilitate a high-performance programme. Mindset is not the problem; Indian golfers have too much pride in what they do. Attitude and mental toughness are what differentiate champions from others.
