Golf Tourism

Submitted To – Mr. Sanjay

Submitted By- Shivam & Arnav
Class – ATHM 5
DEFINITION
 Golf tourism is the term used
to describe trips undertaken by
persons for which the main
purpose is to play golf. Golf
may also be pursued as a
secondary activity. This type of
activity is more difficult to
measure, and whilst it can be
important for the golf courses
themselves it has little
significance for tour operators.
Estimate of Global Market Size
The global golf tourism market is worth over $17 billion,
according to the International Association of Golfing
Tour Operators (IAGTO).56 million people play golf
worldwide: 26.7 million in the United States, 5 million
in Canada, 5.5 million in continental Europe, 14
million in Japan, and 3.8 million in the United
Kingdom. Of this 56 million, between 5% and 10%
travel overseas each year for the main purpose being
to play golf – therefore making the international size
of the golf tourism market between 2.8 million and 5.6
million.
EARLY BEGINNINGS
 The history of golf in India started with the Royal
Calcutta Golf Course in Kolkata, the oldest golf club
in the world to be founded outside of England and
Scotland in 1829. As British influence spread
over the vast subcontinent, golf courses and clubs
were established wherever “a patch of grass grew,”
and in many places where it did not. India’s second
golf club, Royal Bombay came up in 1842, the
second oldest in the world outside of Scotland and
England. Thirty years had to go by before the city of
Bengaluru started a golf club in 1876, followed in
1878 by the scenic Shillong Club in Upper
Assam. Next, Ahmedabad started a golf club in 1884
and two years later, the Madras Gymkhana Club
started a golf section.
CURRENT SCENARIO
 Today, India has more than 220 golf courses of
which 30 are professional level and 15 are
signature ones at par with
international standards. Several others
are located in beautiful resorts across
the country. It surely goes to say that golf
in India is not just a game but a lifestyle
in itself.
PROMINENT GOLF COURSES
 Starting at the top, the Royal Spring Golf Course
in Srinagar enjoys panoramic views of the Dal
Lake, and is undoubtedly one of the most
stunning golf courses in Asia. Not too far away is
the Gulmarg Golf Course—the highest course in
the world, it also boasts of India’s longest hole.
INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE GOLF
TOURISM
 In 1955, the Indian Golf Union (IGU), formed in New
Delhi, took over the mantle of governing the sport in
India from the Royal Calcutta Golf Club, which
had been handling India’s golf interests since its
inception in 1829. The IGU is the apex body of golf in
the country and is responsible for the promotion and
development of golf in India.
 In 2015, ministry officials said that
financial assistance would be provided to conduct
approved golf events in the country. For instance, to
promote women’s golf, the ministry would
provide financial assistance for a maximum of
two professional events with the upper ceiling of up
to Rs 1 crore each for the Ladies Professional Golf
Association (LPGA) Tour and the Ladies European
Tour.