At the NDTV World Summit 2025 on Saturday, Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) president and 1983 Cricket World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev declared golf a far more challenging sport than cricket, citing its unforgiving precision and tiny margins for error. Speaking at the launch of the NDTV Golf Pro-Am, Kapil contrasted the two sports, noting that cricketers can score by hitting a ball in any direction across 360 degrees, while golfers face dire consequences for even the slightest miscalculation. "In golf, if you're off by even a little, you're out of the game," he emphasised, dispelling the notion that golf is a simple pastime. His remarks, delivered with characteristic candour and humour, underscored the sport’s growing allure in India, where it is gaining traction among athletes and enthusiasts alike.

Kapil highlighted the steep learning curve that deters many beginners, revealing that nearly 90 per cent abandon golf within the first 15 days of training due to its technical demands. "The smaller the target, the tougher the game," he explained, adding that those who persevere for two to three weeks often become lifelong devotees. "If you stay with it for two weeks, you'll never leave it," he said, laughing as he acknowledged his own less polished oratory compared to others. His passion for fostering competitive spirit shone through, as he urged players to embrace golf’s challenges, return to the course, and express themselves through the sport, which he sees as a platform for joy and resilience, distinct from cricket’s team-driven intensity.

The former cricket legend also shed light on golf’s universal appeal, particularly its accessibility across generations. "You don’t get greens on a cricket field. Golf is a sport you can play at any age—with your father, your grandchildren, your friends, your wife," Kapil noted, explaining why athletes from other disciplines, including cricketers and footballers, are drawn to it. Unlike sports that demand peak physicality, golf allows players to compete well into their 50s and beyond, fostering inclusivity. This aligns with PGTI’s push to expand golf’s footprint in India, where courses like Delhi Golf Club and emerging facilities in Bengaluru host growing tournaments, drawing over 10,000 amateur players annually, per industry estimates.

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Kapil’s comments at the summit, attended by global leaders and sports figures, spotlight golf’s rising profile amid India’s sporting evolution, bolstered by initiatives like the NDTV Golf Pro-Am. As cricket dominates with 1.5 billion fans domestically, golf’s niche but expanding base—evidenced by a 20% rise in PGTI event participation since 2023—signals a diversifying athletic culture. With Kapil advocating for its mental and physical rigour, golf is poised to attract a new generation, challenging stereotypes and cementing its place as a sport of endurance and elegance, where precision trumps power and patience outshines haste.

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