From a humble starting in rural Haryana to the top of world cricket, Kapil Dev has seen all of it. However over practically three a long time, the captain of the 1983 World Cup-winning group has walked many miles to cowl the gap from a curious golfer to the dedicated President of the Skilled Golf Tour of India (PGTI).
On this one-of-a-kind interview with Sportstar, Kapil displays on his love for golf and his imaginative and prescient for the way forward for Indian golfers.
Are you able to recall your first impression of golf?
I recollect it was within the early Nineties, when Sir Gary Sobers visited India for enterprise and instructed me he wished to play golf. I didn’t know something concerning the sport, so I referred to as a buddy and instructed him that Gary wished to play it in Delhi, and I didn’t know whom to method.
He stated, “Don’t fear, I’ll simply signal him in on the Delhi Golf Membership.” Since Sobers wasn’t carrying his golf set, he wanted one to play. On the Membership he was requested whether or not he wanted a set for a right-hander or a left-hander. Sobers stated it didn’t matter — any set would do. I used to be additional confused.
Then they requested Sobers what his handicap was. He stated it was two if he performed right-handed and one if he performed left-handed.
The person on the Membership regarded shocked! He thought he had heard it unsuitable. However quickly the confusion was over.
On the appointed day, I took him to the Membership and walked the course whereas he performed. He was so good. I admired his talent units. He was really the best cricketing hero of our time. No cricketer was larger than Sir Gary. He was given a cart and he performed with two members of the membership.
After just a few years, as soon as I finished taking part in cricket in late 1994, a buddy of mine, Karan Dubey, who performed Ranji Trophy with me, stated, “Let’s play golf.”
I stated, “I don’t wish to. It’s for previous individuals. I nonetheless really feel younger. I wish to avoid individuals — I wish to have time to myself.”
However he insisted. I stated, “There are lots of people.”
He stated, “Simply come. There gained’t be anybody on the course.”
I practised for just a few days on the Military course close to Dhaula Kuan, after which, for the primary time, I got here to play on the Delhi Golf Membership.
I took classes from Vikramjit Singh and later Amit Luthra.
I keep in mind round 100 individuals got here to see me, and I checked out Karan and stated, “You realize I don’t wish to be right here.” He stated the individuals could be there solely on the primary tee-box. “After that, solely you, your pals and 4 caddies could be there. No one can stroll with you,” he stated.
So I began hitting the ball and, as luck would have it, I used to be hitting lengthy and exhausting. I suppose my cricketing muscle tissue come into play each time I strike the ball exhausting. Sure, it (golf ball) used to float proper and extra proper, however when it comes to distance it was lengthy. And I began having fun with that.
“I suppose my cricketing muscle tissue come into play each time I strike the golf ball exhausting” – Kapil
| Picture Credit score:
The Hindu Picture Library
“I suppose my cricketing muscle tissue come into play each time I strike the golf ball exhausting” – Kapil
| Picture Credit score:
The Hindu Picture Library
Any specific purpose why you liked the game and proceed to play even after shut to 3 a long time?
I like the sport as a result of in golf you don’t rely upon anybody. You’re by yourself — simply me and my caddie, the 2 of us. We determine what to do. And the goal may be very small, which makes it more difficult. And, when you hit a nasty shot, you don’t must criticise anybody; you possibly can solely blame your self. Sooner or later, I felt I used to be born to play golf.
Did anybody say you had some particular expertise for golf?
I keep in mind the primary time I performed with Vikramjit Singh, he seen I had higher hand-eye coordination than individuals with extra expertise. Secondly, Amit Luthra instructed me to maintain my head down whereas taking a shot and never look as much as see the place the ball was going.
These have been the 2 individuals I listened to and that’s how I bought deep into golf. Thereafter, I performed with some execs and continued studying from them. There was a time after they would play with me by giving me just a few handicap strokes. However inside three to 5 years of taking part in, I used to be the one giving them the strokes as a substitute. I used to be so over the moon. I can’t specific the way it felt to start out taking part in higher than the individuals who gave you golf classes. That was an enormous excessive for me.
Typically I really feel that if I had performed golf throughout my cricketing days, I might have ended my profession with 2,000 extra runs.
Why do you are feeling that approach?
As a result of the extent of focus in golf is a thousand instances greater than in cricket. So I all the time inform individuals — now and again play different sports activities as nicely; it can assist construct your thoughts and focus, which is essential.
In my time, my pals and teammates by no means performed something apart from cricket. I recall Sunil Gavaskar used to play badminton generally, however many of the gamers I performed with didn’t pursue some other sport.
However trying again, I really feel that inside me I had a contact of sports activities. Many individuals can solely play one recreation, however I can decide up any recreation and it’ll not take for much longer for me to get higher at it.
Do you keep in mind your first handicap?
I feel inside a yr and a half I used to be taking part in to a handicap of eight. I used to be practising very exhausting. On the driving vary, I wished to hit for 2 hours within the morning and return to the membership for one more couple of hours of chipping and placing.
That was primarily as a result of I didn’t wish to do the rest. I had a lot spare time. Both I went for a run or exercised. So initially I spent two to 4 hours day by day and actually loved it.
What sort of pleasure did golf carry you?
It’s like flying a kite with no thread and nonetheless controlling it. I feel that’s what gave me a kick. I loved it. I used to dream about it and I didn’t thoughts getting up early as a result of I used to be used to it as a result of cricket.
Lots of people who aren’t good golfers don’t play within the morning; they play within the afternoon.
How did you turn into a daily on the golf membership?
I lived near the Delhi Golf Membership. Throughout my cricketing days, my spouse’s grandfather stuffed up the membership kind on my behalf. I don’t keep in mind what occurred then, however once I began golf the Delhi Golf Membership was type sufficient to present me honorary membership. They stated I didn’t must pay for being an honorary member.
However I stated no — I wish to pay and turn into a full member, which I’m at current.
When did you turn into extra bold as a golfer?
For 2 to 3 years, my handicap was between 10 and eight. However as time handed, it got here down to 2. Initially I didn’t realise the way it occurred. However later, I seen I had turn into extra bold. The place I used to be often making a par, I wished to chip in from across the inexperienced (for a birdie). When you begin considering, ‘Can I chip in from across the inexperienced?’ you cease bothering about par. You’re aiming larger.
I feel in a span of a yr or two, I went from six to 4 to 3. Two was my finest handicap. I did play scratch, however two was my finest.
“The extent of focus in golf is a thousand instances greater than in cricket. So I all the time inform individuals — now and again play different sports activities as nicely; it can assist construct your thoughts and focus, which is essential. In my time, my pals and teammates by no means performed something apart from cricket. I recall Sunil Gavaskar used to play badminton generally, however many of the gamers I performed with didn’t pursue some other sport.”
| Picture Credit score:
SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP
“The extent of focus in golf is a thousand instances greater than in cricket. So I all the time inform individuals — now and again play different sports activities as nicely; it can assist construct your thoughts and focus, which is essential. In my time, my pals and teammates by no means performed something apart from cricket. I recall Sunil Gavaskar used to play badminton generally, however many of the gamers I performed with didn’t pursue some other sport.”
| Picture Credit score:
SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP
What have been your finest scores on among the abroad programs you performed in championship situations?
I performed at Dunhill, at St Andrews, and was two-under. That was round ten years in the past.
How did the supply to move the PGTI come your approach?
Actually, I didn’t wish to be within the PGTI. When Mr Gautam Thapar headed the PGTI for a very long time, I used to speak to the gamers. It got here from my love for the sport. I used to say, “You deserve a significantly better life than what you’ve.”
I meant, 5 to seven crore rupees prize cash for 300 individuals for the entire season? It’s not sufficient. Maybe the golfers felt my love for the sport was deeper. They stated I ought to be a part of the PGTI Board. I stated I knew nothing about how issues labored, however they made me a member 4 years in the past.
You may have maintained that the company sector could possibly be a supply of extra money into mainstream golf.
I nonetheless imagine company golf in India is way larger than skilled golf. It has extra common tournaments all around the yr. I all the time say that the individuals who organise company golf ought to carry that cash into the primary channel.
Your tenure has seen an enormous rise in prize cash. What’s your imaginative and prescient earlier than you step down as PGTI chief?
We’ve got touched round ₹60 crore this season. I hope we attain ₹100 crore inside a few years, God keen.
How lengthy do you want to proceed on this function?
I don’t wish to proceed after two phrases. I imagine no one ought to stay in a single seat longer than they’re purported to. Everybody ought to get an opportunity. Each president, each secretary has a job to do — don’t overstay.
Do you intend to extend the variety of tournaments or enhance prize cash?
Ideally, I see 20–22 weeks of golf for the highest gamers. For the subsequent line of rising gamers, one other 10–15 weeks. For second-tier gamers, they’ll transfer from taking part in in Delhi to smaller cities like Meerut.
Second-tier tournaments are essential. However all this requires cash. And I don’t wish to go to the federal government. The federal government’s job is to take care of different features of sport. We don’t need authorities funds. But when CSR funds can be utilized, given on this facet, we’d be a lot happier.
What steps do you take note of for the good thing about gamers?
On the PGTI, we would like a tie-up with some airways so our gamers can journey inside India for tournaments at discounted fares. I would like parity amongst gamers in any respect ranges. In the intervening time we offer free meals to all individuals and their caddies throughout tournaments — a step we launched not too long ago.
Going ahead, will probably be extra particular. At present we offer roti, rice, dal, dahi and sabzi. In future, we’ll seek the advice of dieticians. There are restraints at this time and gamers lack consciousness. As consciousness grows, their diets will enhance qualitatively.
Earlier than I allow you to go, are you able to share one practical want for Indian golf?
If I stated an Indian could possibly be within the prime 10 in Europe or America in a yr or two, that might be very troublesome. However realistically, I’m in search of an Olympic medal for India in golf.
Revealed on Dec 15, 2025