According to Sanam Merchant, a golf and etiquette instructor at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club, “Kids are being introduced to the game at a very young age today. We have students who are just seven. A huge number of kids are from the St Gregoris School in Chembur and from Dhirubhai Ambani School. In fact, such is the demand that we have begun organising a junior coaching camp.”

Here, at a reasonable monthly fee of Rs 750 (for members) and Rs 850 (non-members), students are trained by professionals— in the game as well as the etiquette of the game. “Our main aim is to promote golf in the younger generation,” says Merchant.

The younger lot seems completely smitten. Meet 15-year-old Viren Sahajwala, a student of St Gregoris School. A tennis champ from a very young age, he was introduced to golf in a summer camp two years ago. Today Sahajwala has won several tournaments even at the state level. Vijaya, his proud mother says, “Viren is focused. He gives his best to whatever he takes up,” she says. “Today he loves golf and the best quality in him is that he plays both tennis and golf with equal panache. Any sports activity does help in bringing out a child’s personality. But I haven’t yet thought about whether golf will help him professionally or not.”

Merchant points out that a game like golf has a lot to teach kids. “The game requires patience, discipline, concentration, planning and focus. All of which is required to develop a child’s overall character,” she says. She also points out that in a polluted city like Mumbai, golf allows children to play in a green environment.