India’s Golfing Calendar 2026: A Promising Start
Each January, during my annual visit to Dubai, I am reminded of how effectively the city has positioned itself as a global golfing destination. With golfers arriving from across the world, even Dubai’s 22 golf courses are proving inadequate to meet demand. The steady influx of long-term expatriates and international communities has only strengthened the sport’s appeal, prompting the development of additional golf facilities to keep pace with its growing popularity.
Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer and title sponsor of the Dubai Desert Classic for the past three years, along with its partners, has elevated the event to exceptional standards. The scale of spectatorship and the professional management of this flagship tournament in the MENA region deserve special commendation. A particularly heartening highlight this year was participation in the R&A’s Women in Golf initiative, hosted alongside the championship. Women golfers from various clubs were invited to share perspectives on advancing women’s golf in the UAE. The interaction with golfers from diverse nationalities was enriching, and the presence of local Emirati women was especially encouraging.
It was also gratifying to see former Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour players Siddhi Kapoor and Trisha Sunil Kumar flourishing in professional roles in Dubai. Siddhi is now part of the teaching faculty at Emirates Golf Club, while Trisha is engaged in golf operations at Dubai Creek Club—one of the region’s most iconic facilities. Initiatives led by the R&A, including those spearheaded by Neal Graham, have significantly expanded golf’s reach across the region and in India, engaging millions through digital platforms.
The Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour began the year on a strong and positive note, with two successful events held in January. The tournaments were staged at Bombay Presidency Golf Club in Mumbai and at Kalhaar Blues and Greens in Ahmedabad. In Mumbai, Jasmine Shekhar delivered a standout performance, posting a superb final-round 65 to secure a four-shot victory over Riddima Dilawari. The second leg saw Dilawari edge past seasoned amateur Zara Anand by a single stroke, moving to the top of the Hero Order of Merit after two events. The combined prize money for the opening legs totaled ₹34 lacs (37000 USD). With stricter qualifying criteria now in place, professional women’s golf in India is witnessing unprecedented growth and competitiveness.
On the international front, Diksha Dagar—India’s Asian Games probable for 2026 and the nation’s third-highest ranked female golfer globally—has confirmed her participation in the Indonesian Women’s Open in early February. The Asian Games 2026 will be held at Aichi Country Club in Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. Looking ahead, golf at the Asian Games will move to Doha and Riyadh for the 2030 and 2034 editions respectively.
However, some uncertainty surrounds golf’s planned debut at the Commonwealth Games in March 2026, following Victoria, Australia’s decision to withdraw as host of the Games.
Meanwhile, qualifiers for the Hero Women’s Golf Tour are scheduled to take place at Oxford Golf Resort, Pune, in mid-February, marking another important milestone in the domestic competitive calendar.
By Champika N. Sayal
February 2026
