Mumbai 'slum golfers' learn how to strike gold with iron

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Mumbai’s ‘slum golf’ is India’s answer to a more accessible form of golf, as demonstrated by founder Suresh Mehboobani on Wednesday.

Mehboobani’s attention was first captured by the sport in his school days due to the presence of a nearby golf course.

“We used to sit near the edge and watch the game and try to understand what the game is about,” he explained.

Despite later getting a job as a caddy on the course, Mehboobani was still unable to participate in the sport, which is regarded as exclusive by many.

Mehboobani’s urge to get involved in the sport inspired him to make his own equipment out of scrap metal and practice out in his urban surroundings, be it alleyways or streets, founding the roots of the ‘slum golf’ discipline in the year 2000.

“A few years ago we started converting building metal scraps into iron clubs by melting them and from scrap from cylinder pipes we made the grips, because for the clubs we need a proper grip”, explained Mehboobani.

“Like with the original golf clubs, we made the iron clubs by converting everything from scrap. Inside [courses] they use golf balls, but for safety, we use plastic balls outside”, added Mehboobani.

According to the street golf pioneer, the discipline has caught the attention of local youths, a number of whom he has been training.

Mehboobani believes that through the practising of good form while out on the streets, slum golfers can learn the basics that will give them the confidence to perform on a real golf course.

“If they go and play the real game, they will not be scared of people watching them while hitting the balls. It’s like a field when they are out playing in the slums, so when they go to the actual field they hit the ball perfectly,” he explained.

Mehboobani believes that the discipline can be a path to a better future for dedicated youths, if given proper training and support.

While the origins of golf remain disputed, various formats and adaptations of the sport have emerged in different degrees of formality over the years.

SOUNDBITES:

SOT, Suresh Mehboobani, Slum Golf founder (Hindi): “When we were young, eight or nine years ago, there was a golf course near to our school. We used to sit near the edge and watch the game and try to understand what the game is about. Then we went inside and got work as caddies, but we were not allowed to play. Then I started playing this game with plastic balls, modifying building iron rods as clubs.”

SOT, Suresh Mehboobani, Slum Golf founder (Hindi): “Actually few kids from this locality are interested in this game (Slum golf) and used to play with us and we would teach them the game. It would be great if these kids get the opportunity to play like my daughter Asmi Mehboobani and my colleague Sunil Baba Shinde, whose son who got the opportunity to play at the academy. Likewise, if other clubs give an opportunity to these kids, then their future will be better and they could become great players.”

SOT, Suresh Mehboobani, Slum Golf founder (Hindi): “A few years ago we started converting building metal scraps into iron clubs by melting them and from scrap from cylinder pipes we made the grips, because for the clubs we need a proper grip. Like with the original golf clubs, we made the iron clubs by converting everything from scrap. Inside [courses] they (Golfers) use golf balls, but for safety, we use plastic balls outside.”

SOT, Suresh Mehboobani, Slum Golf founder (Hindi): “When we are playing in the slums, what happens is that we can clearly plan the grip position, standing position, and hitting position. Our minds get cleared up and can perfectly plan the hitting position. With the training they (Slum golfers) get here, if they go and play the real game, they will not be scared of people watching them while hitting the balls. It’s like a field when they are out playing in the slums, so when they go to the actual field they hit the ball perfectly. They will be prepared for the swing position and body position, and they get all this training when they play in the slums. So when they play with the real ball inside [a golf course] they will be able to hit the ball with accuracy.”

SOT, Mayur Mistry, Golfer: “Actually everyone here gets excited and it’s a new thing which they are seeing. Golf is not much recognized in India [sic]. Now we are getting recognized because of some players like Aditi Ashok, [for] which she has just represented our country and ranked 4th in the Olympics.”

#SlumGolf #Mumbai #India

Video ID: 20210821-011

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