Certification

Playing Ability Test

1. NGAI shall organize 2 PAT’s in a year – One in North Zone and one in the South Zone
2. In case a candidate would like to appear in a PAT by playing in an IGU tournament, he/she will play off the same tees as all other players in the event.
3. PAT Passing score for two days is 14 over for under 50 years of age and 20 over for Seniors above 50.
4. NGAI PAT dates shall be announced through NGAI website / email communications.
5. Result of PAT is valid for 18 months.

1. International Tour Players: Indian and Foreign Golf Playing Professionals who have held a Tour Card for 5 years or more (Top 60) on the Men’s Asian, Australian, European, Japanese or US Tours are exempt from the Playing Ability Test (PAT). They are eligible to directly register and attend the annual Category “B” Certification Course and take the exam. If the exam is successfully cleared they will be certified as a Category “B” Teaching Professional else they will be classified as a Category ‘C’ Teaching Professional.
2. Indian and Foreign Golf Playing Professionals who have held an Indian Men’s Tour card for 5 years or more (Top 60) are exempt from the Playing Ability Test (PAT). They are eligible to directly register and attend the annual Category “C” Certification Course and take the exam. If the exam is successfully cleared they will be certified as a Category “C” Teaching Professional, else they will be classified as a Category “D” Teaching Professional.
3. The Indian Men’s Tour players and the top 50% of the money earners list in the Indian Women’s Tour are exempt from the Playing Ability Test (PAT). They are eligible to directly register and attend the apprenticeship course with NGAI Teaching Staff, Assistant Teaching Staff & Technical Staff and then do the Category ‘D’ Course and take the exam. If the exam is successfully cleared they will be certified as a Category ‘D’ Teaching Professional, else they will not be classified.
4. Foreign Teaching Professionals: Foreign Teaching Golf Professionals must apply in writing and receive permission to teach golf in India. They must be members of a PGA training programme which is recognised by the PGA of Europe or members of a recognised PGA with a similar training programme.
5. Special Cases (e.g. Amateur players who have represented India, Arjuna Awardees, etc.) The NGAI will review each case on its individual merits. All individuals wanting to apply for special dispensation or consideration must submit their case in writing to the Managing Committee at least eight weeks prior to the candidate appearing for the relevant course, stating clearly their reasons for application under this exemption. Amateurs applying under this category will be given an exemption from the Playing Ability Test (PAT) only. The NGAI reserves the right to reject any application without assigning any reason.

1. Playing Ability Test – PAT

• NGAI shall organize 2 PAT’s in a year – One in North Zone and one in the South Zone
• In case a candidate would like to appear PAT  by playing in an IGU tournament, he/she will play off the same tees as all other players in the event.
• PAT Passing score for two days is 14 over for under 50 years of age and 20 over for Seniors above 50.
• NGAI PAT dates shall be announced through NGAI Website/email communications.
• Result of PAT is valid for 18 months

2. Category D Course

• Eligibility – A professional wishing to join NGAI shall attend the D Course and give the theory examination. Thereafter a PAT needs to be cleared. He/She must then attach to a mentor who will be a NGAI Teaching Staff, Technical Staff, Assistant Teaching Staff for a period of 4 days where he/she shall observe and learn how practical lessons are done. A fee of Rs. 12000/- shall be payable to NGAI for the same.
• The exam is based on 100% theory with 50% pass mark to obtain a category certification.
• Amateurs are allowed to attend the course but are not eligible to give the examination.

3. Category C Course

• Eligibility – Category D Certificate must have been achieved
• D Category Coaches must gain at least one years experience and must attend one zonal Refresher Course during that period prior to attending a C Category course
• Exam – 50% theory and 50% practical with a pass mark of 60% in each to obtain a Category C Certification

4. Category B Course

• Eligibility – C Category coaches must gain at least 2 years experience in C Category and must attend one zonal refresher course in each year during that period prior to attending a B Category course
• Exam – 50% theory and 50% practical with a pass mark of 70% in each to obtain a Category B Certification.

5. Category A Course

• Eligibility – B Category Coaches must gain at least 2 years experience in B Category and must attend one A Certification Course at NGAI during that period prior to attending an A Category course where they can give the exam. Their attendance at the A Certification course at NGAI for the first time shall count as a refresher for the year.
• Presentation – The examinee has to do a 45 minutes presentation with a minimum of 30 slides on any one of the subjects as listed on the NGAI website. The candidate shall have the option of presenting while attending in year 1 or year 2 and the better marks out of the two shall be counted. They can only sit the examination in the year 2 of attending the B to A Course.
• Exam – 20% Theory and 80% Practical (30 marks for presentation, 30 marks practical and 20 marks classroom knowledge, interaction and discipline)
• Pass Mark of 80% overall to obtain Category A Certification.

6. Refresher Courses

1. The NGAI shall conduct  Zonal Refresher Course and National Refresher Courses.
2. All A Category professionals shall need to attend one National Refresher Course once in every two years as part of their CEC. 
3. All B / C / D / Category professionals can attend Zonal or National Refresher Courses every year as part of their CEC.
4. A professional who has not attended a refresher course for one year can do so in the next year but is required to pay a fine of INR 6000/- in addition to the fee of the refresher course.
5. A professional who has not attended a refresher course for two years or more shall lose his status and Teaching License. He can become active again by attending the course of his current level (over 5 days) but does not need to give the examination.
6. Attending a global seminar like PGA Teaching Summit / PGA Europe Teaching Summit shall be treated as a refresher course. Any professional wanting to count the same as a Refresher Course must write to NGAI in advance.

*A Professional who has not attended a refresher course for one year can do so in the next year but is required to pay a non attendance fee of Rs. 6,000/- in addition to the fee of the refresher course. A Professional who has not attended a refresher course for two years or more will lose his status and Teaching License.  He/She must attend a refresher course and is also required to pay a non attendance fee of Rs. 6,000/- in addition to the fee of the refresher course. He/She also has to attend a current level course for which the fee is Rs. 5750/- but does not need to give the examination.

Cat B to A
(Topics for Presentation)

1. Junior Golf Development
2. Faults and Fixes
3. Bio – Mechanics
4. Putting
5. The Short Game
6. Club Fitting
7. The Swing Plane
8. Fitness for Golf
9. Mental Aspects for Golf
10. Laws Vs Preferences applicable to the Golf Swing
11. Use of Video Camera and Analysis Software

NOTE: Presentation is to be handed over to teaching staff at the start of the B to A Program

Guidelines for B to A Category Course

1. All presentations are to be submitted to Teaching Staff on the morning of Day 1 of the course
2. Teaching Staff shall ask one or two attendees to present on each day of the course
3. An attendee may present either while attending the refresher B to A or while he / she attend the course the second time and is eligible to sit the exam. The higher marks out of the two shall be counted towards the final evaluation
4. The topics for presentation are listed on the NGAI website
5. Each presentation must be of minimum 30 slides and the presenter shall present to the Teaching Staff and other attendees for 45 minutes
6. The presentation must be an original work of the presenter and all sources of reference used in making the presentation must be duly acknowledged
7. The presenter has to defend his presentation from any questions that the Teaching Staff or any of the attendees may ask
8. The total marks of the course are 100 and an attendee must get 80% to pass and become an A Certified Teaching Professional
9. The break-up of the marks is as follows:• Presentation – 30 Marks
   • Practical sessions and evaluations – 30 marks
   • In classroom knowledge / interaction / turnout / discipline – 20 marks
   • Theory exam – 20 marks
   • Total 100 marks
10. Practical assessments shall be ongoing throughout the week and attendees shall be assessed on quality of evaluation of problem and solutions given
11. The theory exam is of 90 minutes and shall have 20 marks
12. The theory exam shall be held on the morning of the last day of the course
13. The attendees who are doing a B to A refresher and are not eligible to give the exam may leave after the end of day session on the second last day of the course