R&A’s magic golfing gift to Indian girls

Magic Bus India Foundation, which began over 26 years ago with the aim of empowering adolescents with life skills education through sport, has launched golf as its newest offering thanks to the support of The R&A Foundation.

Launched in 2024, the programme combines structured life skills education with introductory golf coaching for girls aged 12–15 at Salwan Girls’ Senior Secondary School.

An initial 491 students joined the programme with 50, who demonstrated the highest interest and aptitude for golf continuing with coaching.

All 491 will continue to receive life skills education for three years.

Magic Bus provides an opportunity to develop participants from childhood to livelihood by building communication, self-management and emotional resilience.

It also provides access to a sport many families in India have traditionally viewed as exclusive and inaccessible.

The initiative reflects The R&A’s commitment to opening golf to the world through growing the sport in new communities, breaking down barriers to participation and ensuring young people have the confidence and capability to thrive through the opportunities golf provides.

Caroline Wallard, Director of Philanthropy at The R&A, said: “The R&A Foundation invests in programmes that use golf for good and have the power to transform lives.

"Magic Bus is delivering an approach that not only opens the door to the sport for girls, but strengthens their confidence and enhances their life skills and future prospects.

“Thanks to the generosity of our philanthropic donors, we are proud to support a programme that is helping transform lives and communities through golf.”

This year, it is anticipated that 1200 students from two additional schools, Kasturba Balika Vidyalaya and Salwan Boys' School will be introduced to golf via the Magic Bus India Foundation.

Jayant Rastogi, Global CEO, Magic Bus India Foundation, said: “At Magic Bus, we believe life skills gained through sport are a powerful catalyst for development. By introducing golf we are democratising access to a sport once seen as exclusive, while building critical life skills, agency and confidence in young girls.

“Our partnership with The R&A Foundation reflects a shared commitment to nurturing resilient girls who can emerge as meaningful contributors to India’s growth story. When girls are equipped with skills, opportunity and aspiration, they become drivers of a stronger, more inclusive Viksit Bharat.”

The Golf Revolution has aligned with Magic Bus India Foundation to provide golf specific coaching to participants including theory, practical range work, simulator-based learning, long and short game drills and monthly distance metrics.

Sachit Soni, Co-Founder of The Golf Revolution, said: “The Golf Revolution’s creative and innovative approach to group training makes it a highly engaging experience. Watching the girls take to golf with such enjoyment and commitment has been remarkable; in only eight months they have developed swings that many golfers take years to build.

"Their focus and determination show just how impactful it is to bring golf into schools and to open the door to new possibilities.”

The programme’s success is already evident in the personal journeys of participants such as Jainab, Ritika and Somi, whose experiences demonstrate how access to sport and consistent mentorship can support a young person’s development.

Twelve-year-old Jainab joined the programme as a shy and hesitant student. Through weekly life skills sessions and golf training, she learned to communicate confidently, manage her time and take initiative in class. Her steady improvement resulted in a strong performance at her first tournament, where she finished as runner-up.

Of her new-found love for golf, Jainab said: “When I first played golf, I didn’t even know what it was. But when the second session happened, we enjoyed it so much. We learned so many good things. One day I want people to see me and say, ‘That’s Jainab, the professional golfer!’”