
India’s first National Inter-Club Pairs Golf Championship is here!
Played across 25+ premier clubs, this is the exclusive India Qualifier for the International Pairs World Final.
Open to all amateur golfers with valid handicaps—men, ladies, seniors—pairs compete at their home clubs. Club winners advance to the Inter-Club Final, and the National Champion Pair will represent India at the 2026 World Final in Sun City, South Africa.
The International Pairs, founded in 1998, is the world’s largest amateur pairs tournament, uniting 1.5M+ golfers from 50+ countries. The 2026 finale at Sun City Resort promises prestige, pride, and a stage like no other.
A minimum of 16 pairs must register for a club to be eligible to send a team to the National Inter-Club Pairs Finals. So round up your buddies and make sure your club gets a spot !
Entry Fee: Rs. 10,000 per pair to be paid on the RNSM online platform
16 pairs from each club.
Entry as pairs is compulsory. (Two men, two women, or mixed teams allowed.)
Both golfers need to be a member and have a verified handicap of the same golf club
All match scheduling and results will be managed through the Tournament App.
Format:
Fourball (Best Ball) Match Play
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- Each of the four players plays their own ball throughout the hole — so there are four balls in play.
- On each hole, the lower score of the two partners on a team becomes the team’s score for that hole.
- The team with the lower best-ball score wins the hole
Stage 1 – Double Elimination (Rounds 1 & 2)
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- All pairs start in the Championship Bracket.
- Losing pairs in Rounds 1 & 2 move to the Challenger Bracket.
Stage 2 – Knockout (From Round 3 onwards)
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- After Round 2, the event converts to a straight knockout format in both brackets
- Losing pairs after the first 2 rounds are eliminated
- The last team left undefeated in this stage is the winner
- This unique TWO-stage format ensures:
- Each pair plays at least two matches, giving you a second chance in case of an early loss.
The winning pair from each club will qualify to the National Inter-club Final in April in Delhi, NCR, proudly representing their club.
- Entry Fee: Rs. 10,000 per pair.
- Inclusions:
- Players get between 2 – 6 competitive matches at their Home club.
- Personalised caps with Inter Club Pairs logo
- Deadline for entries is 30th October, 2025
- Club Rounds: Start 15th November 2025 and end 25th March 2026
- In the event a golf club has fewer than 16 pairs registered, or if a pair remains on the waitlist without a playing spot, a full refund of the entry fee will be issued
Click Here To register
- 16 Pairs per club may enter on first-come, first-served basis at their home club.
- Players must enter the competition as a pair (two men, two women, or mixed team). Both players must be members of the same club. Individual entries not permitted.
- Maximum h’cap is 24. Minimum age is 18 years before the start of the competition.
- Each round must be completed in a 3 – week window.
- In case of cancellation/withdrawal of entry prior to Nov 1, 2025 participants will be entitled to a refund of the entry fee minus 15% processing fee. No refunds will be issued for withdrawals after 1st November 2025.
- All details pertaining to entered pairs, upcoming matches, opponents and results will be published on the app. Each pair must nominate a Team Captain, who will be responsible for:
- Receiving match notifications on the digital platform.
- Coordinating with the pair you are drawn against to agree on a match date/time.
- Ensuring scores are entered promptly and accurately.
- Only Gross scores must be entered on the digital platform. Players are advised to punch in their scores after each hole.
7. A live leaderboard will be maintained to ensure transparency.
8. Both Team Captains are responsible for contacting each other and finding a match date. (Ownness on bottom pair captain to contact the top pair to schedule the match)
- Each team must give a minimum of four date options to the opposing team to play the match during the two-week period allowed. The Four options should include
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- a weekend
- a weekday,
- a morning tee off time and
- an afternoon tee off time.
10. The four time slot options should be spread over a minimum span of 8 days.
- If both teams agree on the time and the date of a match, A change is only possible if both teams agree on the new date and it falls within the prescribed window for the match
- Failure to complete a match within the given period may result in a walkover at the discretion of the organizing committee.
- If one player from a registered pair is unable to play a scheduled match, a substitute (who meets all eligibility requirements) may take their place. The substitution must be communicated in advance to both the opponent pair and the Organizing Committee
- The Rules of Golf (R&A) and the current Local Rules of the host club shall govern play.
- Tee box – Men’s: Regular Tee| Seniors (Above 65): Forward Regular Tees| Women: Ladies tee. In the absence Forward Regular tees Seniors will also play from the Regular tee boxes (or otherwise specified by host club)
- Pace of play and etiquette must be maintained at all times.
- Caddie fees direct as per club guidelines.
- Carts allowed for all matches. Club Guidelines apply
- A referee will be identified for each participating club who will be available on mobile
phone over video calls for quick decisions in case of a dispute. - Any disputes or queries must be referred to the organizing committee via the digital platform. Committee decision will be Final and Binding.
- Sudden Death Playoff: In the event of a tie at the conclusion of the 18 holes, the match must be decided by a sudden death playoff. Both teams continue to play additional holes starting from the 1st or 10th hole until one team wins a hole. The first team to win a hole wins the match.
- Countback – If a sudden death playoff is unavailable due to constraints such as limited daylight, weather conditions, course closure, or the golf club’s restrictions, the next rule is to use Countback – (Winner over the Last 9,6,3,1 holes)
¾ handicap difference will be used to determine strokes given in each match
Each player must ensure that he plays to his official Club handicap. Handicaps entered online will be verified by the host clubs.
The Organizing Committee reserves the right to disqualify any team, with immediate effect, in cases of:
- Breach of the Code of Conduct.
- Manipulating or misstating a handicap to gain an unfair advantage.
- Deliberately breaching the Rules of Golf in a manner intended to secure a significant benefit, even if a penalty has been applied.
- Collusion between partners, including deliberately playing shots away from the hole to benefit the other player.
This policy exists to ensure fair play, protect the integrity of the competition, and prevent sandbagging.
Participant FAQ’S
REGISTRATION & ENTRY
- How do I enter the competition?
All registrations and payments must be completed through the RN Sports website. - How many pairs can each golf club enter, and is there a minimum requirement to qualify for the National Inter-Club Pairs Championship?
Each golf club may enter a maximum of 16 pairs. Only clubs fielding all 16 pairs will be eligible to participate in the National Inter-Club Pairs Championship. - What happens if a club receives more than 16 pair entries?
If a club exceeds the limit of 16 pairs, the additional pairs will be placed on a waitlist. Waitlisted pairs may get a chance to participate if there is a withdrawal before the tournament begins. - What happens if a club has fewer or more than 16 pairs registered?
In the event a club has more or fewer than 16 pairs, the full entry fee will be refunded to those pairs. - Can I enter the competition as an individual player?
No. Individual entries are not permitted. You must register as a pair. - Can players from different clubs form a pair?
No. Both players in a pair must be members of the same club. - What types of pairs are allowed?
Pairs can be:
• Two men
• Two women
• A mixed team (one man and one woman) - What is the age eligibility?
Players must be at least 18 years old before the start of the competition. - What is the handicap eligibility?
Maximum handicap allowed is 24. - Can I get a refund if I withdraw?
• Withdrawals before 1 November 2025: Refund minus 15% processing fee
• Withdrawals after 1 November 2025: No refund
MATCH SCHEDULING & COORDINATION
- How long do we have to complete a match?
Each match must be completed within a 3-week window. - Who is the Team Captain and what do they do?
Each pair must nominate a Team Captain, who will:
• Receive match notifications via the app
• Contact opponents to agree on a match date/time – Ownness on bottom pair to reach to top pair
• Enter scores accurately in the app. Players are encouraged to fill out scores on every hole. - How should we propose match dates?
Each team must provide at least four options, covering:
• One weekend
• One weekday
• One morning tee time
• One afternoon tee time
These four options should be spread over a minimum of 8 days within the round’s 3-week window. - Can we change the match date after it’s fixed?
Yes, but only if both teams agree and the new date falls within the official match window. - What happens if we cannot agree on a date?
If a match isn’t completed within the given period, the Organizing Committee may award a walkover. - What if one player cannot play a scheduled match?
A substitute (meeting all eligibility criteria) can replace them, but this must be communicated in advance to both the opponents and the Organizing Committee.
GAMEPLAY & SCORING
- Which tees will we play from?
• Men: Regular tees
• Seniors (65+): Forward Regular tees (or Regular tees if forward tees are unavailable)
• Women: Ladies tees - Are golf carts and caddies allowed?
Yes, as per the host club’s guidelines.
Caddie fees must be paid directly to the club. - How are scores entered?
Only Gross scores should be entered in the app. Players should punch in scores after each hole.
In case of no connectivity or a dead battery, players must carry a paper scorecard to record scores and enter them into the app after the round or once connectivity is restored. - What is Fourball (Best Ball) Match Play?
In Fourball Match Play, two teams of two players each compete against each other.
- Each of the four players plays their own ball throughout the hole — so there are four balls in play.
- On each hole, the lower score of the two partners on a team becomes the team’s score for that hole.
- The team with the lower best-ball score wins the hole.
- Will there be a live leaderboard?
Yes, the app will display a live leaderboard for transparency. - What pace of play is expected?
Players must maintain proper pace of play and etiquette at all times.
RULES, DISPUTES & PLAYOFFS
- Which rules govern play?
Matches are governed by the Rules of Golf (R&A) and the Local Rules of the host club. - What if there’s a dispute during a match?
Each club will have a referee available by phone or video call.
If unresolved, contact the Organizing Committee via the app — their decision is final and binding. - What happens in case of a tie after 18 holes?
• Matches go to a sudden-death playoff, starting from Hole 1 or 10 until one team wins a hole.
• If a playoff isn’t possible (due to daylight, weather, or course restrictions), the countback system will determine the winner based on the last 9, 6, 3, or 1 hole(s).
- Venue: ITC Classic Golf Resort, Gurgaon
- Date: April 2026
- Format: Total of the 18-hole individual Stableford Scores of the two players in the pair (Off 3/4 handicap).
- Inclusions for National Finalists:
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- Twin-sharing 5-star accommodation with breakfast ( 1 night )
- Official practice round with shared cart and private caddie followed by Welcome dinner and hotel transfer
- 18-hole tournament round with shared cart and private caddie
- Transfer from hotel to course on both days
- Uniform tee shirts with their club’s name
Note: Airfare and airport to hotel transfers, at player or club expense
- Winners of the National Final:
- Crowned India’s National Inter-Club Champion Pair.
- Earn the right to represent India & their club at the World Final in South Africa.
Format: Two rounds (36 holes), Better Ball Stableford.
- Divisions:
- Championship Division (Men & Mixed eligible)
- Women’s Pairs Division
- Mixed Pairs Division
- Inclusions for Winners:
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- Opportunity to represent India at the World Final
- Team uniforms & golf bag in national colours with home golf club logo
- Economy class airfare to the world finals destination
- 4 nights hotel stay at a 5- star hotel with breakfast
- One practice round and two competition rounds
- Welcome dinner and Flag Hoisting in National Dress
- Gala Awards night
- Interaction and photos with celebrities and Golf legends (former Ryder Cup players)