Feeding off of rule book for the love of golf

Bengaluru: Early this year, a player’s tee shot landed in a fairway bunker on the eighth hole of the Hyderabad Golf Club and Krishaa Nichani found herself in a spot. This was during an Indian Golf Union’s (IGU) men’s amateur event. 

The ball resting in the bunker was surrounded by red ants which prompted the golfer to use the ‘Dangerous Animal Condition’ Rule 16.2a which states: “This exists when a dangerous animal (such as a poisonous snake, stinging bees, alligators, fire ants or bears) near your ball could cause serious physical injury to the player if you had to play the ball as it lies.” 

This is followed by Rule 16.2b which allows a player, facing such a scenario, to take a free relief. However, Krishaa, who was the referee at the spot, denied the golfer from making use of the said rule.  

“They were about 6-7 tiny red ants,” says the 19-year-old Krishaa. 

“And the rule clearly mentions that a relief can be given for fire ants - which are much bigger in size. The golfer, much older than me, got a bit aggressive, called for a second opinion and reasoned ‘I have a cut on my leg and what if the ants bite me?’ But I stood my ground,” she recalls.

The calm confidence Krishaa displayed in handling a tense situation, that often gets hostile, stood out. It's this conviction that also helped the Bengaluru teen to become the youngest (Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar) TARS-qualified Rules Official in India by passing the R&A Level 3 exam a few months ago.

“That particular ruling gave me so much confidence. Though the player tried everything to question my decision, I stuck by it because I knew the rules well.”  

For Krishaa, who started playing golf at the age of 13 and a regular at the IGU circuit, it was her curiosity to learn the nuances of the sport at a deeper level that fueled her interest to take up refereeing. After clearing the Level 1 and Level 2 certifications in 2024, she wasted little time in passing the Level 3 exam that required her to complete 120 hours of practical refereeing. 

The official print version of the golf rule book, published by the R&A and the USGA, with every detail chalked down to the tee is considered more intimidating than a golf course. The feeling of reading through the several pages wasn’t too different for Krishaa either. 

“I'm not at all a book person. I was scared to read the book as well. But the app made it easy,” she claims. 

The Level 3 certification has now opened multiple doors for Krishaa. When she isn’t travelling for tournaments to compete, the youngster is hopping across the country to officiate at golf events. 

“I enjoy doing both equally. Being a referee helps me become a better golfer for sure. From the course markings and tee box placements to the pin positions and all of their complexities help me understand the game better. I enjoy it,” offers Krishaa. 

The aim is to officiate on the high-end international tours such as the Aisan Tour, DP World Tour and maybe the LPGA and PGA someday, she says. But for now, refereeing along with being a player is only helping Krishaa to spend more time with the sport she is in love with.