PGI Strengthens the Development System, Prepares Indonesian Golfers to Compete at the World Level.

Jakarta – The Central Board of the Indonesian Golf Association (PB PGI) has begun transforming its athlete development system by integrating high-performance coaching, implementing Sports Science, and utilising technology as a strategy to produce Indonesian Golfers capable of competing at international level.

This transformation was presented by Adi Saksono, PB PGI's Head of Tournaments and Performance, on the Itsme Podcast alongside hosts Syafira and Yatna at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club, Jakarta, on 20 April 2026.

Adi explained that under the leadership of PB PGI General Chairman KPH Japto S. Soerjosoemarno, tournament operations, high performance development, golf equipment advancement and technology functions are now integrated into a single unified system. This step is taken to make athlete development programmes more targeted, effective and manageable, in order to meet the demands of modern competitive golf.

Alongside this transformation, PB PGI has started implementing a Sports Science approach using information technology and digital systems to support athlete growth. This evidence-based approach is expected to improve the quality of coaching while strengthening the international competitiveness of Indonesian Golfers.

At the same time, elite golf development still faces major funding challenges. Golf is a sport with very high operational costs, ranging from training at internationally standardised courses to participation in professional tournaments. For this reason, PB PGI hopes that more national corporations will provide support for athlete development programmes, rather than only sponsoring recreational or casual golf activities.

When discussing athlete development, Adi compared the coaching pipeline to a pyramid: the higher the competitive level, the fewer athletes will progress through the ranks. For this reason, technical skill alone is not sufficient. Competitive mentality, ethics, discipline, on-course conduct, and ability to perform under pressure are all defining factors for a Golfer's success.

According to Adi, the technical ability of Indonesian Golfers is already on par with athletes from other countries. However, many players experience drops in performance during the final rounds of tournaments due to competitive pressure. To address this, PB PGI has begun providing dedicated Sports psychology support and assembling specialist coaching teams for the national squad.

Development also starts from early childhood. Children under 8 years old are encouraged to try a variety of sports to build their motor skills, while children aged 8 to 12 are gradually guided towards specific sports. For golf, building correct muscle memory through consistent proper technical repetition is established as the core foundation for athlete progression.

The development programmes are already showing positive results. Adi stated that there are currently over 50 Indonesian male and female golfers listed on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR). A number of junior athletes have also been awarded full scholarships to universities across the United States thanks to their competitive achievements and global rankings.

To sustain the athlete regeneration pipeline, PB PGI organises junior competitive events across approximately 49 out of 52 weeks each year. Adi also expressed appreciation for the Junior Golf Service (JGS), which provides tournament opportunities abroad for national champions to build competitive mental fortitude -- ensuring they do not only perform well at home, but are also ready to compete on the world stage.

With an increasingly integrated development system, a near year-round competition calendar, and the growing number of Indonesian golfers listed in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and awarded international scholarships, PB PGI is confident that the national athlete regeneration pipeline will grow stronger, and will continue to raise Indonesia's competitive standing at global level.