Geeta Pandey BBC correspondent in Delhi

The Indian capital, Delhi, has been hosting a golf tournament for women in a sign that more of them are taking up a sport which hasn't traditionally attracted them.

Around 100 golfers, mostly from India, but a few from the neighbouring countries, took part in the Ladies All India Amateur Golf Championship.

If you want to pursue golf seriously, you either have to go to the US or Europe Woman golfer

But India's aspiring female golfers still face many hurdles before they can compete with their counterparts in the West.

Public vs private

Shobhi Saigal is a recent convert to golf, one of a growing number of middle-class women interested in a sport previously the exclusive preserve of the rich and famous.

Most women golfers think it is not a viable career

"I've been playing for six weeks now," she said, explaining that a friend had introduced her to the game.

"Now I love it; it's marvellous."

She plays regularly at the course that overlooks the historical monument of Qutub Minar in south Delhi.

It is a golf facility run by the Delhi government that opened about three years ago.

This is the place where the not-so-privileged come to try their hand at the sport.

At the other end of the scale is the private Delhi Golf Club, which I visited on a warm, sunny day.

Walking through the sprawling plush green lawns, I came to the practice range.

A group of people were practising, among them Mayali Talwar, the top junior golfer in India.

Addicted

She was the only woman in a crowd of men.

Traditionally golf is not a cheap sport worldwide. One needs a lot of time and the equipment is expensive Nonita Lal Qureishi

Mayali said she was addicted and could not imagine giving it up.

"My whole family's in golf... Actually my father was the national champion, so it was natural for me to take up the game."

The Delhi Golf Club is as sophisticated as it gets.

Men in smart suits and women in diamonds and pashminas sit around on the veranda overlooking the 27-hole course, sipping tea and coffee from fine china cups.

But most of the women members think golf is not a viable career option for women.

Nonita Lal Qureishi says more should be done to popularise golf

One woman golfer said: "There's no professional circuit for women in India. There are a few [competitions] in Asia, but if you want to pursue golf seriously, you either have to go to the US or Europe."

The only woman in India who has made golfing into a successful career is Nonita Lal Qureishi.

Six-time national winner, Nonita makes a living by coaching aspiring golfers.

She is in great demand and if you want an appointment with her, you are asked to call back in a month's time.

Expensive

Nonita said the government could do a lot more to make golf widely available.

"Traditionally, golf is not a cheap sport worldwide. One needs a lot of time and the equipment is expensive," she said.

"Here, golf has been termed an elitist sport. But now there is a very good public golf course, which has made it more accessible to people."

At the public course, there are no expensive membership fees - anyone can "pay and play".

Equipment hire costs 75 rupees, less than $2, for half an hour.

But buying a full golf kit will set you back $400 - not an easy investment for women who want to pursue the sport on a professional level.

India may have to wait some time before its women golfers successfully grace the international tour.