Hu Zhigang was born in Shanghai, he began his football career in 1959, the year Hu Zhigang joined Shanghai Youth Football team. In 1965, Hu Zhigang was selected to the senior Shanghai football team and represented Shanghai win the runners up of 1965 National Games of China. in the same year, Hu Zhigang was called up to China national football team. Hu Zhigang played for China in the 1976 AFC Asian Cup. Hu Zhigang retired in 1976.