The Golf & Health Project

Good news. Golf is good for you.

Golfers tend to live longer, healthier and happier lives. We bring together the best research on why, look honestly at the risks too, and link to the source behind every claim.

GOLFERS

LIVE

5 YEARS LONGER

Farahmand, 2009

Where do you fit in?

I play golf

How much to play, why it does you good, and how to stay safe out there.

Start here →

I work in golf

Toolkits, infographics and briefings for PGAs, federations, clubs and coaches.

Get the toolkit →

I shape policy

Why golf belongs in public health and physical activity plans, with the evidence to back it.

Read the briefing →

I do research

The key papers, systematic reviews and the latest studies from around the world, in one place.

See the research →

The short version

What a round of golf does for you

Walking, swinging and spending time with friends add up. Turn the cards over to see what the research has found.

Live longer

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About 5 extra years

Regular golfers have been found to live around five years longer than people who don't play.

Farahmand, 2009

Healthy body

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40+ diseases

Golf is moderate-intensity activity, linked to a lower risk of more than 40 chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

Murray et al., 2016

Healthy mind

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A calmer head

Regular activity like golf is linked to a lower risk of anxiety, depression and dementia.

Murray et al., 2016

Social & wellbeing

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Better together

Golf is linked to more confidence, self-esteem and friendship, at any age and ability.

Murray et al., 2016

WE DON’T SKIP THE RISKS. Sun and injuries are the big two, so we share the latest evidence and advice on both.

Read about the risks →

Quick quiz

Fancy a quick test?

Regular golfers live longer than people who don't play. By how much?

Any age. Any ability. Any handicap.

Golf is one of the few sports you can play from childhood into your nineties, on your own or with friends, walking or in a buggy. The health benefits come along for the ride.

International Consensus on Golf & Health

The experts agree

In 2018, researchers, public health bodies and golf’s governing organisations sat down and agreed what we know about golf and health, and what players, clubs and governments can do to get more from the game. It was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.