A pioneering health initiative has been piloted in Fife with golf ‘prescribed’ for individuals to encourage a more active lifestyle.
The R&A and the University of St Andrews School of Medicine have collaborated with partner organizations to develop ‘Golf for Health’ – a pilot social prescribing project that aims to connect eligible primary care patients with appropriate golf activities in Fife. Researchers in the School have developed a model in partnership with The R&A, Fife Golf Trust, NHS Fife, Scottish Golf, PGA Scotland, the European Tour Group and Ladies European Tour to enable primary care professionals and community link workers to prescribe golf for eligible patients. Respected medical professional Dr Andrew Murray has also been involved.
Local clubs involved
With the region staging The 150th Open in St Andrews last July, the initiative has been rolled out over recent months by golf clubs through healthcare professionals to allow patients to experience the widespread physical, mental and social benefits that the sport offers.GP practices in Fife were invited to take part in the pilot study, with participating practices linked with initially four local golf clubs offering a six-to-eight week, free-of-charge programme. The clubs running the programme are Cluny Clays, Dunfermline, Dunnikier Park and Elmwood.Around 30 participants were involved last year with more programmes planned for this spring.Frank Sullivan, Professor of Primary Care Medicine and Medical School Director of Research at the University of St Andrews, leads a team of expert academics in the School of Medicine to support the activity.
Benefitting patients
“This pilot initiative has been carefully designed to offer an accessible and social introduction to golf and to provide long-term health and wellbeing benefits for patients across Fife,” said Sullivan.“Our focus on developing connection pathways that are acceptable and feasible to implement for all involved is crucial. The most effective intervention in the world will not achieve its intended outcomes if patients are not connected with it.” Linda Duncan, one of the participants at Cluny, said, “Golf has become something for me. It’s helped me get out in the fresh air and meet other people. The health benefits for me have been 10, 20, 30-fold.” The R&A has committed funding to the ‘Golf for Health’ project to support research at the University and the delivery of pilot golf packages by golf partners. The project has also been supported by founding partner ISPS Handa through their work with the University.
Actively promoting
Physical inactivity is associated with one in six deaths in the UK and costs the nation’s economy £7.4 billion per year. Inactivity levels in the UK increased during the Covid-19 pandemic, with participation in golf known to increase physical activity levels and improve physical and mental health and wellbeing. Once pilot testing of the model has taken place in Fife, the findings will be evaluated and assessed for the feasibility of a larger-scale roll-out across Scotland and the UK.Kevin Barker, Director of Golf Development – The R&A, added, “The R&A is actively promoting the health benefits of golf to encourage more people into the sport. We see social prescription as a great way for golf to contribute to the health of communities and to provide people with opportunities to enjoy playing the sport throughout their lifetime.” In recent years, The R&A has strived to communicate golf’s health benefits to a global audience and underline the role the sport plays in health and social well-being. Research has revealed that, on average, golfers live five years longer than non-golfers while golf, as a physical activity, can help prevent and treat 40 major chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart attacks, stroke, breast and colon cancer, depression and dementia. For more information on ‘Golf for Health’, please email eagle@st-andrews.ac.uk
The R&A has published a new golf and health report to help further educate existing golfers, non-golfers, golf bodies and policy makers in government and health on the physical and mental benefits of the sport.
Highlighting The R&A’s work and the endeavors of others in this sphere since 2016, the 28-page document provides a comprehensive overview of golf as a health-enhancing activity for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Through striking graphics, data and imagery, the report details the benefits by summarizing the scientific research, the public exposure and increased interest among national federations, policy makers and other organizations.
Case studies on health
Ten case studies highlight the impact of collective endeavors, spanning various countries and at leading professional events, with associated media coverage. The future of golf and health is also assessed as the sport seeks to build on the foundations set in recent years and continues to attract more golfers onto courses and into facilities around the world. Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “The scientific research clearly shows that there are significant physical and mental health benefits to be gained from playing golf. We believe that golf can provide a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to have fun, get fit and socialize with family and friends – something that is important to today’s society. “ We need to position golf as a leisure pursuit that can be accessed and enjoyed by everyone and encourage advocacy for the sport as a moderate intensity physical activity by government agencies, public health bodies and health professionals.”
Evidencing the benefits
An epidemic of physical inactivity-related disease in most of the world’s populations – physical inactivity is responsible for more than three million deaths worldwide – has led to the World Health Organization calling for action by sports. Since 2016, The R&A and its partners, including the World Golf Foundation (WGF), the United States Golf Association and the European Tour, have sought to: raise awareness of the health benefits of golf to encourage interest in participation by people of all ages and abilities; improve the sport’s image; and increase advocacy for golf by government agencies and public health bodies. The Golf & Health Project, supported by The R&A and the other WGF partners, was formed to achieve these aims by producing and publishing high quality science that evidences golf’s physical and mental health benefits. The R&A has played a key role in the Project by funding research undertaken by Dr Andrew Murray of the University of Edinburgh, who is the lead research scientist. The R&A has also directly supported other activity, including being the sole funder of a Strength and Balance Study and sponsoring the First International Congress on Golf and Health. Robust research, data and key findings have been regularly published in the world-leading international journal, the British Journal of Sports Medicine, to support the principle that golf can lead to greater health and wellness benefits for participants and spectators attending events.
BRAD HERE IS THE LINK:
The R&A Golf and Health Report (2016-20) can be viewed here.
