GMAQ - Golf Management Australia Queensland GMAQ Spring 2018 | Page 11

GMAQ NEWS
GOLF’S HIDDEN HEALTH
BENEFITS BROUGHT TO
LIGHT BY EXPERT PANEL
G
olf may not be the viewed
as the most physical of
pursuits, but there are still
many health benefits to reap
from 18 holes.
There’s long-standing evidence
that playing golf regularly is
associated with longevity and
can assist in reducing the risk
for heart disease/stroke. Now
researchers and policy-makers
are attempting to spread the
word of the many other health
pros to golfers, as well as non-
golfers, to promote the gains of
the game.
Ryder Cup, the biennial golf
tournament between Europe
and the US, has brought about a
new consensus among experts
aiming to assist experienced and
novel golfers to take advantage
of the proven health benefits of
the sport.
25 public health experts and
industry leaders participated
in the discussions on health
related benefits, following
systematics reviews of 342
published studies of the subject,
considering the factors that
may help or hinder take-up of
the sport. Following a plethora
of new-founded initiatives
launched worldwide, the
statement also sets out to guide
policy-
makers and
industry
leaders
on how
to make
golf more
inclusive
and
accessible
for all.
According to the report,
evidence shows that golf,
compared with other sports, is
a low to moderate-risk sport in
relation to injuries. Golf has also
been proven to improve mental
health as it is sociable and gets
people outdoors, connecting
with nature.
And it’s not only playing the
game that has been proven
beneficial from a health
prospective. According to a
study published last year of
spectators at Paul Lawrie Match
Play event at Archerfield Links,
East Lothian, merely following
from the sideline has significant
benefits as well, resulting in an
averaged of about 11,500 steps
per day.
However, according to the
consensus, the sport’s often-
perceived image of a male
dominant and exclusive activity
is hampering its participation
rate.
“The sport needs to be more
inclusive and welcoming of
people from all walks of life
and ethnic backgrounds, and
any such initiatives should be
supported,” the stamen reads.
“More people might be keen
to take it up if golf were
promoted as an enjoyable,
lifelong outdoors activity that
affords a sense of community
and competitive challenge
while providing some ‘me time’
as well as helping to fulfill
recommended exercise quotas,”
“And the sport can do its bit
for sustainability by “practices
that prioritise diversity, healthy
societies, connection with,
and care of, the environment,
environmental integrity and
health and wellbeing.”
SPRING 2018
I GMAQ
  11