GMAQ - Golf Management Australia Queensland Spring 2017 | Page 8

GMAQ NEWS
GOLF SPECTATING COULD BENEFIT
HEALTH, NEW STUDY SHOWS
T
he University of Edinburgh in conjunction
with the Golf & Health Project have
released new research into the health
benefits of golf spectating, showing those
who attend golf events could potentially gain
benefits similar to those playing in them.
• Spectators averaged 11,589 steps per day,
with 82.9% achieving their recommended
target
• Study is the first to assess spectator physical
activity while watching golf
• Spectators rated ‘getting exercise’ as highly
as ‘seeing their favourite sporting heroes’ at
events
The study, released at the beginning of the
RICOH Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns Golf
Links, Scotland, is the first to assess spectator
physical activity while watching golf, showing
that of the 339 spectators surveyed, 82.9%
met the recommended daily step-count levels
achieving on average 11,589 steps.
Conducted at the European Tour’s 2016 Paul
Lawrie Match Play, the study suggests that
golf spectating can provide health enhancing
physical activity; whilst also allowing spectators
to spend time in green space, socialise with
friends and family, and watch their sporting
heroes compete in real life.
Surveyed spectators rated obtaining exercise/
physical activity as an important reason for
attending golf events, equal to their rating
of seeing star players, being part of the
‘atmosphere’ around an event, and getting fresh
air. 60% also said they would like to be more
physically active after the tournament.
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These benefits and reasons for attending events
could have benefits for event promoters in
terms of engagement with spectators, local
communities and funding organisations,
along with wider public health implications in
encouraging people to be more active more
often.
The studies, published in the British Journal
of Sports Medicine, and BMJ Open Sports
and Exercise Medicine are part of the Golf &
Health Project, which is led by the World Golf
Foundation. The initiative aims to increase the
understanding of golf in health and wellbeing.