The 3rd International Congress on Golf and Health was held at the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh recently, and showcased golf’s extensive health and wellness advantages.
Research from Finland, Sweden, and Scotland was presented to demonstrate how golf provided a physical activity suitable for all ages, helped prevent and treat over 40 chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart attacks, depression and dementia, enhanced mental wellbeing, fostered social connections, promoted engagement with nature, and offered additional benefits beyond walking.
Scottish Government Sport Minister, Maree Todd said: “Regular physical activity and participation in sport is one of the best things you can do for physical, mental and social health. The Congress is a fantastic opportunity to share knowledge and experience, to celebrate what golf is accomplishing, and to understand barriers to participation and how we can work to remove them.”
Dr. Julia Kettinen, researcher and Golf Exercise Medicine Specialist, explained: “Our research highlights that golf can help people achieve the physical activity they need. Golf also kept senior golfers active during the pandemic and supported their quality of life. Even a single 18-hole round can offer significant cardiovascular and cognitive benefits, particularly for older adults, compared to regular walking. Globally, more and more people are playing golf—over 100 million now—which is great for both individuals and populations.”
Stephen Gallacher, four-time DP World Tour Winner and founder of the Stephen Gallacher Foundation, stated: “Our mission is to help and encourage golfers to live a healthy life and enjoy their golf. This scientific Congress coming to Scotland is great as it helps us understand the health benefits, hear about how golf is even being prescribed now in Scotland and further afield, and also look at supporting the mental health of players.
“I have had some incredible highs like winning in Dubai, India and Scotland, and being on the winning side at the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, but life in professional sport can be lonely and tough, so the work on mental health is so important”.
Despite strong evidence supporting golf’s mental health benefits, professional athletes faced significant challenges including performance pressure, extended separation from loved ones, and sometimes intense public scrutiny through media and social platforms.
Recognising these issues, the golf industry conducted player-focused research to develop mental health toolkits, emergency protocols, mind gyms, and specialist networks, collaborating with experts from tennis and Formula 1 who faced similar demanding travel schedules.
Dr. Phil Hopley, Consultant Psychiatrist at Cognacity and Mental Fitness Coach with McLaren F1 Team, noted: “There are so many mental and physical benefits to participating in sport, and we know how important the mind is to being at your best, be that on the Formula 1 track, playing in the Champions League, playing in a Major or just in life in general. Cognacity are delighted to be working with The R&A and the DP World Tour providing psychology and mental fitness support to players, caddies and Tour staff.”
