Why Golfers Live Longer: The Science Behind How Sport Improves Health
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The R&A’s campaigns promoting golf’s overall health benefits could be a key driver of golf’s growth around the world over the next few years.
Most of us who play golf know and appreciate some, if not all, of the health benefits of the game we love. It’s one of the best activities for improving physical and mental health, and perhaps many don’t realize it can extend life expectancy.The R&A’s 2020 Golf and Health Report found that A scientific study conducted showed that golfers live an average of five years longer than non-golfers.
Overall, the report (see the bottom of this article) shows that golf is actually good for you through several in-depth scientific studies that focus on different aspects of physical and mental health. I’m here. After demonstrating the sport’s health benefits, The R&A wanted to know if the results would be of interest to people inside and outside of golf. Naturally, they were.
The R&A’s Phil Anderton said: “We gave them information that has been positively proven by doctors and other medical scientists that golf is good for their health. Have you changed your mind about wanting to play or would you like to start again?” The results were outstanding. For example, in the UK, among those currently playing golf, he was 51% willing to play more after learning more about the sport’s overall health benefits. ”
Studies have shown that 50% of people who say they play golf on a course around the world do so only once every three months.
“This is an opportunity to get people out there with information that could change that statistic,” says Anderton. It’s about changing the mindset of “If you want to be healthy, it’s a lot of work” to “Why aren’t you playing more golf as a fun way to get health benefits?” If you can play once a month, even once a week.”
That would obviously be a big boost for golf. More golf is played, more green fees, more balls and gloves sold, more money spent in clubhouses…
39% of retired golfers say they want to come back when they are fully aware of the health benefits. He said 15% of non-golfers would like to try golf after hearing the benefits, and 81% of those who play off-course said they would like to move to a suitable course.
“In reality, we know that just because you say you’re going to do something doesn’t mean you’ll actually do it,” said former Procter & Gamble and Coca-Cola Company employees. says Anderton, who was Scottish Rugby He is Union and CEO of the Heart of Midlothian Football Club. “No, 50% of people aren’t going to suddenly play golf, but I’ve done a lot of this type of research and would be happy to come up with a suggestive 10% number. But If you get 50 percent or 80 percent numbers, you know you’re on your way to a winner.”
spread the word
(Image credit: Getty Images)
It’s a great opportunity, but how do you make the most of it? The next step is getting your message across to a wider audience. It provides federations around the world with not only information about health benefits, but also the tools to get that message out to the public.
The R&A hired an international marketing agency called Matta, who previously worked for ATP Tennis and IRB Rugby, to promote the science of golf’s health benefits in a way that appeals to current and prospective golfers at home and abroad. was tasked with providing
That, and the way the R&A came up with it, is to do this via short animations featuring three fictional characters that highlight the most important elements of golf’s health benefits. These are strength and conditioning, mental health and fitness (by improving step count and heart health). The overall message is “golf is good for you”.
(Image credit: Wales Golf)
“When you talk to people about health, you don’t get a positive response by pointing the finger at them. It’s a ‘must do’ approach,” says Anderton. “It sounds like pain and hard work, so they’ll put up blocks. The way it tries to convey a message about health is to end with fun, and that’s what this animation accomplishes.” It’s what I feel.”
The pilot campaign was first run in Wales and involved R&A ambassador Gareth Bale for extensive publicity. There’s even an animation featuring this Wales representative, explaining why “golf is good for Gareth”. Further research will be conducted at the end of the campaign to see what impact golf had and whether the health benefits prompted more people to consider golf.
“We are very hopeful and confident that it will have a positive impact,” says Anderton. “Then we will roll that research out internationally. These are the results. ”
doctor’s orders
(Image credit: Wales Golf)
Other means of spreading the word include the Iona Investigates video series, in which Iona Stephen shows sports stars such as soccer player Jason McAteer and former England cricketer James Taylor, and the physical and mental health benefits gained from golf. Talk about mental health benefits. Taylor’s promising cricket career was cut short in 2016, when he was just 26, by a heart condition that would change his life. It was a devastating blow, but golf helped him recover.
“Having to retire when I was at the top of my game was incredibly painful. It changed my life forever,” says Taylor. “The doctor at the hospital told me that I could not exercise like I used to, but I could still play golf. It gave me purpose, a technical challenge, mental stimulation and exercise to give me a competitive edge.”
The 2nd International Conference on Golf and Health also recently took place in Edinburgh, highlighting the health benefits of sport for golfers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.
Medical advice is another avenue the R&A is exploring to promote health and golf. We are planning a pilot project in Fife with a focus on golf prescriptions.
“Instead of simply telling you to exercise more, you want doctors to say, ‘Why aren’t you golfing?'” says Anderton. “We’re going to have a program where doctors can say, ‘You can go to this golf club and I’ll teach you the sport.'” may be a suitable prescription. ”
A key component of the health campaign is communicating the benefits of golf to governments around the world.
“We want governments to see golf as a good way to address health crises like obesity and mental health that are happening in many countries,” says Anderton. “When you look at certain countries, there’s a trend of ‘Should I go cycling or should I go for a walk?’ mosquito?”
The R&A is also conducting a pilot in Japan in collaboration with a government PR agency. They are working to get decision makers informed and involved in new campaigns.
With a focused effort from multiple angles, Anderton believes The R&A’s initiatives will pay off and encourage people around the world to turn to golf as a holistic health solution.
“Over the next five years, I think we will start repeating the message over and over again that golf is not just a fun sport, it is a competitive sport, it is a sport that you can build for a lifetime. Not only are they nurturing and enjoying the outdoors, but while they are having fun, they are doing a lot of good things for themselves.”
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The R&A’s 2020 Golf and Health Report
In 2020, The R&A will publish a report on golf and health that presents the results of four years of extensive and in-depth research by scientists and medical professionals. This report gave scientific and statistical backing to the statement that golf is good for you.
Dr. Roger Hawkes, Physician in Sports and Exercise and former Chief Medical Officer of the European Tour and Ryder Cup Europe, was involved, and Dr. Andrew Murray of the University of Edinburgh was the Principal Investigator.
One key finding that stands out is that golfers live longer. A groundbreaking study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports found that his 300,000 member mortality rate in the Swedish Golf Federation was 40% lower than his. , all ages and all socioeconomic groups).
The study also showed that golf helps prevent and treat 40 major chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart attack, stroke, breast cancer, colon cancer, depression and dementia. Other studies have highlighted that risk factors for heart disease and stroke, such as cholesterol and blood pressure, are reduced in golfing populations.
Additionally, golf has been found to be very beneficial for improving strength and balance. Helps prevent injury and rehabilitate from injury. Also, as a social outdoor activity, it plays an important role in improving mental health.
The Golf and Health Report is available for download from The R&A website.
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