THE R&A
The R&A has published a new edition of its golf and health report to further educate existing golfers, non-golfers, national federations and policy makers in government on the physical, social and mental benefits of the sport.
Following the recent launch of the R&A’s new five-year strategy with the purpose of ‘Opening Golf to the World’, the report showcases golf’s transformational impact on individuals and communities worldwide through documenting its health, wellbeing and social benefits.
It provides a comprehensive overview of golf as a health-enhancing activity for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds by highlighting the work of The R&A, national federations and the wider golf industry since 2021. It follows the publication of The R&A’s first golf and health report (2016-2020) in October 2020.
Through striking graphics, data and imagery, the new report details the health benefits by summarising the scientific research, the public exposure and increased interest among national federations, policy makers and other organisations. Ten case studies highlight the impact of collective endeavours and provide key learnings, spanning various work across the world.
The report also highlights the R&A is piloting a study to evaluate the health, wellbeing and economic impacts of golf participation across target countries to understand more about the full extent of golf’s positive impact on society. The R&A is committed to delivering over £25 billion in social value over the next five years in partnership with national federations.
“The health benefits of playing golf are a key selling point for the sport, educating golfers and encouraging new people into golf, as well as providing compelling evidence to policy makers.”
Mark Darbon
Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of the R&A, said, “As our new report highlights, it is amazing how much progress has been made over the last decade to evidence the positive impact golf can have on people’s lives.
“The health benefits of playing golf are a key selling point for the sport, educating golfers and encouraging new people into golf, as well as providing compelling evidence to policy makers. According to research, on average golfers live five years longer than non-golfers to illustrate the significant impact the sport has on life expectancy.
“The success of our new strategy depends on working collaboratively with our national federation partners to continue the momentum we have seen in participation growth. We can achieve this through promoting golf’s health benefits widely and encouraging more people to play and engage with the sport more frequently worldwide.”
The R&A has played a key role by funding research undertaken by Dr Andrew Murray of the University of Edinburgh, who advises across the golf industry and various governments. Robust research, data and key findings have been regularly published in world-leading international journals to support the principle that golf can lead to greater health and wellness benefits for participants and spectators attending events. As a result, golf can help reduce health costs and can add value to health systems.
The R&A Golf and Health Report (2021-25) can be viewed here.
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