The Pivotal Role Golf Plays in Mental Health

As 2020 presented an ever changing landscape, the importance of finding moments of escapism and refuge became more important than ever.

With this, many of us turned to sports and outdoor recreation as a means to reset. But with restrictions, 88% of golfers said Covid-19 prevented them from playing golf last year.

So, following Movember and International Men’s Day, we conducted a survey to look at the pivotal role golf plays in mental health, and the important role it will continue to play in 2021.

Overall, this survey was able to provide several key insights, pointing to the importance of golf in people’s lives. For one, 81% said that they relied on playing golf in 2020 in order to see friends and family, while 98% said that golf helped them relieve stress and improve their mental health.

Further insights revealed:

• 92% responded that golf allows them to meet new people
• And 69% said that it is important for them to spend time after a round of golf in the bar and/or clubhouse

When individuals were asked why they choose to play golf, 35% said it was to improve their overall well being.

Sean Gay, Founder of Sober Golfers Society, a society connecting like minded-people who no longer drink through golf days, golf tours and tournaments, comments: “Golf is the most powerful therapy for men and women to talk about problems in an open and friendly setting. You can’t beat walking for 4 hours in nature, having a laugh, playing golf with fellow club members and just having a release from that exhausting week at work. It’s been huge in my sobriety as I really enjoy my time on the course with no hangovers or chaos going on in the background in my life.”