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Objective To assess the relationships between golf and health. Design Scoping review. Data sources Published and unpublished reports of any age or language, identified by searching electronic databases, platforms, reference lists, websites and from consulting experts. Review methods A 3-step search strategy identified relevant published primary and...
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Citations
... Golf is a sporting activity that has become popular among people of all age groups 1,2 . Accessibility to this sport is much easier than in the past, with nearly 40,000 golf courses available worldwide 3 . ...
... In classifying the different types of golfers, the United States Golf Association considers individuals aged more than 50 years as senior golfers and recreational or amateur golfers are defined by an average individual golf score of over 72 per round or a golf handicap greater than zero 5 . Golf has been reported to provide appropriate physical activity levels, social interaction, and potential health benefits in improving musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health 2,7 . However, injuries can still occur due to factors like inappropriate playing and practicing techniques 8,9 . ...
Objective: This study aimed to cross-culturally adapt and evaluate the content validity and test-retest reliability of the Thai version of the University of Western Ontario Questionnaire for musculoskeletal conditions in senior golfers. Material and Methods: The questionnaire was translated into Thai following established cross-cultural adaptation guidelines. A cognitive review with 10 senior golfers was conducted to assess content validity, focusing on the relevance, clarity, and comprehensibility of the items. Test-retest reliability was evaluated twice over a 2-week interval in 100 senior golfers. Additionally, data on playing characteristics and golf-related injuries were collected and analyzed. Results: Cognitive review indicated that participants found the questions relevant and easy to understand, contributing to the content validity of the questionnaire. The questionnaire items showed high test-retest reliability, with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.87 to 1.00 for continuous data, and moderate to high reliability, with Kappa values ranging from 0.45 to 0.96 for dichotomous data. Thirty percent of Thai senior golfers reported golf-related musculoskeletal injuries, and 45% experienced low back pain after a round of golf. For continuous data, the standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change values were calculated to quantify the precision and smallest detectable change in the items related to golf activity, warm-up, and exercise habits. Conclusion: The Thai version of the questionnaire has demonstrated adequate validity and reliability for assessing musculoskeletal conditions in senior golfers. Insights from playing characteristics and injury data can aid health professionals in developing targeted injury prevention strategies.
... As a competitive characteristic, golf is reported to be a low-to moderateintensity physical activity (4). However, the golf swing requires high speed, full range of motion (ROM), and strains the entire musculoskeletal system (10,29). Furthermore, playing time is up to 4 hours, longer than in most other sports (34), and the mental strain is known to be significant (9,41). ...
Hamada, Y, Akasaka, K, Otsudo, T, Sawada, Y, Hattori, H, Kikuchi, Y, and Hall, T. Golfers' performance is improved more by combining foam rolling and dynamic stretch to the lead hip than practice golf swinging. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2024—Warming up is considered effective in improving performance and preventing injury. Despite this, there have been few studies investigating warm-up programs in golf and whether specific factors contribute to improved performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate effects of combined foam rolling and dynamic stretch (FR + DS) to the lead hip on golf swing performance, hip range of motion (ROM), and muscle strength in amateur golfers using a randomized crossover design. The study sample comprised 22 men (mean ± SD ; age, 32.6 ± 8.5 years, body mass index (BMI), 23.4 ± 2.7 kg·m ⁻² ). Subjects were assigned to receive either FR + DS or repetitive golf swing practice (SW) before crossing over to the other intervention for another day. Measurements included golf swing performance (ball speed, club head speed, flight distance [“carry”], spin rate, and launch angle), hip internal rotation (IR), and external rotation (ER) ROM, as well as hip IR and ER muscle strength. Comparisons between groups were made before and after each intervention. For golf swing performance, FR + DS improved “carry” significantly more than SW ( p < 0.05). No significant differences in golf swing performance other than “carry” were found. In addition, IR ROM and IR muscle strength of the lead hip were significantly increased in the FR + DS group ( p < 0.05). FR + DS has effects on improving lead hip IR ROM and IR muscle strength, which may facilitate golfers' swing and “carry.” FR + DS shows promise as a warm-up method for amateur golfers who want to improve golf performance.
... BDNF slightly decreased in all groups (golf: -6.11 ± 7.35 ng/mL, Nordic walking: -2.56 ± 7.56 ng/mL, walking: -2.31 ± 7.29 ng/mL), but we did not observe a significant change in BDNF levels after the exercise session The mean CTSB changes pre-and post-exercise are presented in Table 5. CTSB values increased slightly in all groups (golf: 3.0 ± 4.0 ng/mL, Nordic walking: 2.55 ± 3.07ng/mL, walking: 3.59 ± 3.82ng/mL), but we did not Considering their work-life situations, older adults may have more time to enjoy playing golf compared to younger players, which could contribute to higher round activity values during the playing season. According to the results of this study, over 90% of participants experienced the beneficial health effects of golf (65,105,106,114,190) by playing regularly at least once a week during the summer season. Previous researchers have demonstrated that using a non-electronic (push or pull) cart during the round increases the intensity of playing compared to driving a golf buggy(106). ...
... It is noteworthy that golf had a significant protective relationship with all four sociopsychological health indicators in older men. According to a comprehensive review (24), although playing golf could provide moderate intensity physical activity and was associated with physical health benefits (e.g., improving cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic profiles), the evidence related to golf and mental health/wellness was still limited. Meanwhile, in a cross-sectional study conducted before this study, older men who participated in a golf group had less depressive symptoms, better self-rated health, and a higher frequency of laughter than those who did not participate (5). ...
... The consistent results of the cross-sectional study and this longitudinal study may provide evidence to recommend golf as a program for improving sociopsychological health in older men. A possible reason for such preferable results was that golf is thought to be a sport type with many intergenerational interactions and opportunities to rebuild social connections and confidence (24). Qualitative research suggests that sunshine, fresh air, and kinesthetic pleasure could contribute to mental wellness benefits related to golf (25). ...
... Qualitative research suggests that sunshine, fresh air, and kinesthetic pleasure could contribute to mental wellness benefits related to golf (25). Furthermore, we cannot ignore the physical activity, as players walk more than 10,000 steps if they play 18 holes without using a cart (24). We found that walking and hiking group participation was associated with preventing depressive symptoms and maintaining self-rated health in older men and women. ...
Purpose:
This study aimed to identify the association between a specific sports type and exercise group participation and longitudinal changes in sociopsychological health among community-dwelling older adults.
Methods:
Three years of data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study were used, comprising a total of 33,746 men and 36,799 women aged ≥65 years. To determine the relationship between 20 types of sports and exercise group participation in 2016 (baseline) and changes in depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale: GDS-15), self-rated health (4-point scale), subjective well-being (11-point scale), and frequency of laughter (day/month) from 2016 to 2019, we performed linear regression analyses with conducting a multivariate adjustment for potential confounders using an inverse probability weighting method.
Results:
The mean changes over three years were + 0.32 and + 0.28 in GDS-15, -0.06 and - 0.05 in self-rated health, -0.08 and - 0.06 in subjective well-being, and - 1.21 and - 1.19 in frequency of laughter, in men and women, respectively. Men playing golf in a group were more likely to suppress an increase in the GDS-15 (B = -0.11, 95% CI -0.18--0.05) and decreases in self-rated health (0.04, 0.02-0.06), subjective well-being (0.07, 0.02-0.12), and frequency of laughter (0.45, 0.11-0.80). Women participating in walking, weight exercises, and hiking groups were more likely to prevent an increase in the GDS-15 (-0.12, -0.19--0.04; -0.09, -0.18--0.01; and - 0.16, -0.30--0.03, respectively) and decreases in self-rated health (0.03, 0.01-0.05; 0.03, 0.01-0.06; and 0.08, 0.04-0.12, respectively).
Conclusions:
Golf in older men and walking, weight exercises, and hiking in older women could be recommended as an effective program for promoting sociopsychological health among older adults in Japan.
The aim of the study was to provide an understanding of current practices and perceptions of strength and conditioning (S&C) training in female touring professionals. A cross-sectional, explorative survey was undertaken and contained 30 questions separated into four sections: (i) general participant information, (ii) S&C practices, (iii) Likert scale questions on S&C for golf performance, and (iv) knowledge and awareness of S&C. A total of 102 players completed the survey with a combination of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), open-ended questions, and Likert scale style questions utilised throughout. Results showed that ≥94% of players believed that strength and power in both the lower and upper body, in addition to flexibility, were the most important physical characteristics to complement golf shot metrics (e.g. clubhead speed [CHS], ball speed, carry distance, etc.). However, 26% of players conducted S&C training only in the off-season, with 21% suggesting that they had a fear of injury from S&C training. When considering the barriers to undertaking S&C training, the most common reasons included time constraints (20%) and players wanting to prioritise golf practice (15%). Finally, 58% of players believed that training in the weight room should replicate the golf swing. Although it is positive to see that the main physical characteristics for golf are well-understood by professional players, it is also evident that further education and knowledge translation is required relating to the application of S&C training for performance enhancement and injury risk mitigation purposes.
Objectives
Golf has been associated with abnormal loading conditions to the knee joint due to the repetitiveness and biomechanical requirements of the golf swing. This study seeks to evaluate the prevalence and factors attributing to symptomatic knee osteoarthritis among professional golfers in Kenya.
Materials and Methods
Participants included all professional golfers in Kenya above 18 years. Golfer’s demographics and golf-related characteristics were recorded and both knee’s function assessed using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Participants with a KOOS <85% in two or more parameters underwent bilateral plain knee radiographic assessment and graded according to the Kellgren and Lawrence (K&L) classification.
Results
Fifty participants were recruited. All male, only two were left handed, median age was 41 years (34–49). More than half were found to have a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 25 kg/m ² . The average duration of active golf participation was 16.5 years (SD = 4.2). Eighteen out of 100 knees scored <85% in two parameters of the KOOS. According to the K&L, 72% had Grade 2 and above. Duration of active golf involvement (OR – 1.114) and BMI above 25 kg/m ² (OR – 1.107) were found to be positively associated with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis although not statistically significant ( P = 0.289 and 0.3481).
Conclusion
Golf presents a prevalence of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis of 18% comparable to high-impact sports. The associated factors include BMI >25 kg/m ² and longer duration of active golf participation although both not statistically significant.
In the present study, we aimed to explore the effects of sleep restriction (SR) on self-reported golf putting skills. Eleven collegiate golfers participated in a self-reported, counterbalanced experimental study under two conditions: (a) a SR condition in which sleep on the night prior to putting was restricted to 4–5 hours, and (b) a habitual normal sleep (NS) condition on the night before the putting test. Following each sleep condition, participants engaged in ten consecutive putting tests at 7 am, 11 am, and 3 pm. Participants reported their subjective sleepiness before each time frame, and their chronotype, defined as their individual circadian preference, was scored based on a morningness–eveningness questionnaire (MEQ). Participants restricted sleep to an average period of 267.6 minutes/night (SD = 51.2) in the SR condition and 426.2 (SD =38.0) minutes/night in the NS condition. A two-way analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect of the sleep condition on the lateral displacement of putts from the target (lateral misalignment) (p = 0.002). In addition, there was a significant main effect of time on distance from the target (distance misalignment) (p = 0.017), indicating less accuracy of putting in the SR condition. In the SR condition, the MEQ score was positively correlated with distance misalignment at 3 pm (ρ = 0.650, p = 0.030), suggesting that morningness types are susceptible to the effects of SR on putting performance. Our findings suggest that golfers should obtain sufficient sleep to optimize putting performance.
This paper examines the extent to which attending major sporting events leads to subsequent changes in the sport participation behaviour of spectators. The research covered seven single-sport events of World or European level held in the UK in 2014 and was concerned with spectators (aged 16 and over) who attended one of these events. Baseline data was gathered from a sample of spectators at each event using a face-to-face survey. Follow-up data was captured using an online survey at least nine months post-event. Our analysis is based on 258 people for whom both baseline and follow-up data were available (matched pairs). Using the Transtheoretical Model (TTM), the evidence from this research points to a small (net) positive staged change in sport participation among the sample overall. Variations in the nature and scale of changes associated with events featuring different sports were observed. Progression between the TTM stages was evident for individuals who were previously in the pre-preparation, preparation and action stages. The likelihood of progression appears to be strongest where prior contemplation for behaviour change was prevalent. Event attendance emerged as an important contributor for moving individuals along the TTM continuum, alongside a range of other factors. The demonstration or trickle-down effect was the primary mechanism by which any sport participation legacy supported by these events occurred. The practical applications of the research and the wider health benefits of leveraging event-induced sport participation increases are discussed.
