top of page

New Guide Showcases How Golf Helps To Improve Health & Wellbeing



Sheffield Hallam University has teamed up with Golf in Society and Sport for Confidence to develop a free guide to show how golf can be adapted to improve health and strength in older adults living with long-term conditions and those with barriers to physical activity.


The Therapeutic Value of Golf guide has been produced following a year-long programme exploring how tailored golfing interventions, delivered by specialist coaches, occupational therapists and physiotherapists, can improve health and strength in those who are living with age-related conditions including dementia and Parkinson’s disease.


As part of the programme, experts from Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) and Sport Industry Research Group led a 12-week research project to understand the benefits of golf for participants and caregivers through a series of participant surveys and health assessments.


The research was funded through UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Scaling Social Ventures competition, which supports social enterprises in developing products and services that tackle the impact of ageing.


It identified multiple, encouraging benefits for caregivers and participants including physical improvements as well as an opportunity to engage in a meaningful activity outside of a normal clinical setting.


Sue Young, a carer whose husband Arthur took part in the programme, said:

“The programme was a great opportunity to meet and socialise with people in similar domestic situations."

“Fun and laughter were always part of the sessions and encouraged by the coaches which made for a very relaxed atmosphere for everyone. There was also free access to professional support for both carers and loved ones which was generously given.”


Dr Rachel Young, Principal Research Fellow at Sheffield Hallam University who led the programme evaluation, said:

“Over 20 older adults living with progressive health conditions engaged with the programme. The data we collected from the participants and their caregivers reflected important benefits to mental and physical wellbeing achieved during the 12-week programme."

“The opportunity to take part in a social and physical activity combined with access to clinical therapy enabled participants to make changes to their everyday routines and improve their quality of life. The guide is a fantastic resource which illustrates the value of the Golf in Society offer.”


The guide is fully supported by Sport England and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.


Liz Fletcher, Occupational Therapist and System Partner Lead, Sport for Confidence, said:

“This guide is the result of extensive collaboration, evaluations, and profound insight from people with lived experience."

“Cultivated over numerous years, the guide draws upon Golf in Society's experience in facilitating golf sessions for individuals navigating cognitive decline, coupled with Sport for Confidence's expertise employing occupational therapists alongside sports coaches who use physical activity as a preventative tool to promote good health and wellbeing.”


Golf in Society is a social enterprise that aims to transform the lives of ageing populations by reimagining and repurposing golf clubs as community-based outpatient clinics. It has been evidenced that for every £1 invested, the GiS programme delivers a return of £16.46 in social value.


Download a free copy of the Therapeutic Value of Golf Guide.

Most Read

Derbyshire Beauty Salon 'Made-Up' By Awards Win

Derbyshire Beauty Salon 'Made-Up' By Awards Win

A Derbyshire beauty salon is celebrating after winning top prize in its category at the industry’s biggest national beauty awards...

Eurostar Foods Launches Green Farm Collective

Eurostar Foods Launches Green Farm Collective

The four farmer founders of The Green Farm Collective (TGFC) have teamed up with Eurostar Commodities to develop a line of flours...

Raja Rani Restaurant Named Best Curry Restaurant In Scotland

Raja Rani Restaurant Named Best Curry Restaurant In Scotland

Raja Rani in Glasgow, has officially been crowned Scotland’s Best Curry Restaurant at the Nation’s Curry Awards 2025. This award-winning...

Categories



Sheffield Hallam University has teamed up with Golf in Society and Sport for Confidence to develop a free guide to show how golf can be adapted to improve health and strength in older adults living with long-term conditions and those with barriers to physical activity.


The Therapeutic Value of Golf guide has been produced following a year-long programme exploring how tailored golfing interventions, delivered by specialist coaches, occupational therapists and physiotherapists, can improve health and strength in those who are living with age-related conditions including dementia and Parkinson’s disease.


As part of the programme, experts from Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) and Sport Industry Research Group led a 12-week research project to understand the benefits of golf for participants and caregivers through a series of participant surveys and health assessments.


The research was funded through UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Scaling Social Ventures competition, which supports social enterprises in developing products and services that tackle the impact of ageing.


It identified multiple, encouraging benefits for caregivers and participants including physical improvements as well as an opportunity to engage in a meaningful activity outside of a normal clinical setting.


Sue Young, a carer whose husband Arthur took part in the programme, said:

“The programme was a great opportunity to meet and socialise with people in similar domestic situations."

“Fun and laughter were always part of the sessions and encouraged by the coaches which made for a very relaxed atmosphere for everyone. There was also free access to professional support for both carers and loved ones which was generously given.”


Dr Rachel Young, Principal Research Fellow at Sheffield Hallam University who led the programme evaluation, said:

“Over 20 older adults living with progressive health conditions engaged with the programme. The data we collected from the participants and their caregivers reflected important benefits to mental and physical wellbeing achieved during the 12-week programme."

“The opportunity to take part in a social and physical activity combined with access to clinical therapy enabled participants to make changes to their everyday routines and improve their quality of life. The guide is a fantastic resource which illustrates the value of the Golf in Society offer.”


The guide is fully supported by Sport England and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.


Liz Fletcher, Occupational Therapist and System Partner Lead, Sport for Confidence, said:

“This guide is the result of extensive collaboration, evaluations, and profound insight from people with lived experience."

“Cultivated over numerous years, the guide draws upon Golf in Society's experience in facilitating golf sessions for individuals navigating cognitive decline, coupled with Sport for Confidence's expertise employing occupational therapists alongside sports coaches who use physical activity as a preventative tool to promote good health and wellbeing.”


Golf in Society is a social enterprise that aims to transform the lives of ageing populations by reimagining and repurposing golf clubs as community-based outpatient clinics. It has been evidenced that for every £1 invested, the GiS programme delivers a return of £16.46 in social value.


Most Read

Derbyshire Beauty Salon 'Made-Up' By Awards Win

Derbyshire Beauty Salon 'Made-Up' By Awards Win

A Derbyshire beauty salon is celebrating after winning top prize in its category at the industry’s biggest national beauty awards...

Eurostar Foods Launches Green Farm Collective

Eurostar Foods Launches Green Farm Collective

The four farmer founders of The Green Farm Collective (TGFC) have teamed up with Eurostar Commodities to develop a line of flours...

Raja Rani Restaurant Named Best Curry Restaurant In Scotland

Raja Rani Restaurant Named Best Curry Restaurant In Scotland

Raja Rani in Glasgow, has officially been crowned Scotland’s Best Curry Restaurant at the Nation’s Curry Awards 2025. This award-winning...

Categories

HMG And Belle Vue Speedway Renew Partnership

HMG And Belle Vue Speedway Renew Partnership

HMG Paints has renewed its partnership with Belle Vue Aces for the 2025 season. This year marks a particularly exciting chapter for Belle...

Furniture Village To Open In Glasgow

Furniture Village To Open In Glasgow

Furniture Village is delighted to announce that it has recently exchanged contracts on its largest store to date, in a prominent location...

 Coffee Subscription App Launched By Friends

Coffee Subscription App Launched By Friends

Two entrepreneurs with a thirst for success have launched what is believed to be the world’s first subscription service designed to...

Recent Posts

bottom of page