An engaging and inspiring campaign is taking place this week with the first #Golf Health Week which will raise awareness of the health benefits of golf for people of all ages. Fitness, mental health, disability, health at golf clubs and golf for everyone, which has specific projects for people living with dementia, stroke, Parkinsons disease and loneliness. Digital and social media will be used to promote the physical and mental benefits of playing golf.

The campaign is supported by the R&A, European Tour, Ladies European Tour, PGA, Golf Foundation, England Golf, Scottish Golf, Wales Golf and the Golfing Union of Ireland and the Irish Ladies Golf Association. The European Disabled Golfers Association, the PGAs of Europe and Golf Australia have shown interest in supporting too. Ambassadors are Annika Sorenstam, Padraig Harrington, Brooke Henderson and Zach Johnson, The dedicated week builds on the golf and health research project started in 2016.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of the R&A said “it is important to demonstrate that playing golf can provide significant benefits for the health and wellbeing of those who participate in the sport. We’re encouraging people to tweet their steps taken and calories burned as they play golf and to head to the fairways over the Easter holidays”.

The campaign aims to tackle physical inactivity and prevent serious illnesses developing such as hear disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. It is now established that people who play golf will live five years longer than if they did not play any sport.

Frilford Heath Golf Club are one of the clubs taking part, and this film explains what they will be doing.