O/T? Golf IS good for you.

[Tony_Muldoon]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-7995063/Play-golf-avoid-early-grave-Players-sport-face-half-risk-premature-death.html


I realise there have been previous studies but I'm just posting in the hope that someone Senior at the R&A reads this and prioritises this message as a good way to promote the game of golf.

I looked and there is now a page on their website

https://www.randa.org/TheRandA/Initiatives/GolfandHealth

but I've never seen a peep from them in the papers about this and it's a case they could be taking to government. ( I have looked in previous years and there was nothing, so its a start).

When you look at all the money The Open, Sky etc brings them, they should be doing a lot more. It needs to be a core message from them. At a time when  Golf participation is falling and there's clear evidence of it's benefits, then as custodians of the game they need to be at the front in spreading this good news. Why aren't they trumpeting this research?


We need a healthier population. From which it follows, we need more golfers.


End of rant. I thank you for your patience.

[Jon Wiggett]

Tony,


looking at the way the R&A and other governing bodies here in the UK have acted in recent decades I would not hold your breath. They seem quite happy to do very little to help promote the game of golf in the UK.


Good report though.


Jon

[Niall C]

I was almost tempted to jump in and do my usual defence of the R&A and then I thought, why bother ? As far as this site goes they have already been convicted.


Niall

[Jon Wiggett]

Niall,


no you go ahead. I am not at all saying that the R&A is all bad, far from it. But in their desire to be THE global organisation I am afraid they are forgetting to keep their own backyard in order. A discussion needs balance so long as it is balanced reasoning.


Jon

[Sean_A]

There is no question the R&A has dropped a few balls in the past few decades.  1. Lack of equipment regulation.  2. Lack of equipment regulation leading to the longer ball which has been used as a major reason for altering Open courses.  3. The longer ball leading to supposed H&S issues which has been used as a major reason for altering Open courses.

There is a disconnect with the R&A between growing the Open brand and protecting the heritage of the game (ie courses etc).

Ciao

[Joe Hancock]

This, along with camaraderie, mentorship, character-building, etc., should be the message that attempts to grow the game.


If the powers-that-be keep chasing golfers with cultural and trendy applications to the game, we’re going to lose the backbone of the sport and end up with a dwindling amount of interest. Just MO.....

[MCirba]

It works in the other direction as well.   I work out regularly at age 61 because I want to be able to easily walk my favorite courses and still have the strength, flexibility, and balance to be able to play with some ability.   The enjoyment of the game is a great motivator.

[Jason Topp]

I could see a number of ads mocking the fitness industry and showing golfers getting more benefit from a couple of strolls around a golf course each week. 




"Let's Get Physical" - old guys in leotards


"Peleton" - get the woman from the Peleton Ad to spend a year playing golf and getting even more fit


"I Love my ACL" (to the tune of "I Love LA") - showing guys playing golf and burning more calories than people playing pick up basketball or soccer and blowing ACLs. 

[Erik J. Barzeski]

This same study seems to appear every decade or so, doesn't it?

In reality, it's not so much that golf specifically helps people live longer, just that you're an active person if you're playing golf, or more active (in general) than someone who does not. Physical activity helps keep you healthier.

I imagine you'd see similar results from people who enjoy other forms of light physical activity.

Edit: Google is clouded with a lot of links to the most recent study, but there are some others out there:

• https://golfcanada.ca/article/golfers-live-longer
• https://www.worldsbestgolfdestinations.com/new-study-proves-golfers-live-5-years-longer
• https://www.golfandhealth.org/physical/golfers-live-longer/ (not sure of the year)
• https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/06/playing-golf-can-add-five-years-to-your-life-according-to-resear/ (2016)

[astavrides]

...then there is the question of whether roundup increases risk of cancer in golfers and/or golf course workers. It's not my field and I haven't looked into it (though it's on my list of things to do), but maybe someone here who knows more might provide some useful info.

[Tim Martin]

...then there is the question of whether roundup increases risk of cancer in golfers and/or golf course workers. It's not my field and I haven't looked into it (though it's on my list of things to do), but maybe someone here who knows more might provide some useful info.

Tennis anyone?

[Adrian_Stiff]

...then there is the question of whether roundup increases risk of cancer in golfers and/or golf course workers. It's not my field and I haven't looked into it (though it's on my list of things to do), but maybe someone here who knows more might provide some useful info.

The horse has already bolted on this one. Many pesticides, fungicides and insecticides have been linked to cancer. Many are no longer used, it started with Mercury in the 70s, Cyanide in the 80s and so on. The damage if any has already been done by the last 50 years, 'if' it infiltrates into our aquifers it has been doing so for the last 50 years and even if now banned could migrate for further years as some 'may' take 100 years to get into the water. It has happened everywhere pretty much not golf courses.
If you walk 5 miles once a week you will live longer is a great hook to hang our hat if we want more golfers. Selling the health benifits of golf is a massive plus.

[Tony_Muldoon]

...then there is the question of whether roundup increases risk of cancer in golfers and/or golf course workers. It's not my field and I haven't looked into it (though it's on my list of things to do), but maybe someone here who knows more might provide some useful info.

I used to be a landscaper.   I have a spraying license and to show willing I sprayed Roundup with my team at least once a year. Obviously in was in my financial interest that my company used it.


Less than 5 years ago I attended a meeting with The Department of The Environment. Scientists laid out the case and the official line is they were still looking for any clear evidence, but in the meantime carry on.   I got the clear impression that this is one area where today's GB will take a different stance to the EEC, where environmentalists have already come close to getting a ban.

Off record they all felt that the issue was clouded because Round Up, the market leading product using Glyphosate, was a big profit earner for Monsanto. Monsanto are also the prime movers in the field of Genetic Modification of crops and that is what the environmental lobby is really united against and they have waged war on the company. Only  15 years ago leading environmental campaigners were supporting the use of Glyphosate (over other forms of weed control)  as it only affects plants it lands on and breaks down on contact with soil, having no residual life. It is approved for use on weeds in water courses in very low levels.


I'm not a scientist but case against is not proven in my book.

[Tony_Muldoon]

PS I am amazed that I've only seen this reported in one tabloid and Shackleford's site.


If only some governing body would get behind publicising it...

[Angus Moir]

Tony


I have had quite a bit of experience with most of the governing bodies in UK in various capacities.


In my opinion the R&A do a lot of good for golf in the UK and around the non US golf world but I do agree with you on the R&A being one organisation that could promote the benefits of the game we all love in an impactful way.


Golf needs a marketing campaign that emotionally tells our story...people are moved to action by emotion and golf  has a lot of emotion to tell.The R&A have done some powerful campaigns around Open champions and the Open itself that had real emotional impact...


If they_maybe in partnership with the Tour and/or Sky TV?...put some real money into a start golf/play golf/play more golf campaign or campaigns, they could break through the noise and maybe help get a few more folks golfing...like Sky did for cycling in UK.


And I appreciate the facilities and courses need to be part of this but the golf is good for you is a great message to be expanded and told...


It just needs someone with some resources and interest to tell it...

[astavrides]

then there is the pesticides link to parkinson's....
https://www.clinicaladvisor.com/home/features/pesticides-and-%E2%80%A8parkinsons-disease/

[Mark Stewart]

then there is the pesticides link to parkinson's....
https://www.clinicaladvisor.com/home/features/pesticides-and-%E2%80%A8parkinsons-disease/

From the summary to the above link:


"For the present, there is insufficient evidence to link ambient exposure to pesticides among golfers and the development of Parkinson's Disease."

[Steve Lang]

   last line in that article
Smokers better off?

[Michael Whitaker]

If you walk 5 miles once a week you will live longer is a great hook to hang our hat if we want more golfers. Selling the health benifits of golf is a massive plus.

My son has never seriously considered playing golf, neither has any of his friends that I am aware. They all enjoy “hiking” together, however. I’ve asked him “wouldn’t it be fun to take a hike, stopping along the way to whack a ball?” His reply was “I’ve never thought of golf that way. It’s an old man’s game with golf carts.” If golf were promoted in the States as a walking adventure with significant health benefits I can’t help but think it would recruit considerably more young adults to the game.

[Kalen Braley]

If you walk 5 miles once a week you will live longer is a great hook to hang our hat if we want more golfers. Selling the health benifits of golf is a massive plus.

My son has never seriously considered playing golf, neither has any of his friends that I am aware. They all enjoy “hiking” together, however. I’ve asked him “wouldn’t it be fun to take a hike, stopping along the way to whack a ball?” His reply was “I’ve never thought of golf that way. It’s an old man’s game with golf carts.” If golf were promoted in the States as a walking adventure with significant health benefits I can’t help but think it would recruit considerably more young adults to the game.

Mike,

While I think this is a good point, there are two other things to consider:

1)  Time - You can do a flat 4-5 mile brisk hike in an hour or so and perhaps add another 1/2 hour if its a bit hilly. The time commitment of 1-1.5 hours vs 4-5 time is a fairly big deal.

2)  Cost - 5 mile hike is basically free but golf hundreds of dollars in equipment up front and another $50-100 each time for a green fee.

Seems to me the selling point still needs to be getting them hooked on the game with the walking benefits as a bonus.

[Bruce Katona]

Gee whiz - promoting golf as a healthy life alternative - The USGA missed the boat on this one !


Can we tie it into FedEx points somehow (I read the Peter Kostas articles on his yake of dismissal from CBS) - if so the PGA Tour & USGA will sin on!