The science behind golf has been studied by my wife, former Physician Assistant turned Chief Mindfulness Officer for golf as medicine, for over a decade. This is a genuinely rich body of evidence full of evidence and research that supports golf as a modality for health.
Anecdotally, golf has taken me from a corporate VP, running the hamster wheel, waiting for the hours to pass for the weekend to traveling with my family and worldschooling our daughter while playing golf in some of the most beautiful courses around the globe. From Pebble Beach to Pinehurst to links courses in Ireland and Scotland and finally St. Andrews, it has transformed my life in ways I never imagined. My mind is clear, my mental health has never been better, my body feels good and strong and my game is the best its ever been.
That’s my story. I also have stories from clients who have worked with me.
Then we have the science. Here it is:
Golf provides moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, with evidence pointing to positive associations with physical health, mental wellness, and potentially reduced mortality. The best available evidence suggests that to maximize benefits, golfers should walk the course rather than ride a cart. PubMed Central
A 2018 International Consensus Statement on Golf and Health found that golf is associated with increased longevity, improved cardiovascular disease risk factors, and mental well-being benefits. It can also positively influence health for those living with disability. PubMed Central
Research highlights that golf can help individuals improve confidence, self-esteem, and anxiety levels. Physical activity is a proven treatment for depression and anxiety, and golf is known to provide these benefits without the side effects associated with medications. Golf & Health
A Finnish study of golfers aged 65 and older found that an 18-hole round had a greater effect on lipid and blood glucose levels than 3.5 miles of regular walking or Nordic walking — because although golf has lower exercise intensity, the longer duration means more calories burned overall. CBS News
Walking the course, swinging, and focusing on your next shot all act as gentle aerobic exercise. This helps regulate breathing, improve circulation, and lower cortisol — the stress hormone. Regular mental engagement over a four-hour round also trains sustained attention, improves memory, and helps delay cognitive decline. Galvin Green
And if you’re in the hamster wheel too, this is what it can do for you:
YOUR BRAIN ON NATURE
The prefrontal cortex — the brain’s primary tool for focus, reasoning, and decision-making — functions like any muscle: it fatigues. Time outdoors gives it the recovery it needs to return fully restored. CBS News
In a Harvard Business Review study, workers who took a 40-second break looking at a green outdoor scene saw their concentration rise by 6%, while those who looked at concrete experienced an 8% drop. The group who saw nature also made significantly fewer errors and maintained steadier attention overall. Golfsciencejournal
A 90-minute walk through a natural setting reduces blood flow to the parts of the brain associated with rumination — the loop of negative, self-focused thinking that derails both performance and wellbeing. PubMed Central
WORK PERFORMANCE & CREATIVITY
Stanford research shows outdoor meetings generate more ideas and more dynamic conversations than indoor sessions. Natural settings also tend to flatten workplace hierarchies, making conversations between different levels more open and productive. PubMed Central
Employees who have access to nature during their workday report higher job satisfaction, greater happiness, and fewer mental health problems. Regular green space exposure is linked to improved attention, memory, and creativity. PubMed Central
Work-related stress costs organizations millions in lost productivity annually through employee dissatisfaction, reduced output, and physical and emotional health decline. Time in nature is one of the most well-researched interventions available. Golf & Health
GOLF AND LEADERSHIP
Research from Pepperdine University confirms that executives who play golf report enhanced abilities in self-management, managing others, and adapting to changing conditions — all core leadership competencies. Golf provides four to five hours of uninterrupted time where strategic thinking, emotional regulation, and relationship-building converge — something no boardroom training can replicate. Nature
Studies report that 90% of Fortune 500 CEOs play golf, and nearly a quarter of the 25 million golfers in the United States are top management executives. ScienceDirect
The rhythmic pace of walking between shots combined with the mental engagement the game requires helps leaders stay present and focused, reducing stress while improving decision-making. Many organizations now integrate golf into executive wellness programs for these measurable performance benefits. PubMed Central