Golf is key to healthy ageing and a happier, more active Scotland, says Minister

A major new golf and health project launched today, which sees golf clubs across Scotland support the creation of 10 ‘Golf Health Hubs’ to provide physical activity, rehabilitation and respite opportunities for their local community.

The Golf in Society project, Golf at the Heart of Healthy Ageing Across Scotland, backed by Scottish Golf, Active Scotland and with £100,000 of support from The R&A Foundation, aims to help families and individuals living with long-term health conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s, stroke, frailty, loneliness and depression by creating opportunities to socialise, get active and improve wellbeing through tailored golf sessions.  Golf in Society’s social mission is to create opportunities for everyone to discover how golf can transform overall wellbeing, and now ten new venues across Scotland have been identified to host Golf in Society’s sessions this spring.  Those golf clubs are situated in all six of Scottish Golf’s regions: Hollandbush (West), Royal Dornoch (North), Balnagask / Nigg Bay (North East), Dunnikier Park (Central), Wellsgreen (Central), Carluke (West), Palacerigg (West), Kelso (East), Newton Stewart (South West) and an Orkney islands hub centred on facilities at Kirkwall.  Scottish Golf, the governing body for golf in Scotland, and Active Scotland, a department within the Scottish Government, are supporting the project by engaging key stakeholders, and recruiting Community Golf Activators for the new venues to ensure those identified have appropriate amenities and are in locations able to deliver the greatest impact.  Key to Scottish Golf’s involvement in the exciting new project is the ambition to ensure golf is for everyone, and contributes to a healthier, more active and aspirational Scotland.  This collaboration uses golf as a vehicle through which improvements in social, mental and physical health of Scotland’s communities can be achieved, supporting public health ambitions while also improving accessibility into the sport.  The R&A Foundation supports initiatives that create good both for golf, and through golf. Thanks to the generosity of donors, The R&A Foundation is providing £100,000 of support over the next three years to expand the Golf in Society health initiative across Scotland.  By investing in projects that improve health and wellbeing, broaden access to golf and strengthen its role in society, The R&A Foundation is helping more adults to stay active, connected and supported through the game.  

Founded by Anthony Blackburn, Golf in Society is already delivering its work across existing sites in Scotland and England, with strong evidence of the benefits.  In 2025, over 800 sessions took place across venues nationwide with 9.5 million steps taken by participants helping to improve levels of physical activity.  Over 10 million mental stimulation decisions were also taken during play and, at the same time, over 15,000 hours of respite were provided to carers. Sessions also highlighted the community aspect of the Golf in Society sessions with 37 volunteers delivering compassionate support during activities.  The launch event at Hollandbush Golf Club brought together a wide range of stakeholders from health, social care, community and golf sectors who are committed to advancing healthy ageing through partnership working.     At the launch, attendees heard from Maree Todd, MSP for Drugs, Alcohol Policy and Sport, presenting an overview from Scottish Government.  Sport Minister Maree Todd said, “Being physically active is one of the best things we can do to improve our physical, mental and social health.  “Golf is a sport for people of all ages with wide-reaching health benefits, and I wholeheartedly support Golf in Society’s plans to offer hubs that support people with longer term health conditions such as dementia, Parkinson’s, strokes, frailty and loneliness.  “The ten hubs will help people to live more active, happier lives and I thank Golf in Society, The R&A and Scottish Golf for moving this venture forward.”  Robbie Clyde, CEO of Scottish Golf, added, “Golf in Society is integral to our mission to make golf accessible to all and to break down barriers to the sport for those who may never have considered it. That includes both those with long-term health conditions or disabilities, but also those who might be caring for them.  “This project enables those who may never have picked up a club before to benefit from a unique sport that can be played over the course of a lifetime, and we are delighted to work with our member golf clubs and be involved in bringing these Golf Health Hubs to communities across Scotland.”   Kevin Barker, Director, Golf Development - GB&I and Africa at The R&A, said, “Thanks to the generosity of our donors, The R&A Foundation is proud to support initiatives like Golf in Society that demonstrate the positive role golf can play in improving health and wellbeing.  “By working in partnership with golf clubs, Scottish Golf and Active Scotland, these additional Golf Health Hubs will create welcoming spaces where people can stay active, build connections and experience the many benefits that golf can bring to everyday life.” Blackburn, speaking from a Golf in Society perspective, believes this project will put golf at the heart of healthy ageing and make a real difference by delivering therapy in the community.  He said, “This exciting project is a wonderful opportunity to expand our life-changing programmes into 10 more communities across Scotland and prove the importance of collaboration between like-minded stakeholders.  “Providing more families with the opportunity to access and discover the profound impact simply picking up a golf club can have on their overall health and happiness will be transformational.   “By taking our golf-inspired wellbeing programmes into the wider community, we will inspire more people to enjoy a happier, healthier, better-connected life through this amazing game we call golf.”  Recently, Hollandbush successfully completed a community asset transfer to ensure that golf could remain at the heart of local life.  General Manager Mags Cathcart said, “We are incredibly proud that Hollandbush Golf Club was chosen to host the launch. As a community-owned club, projects like this are exactly why we fought so hard to secure the future of the course.  “This programme further strengthens our links with the community, bringing new people into the club who may never have considered golf before.  “We feel extremely passionate about supporting everyone in our community, particularly those living with dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or experiencing loneliness.  “Golf has the power to bring people together, and Hollandbush is proud to be a place where people can connect, stay active and feel part of something."