Golf and Health

Golf boosts physical and mental wellbeing of patients and staff at NHS Foundation Trust

The R&A

17 May 25

Long Read

Kevin Barker (right) of The R&A presents a GolfWay donation to Steve Muggridge of the NHS at Woburn.

A ‘first-touch’ inclusive golf format for people with significant health challenges is making a major impact thanks to the enthusiasm of the team of sports therapists working for the East London NHS Foundation Trust.

EDGA and The R&A Foundation first started to support the Trust just over two years ago. EDGA had created the ‘D3’ learning format which can be delivered by professional coaches, community instructors and volunteers in non-traditional golf venues – such as hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, schools and community spaces. EDGA offers the training through D3 to encourage people in all stages of life to enjoy golf using safe, light, colourful, adapted Golfway chippers and putters with soft golf balls. By training the sports therapy team at the East London NHS Foundation Trust, staff are able to offer a fun, challenging golf experience to 12-15 patients a week, including mental health patients whose reaction witnessed by the team demonstrates how much they get out of the sessions.

Highly inclusive

Steve Muggridge, Health Development Coordinator for the Trust, said, “When we learned why D3 could be so beneficial for our patients, for increasing their activity levels and their mental wellbeing, we were immediately keen to get training from EDGA. “From the opening minute this was accessible, interactive and highly inclusive. The equipment we used was perfect for our patient type.” During The G4D Open this week at Woburn, Steve and his team brought along patients to try golf, while staff received top-up training in a fun-packed session led by EDGA’s PGA professional coaching specialist Leah Roelich. All involved were able to soak up the atmosphere of the Championship, staged by The R&A in partnership with the DP World Tour, and supported by EDGA. Over three competition days, 80 golfers with disability from 20 countries were welcomed to Woburn.

The G4D Open is taking place at Woburn this week.

Huge impact

Steve added, “In the case of our mental health patients, we often ask them how they feel mood-wise, in a score of ‘one-to-five’ before their golf and they will typically say one or two, and then later after the golf it’s up to four or five. Some patients feel isolated but simply playing golf with other patients makes a huge impact and we always use an outdoor space when the weather is kind. “Golf activity like this also unlocks sport and games memories for our dementia patients; they can engage with play again to experience enjoyment and achievement. It’s great to see the patients happy and absorbed in a task and smiling as they see the results.” Steve said that golf has also been a “fantastic boost” for patients in rehabilitation from injury and illness. He first brought along a group of patients and staff to try D3, which is endorsed by The R&A, at the inaugural G4D Open at Woburn in 2023.

R&A Foundation support

The relationship has grown significantly. In 2024 The R&A Foundation donated a kit bag of equipment for the Trust’s sports therapist team for all-year round use. “Our sports therapists love the Golfway clubs and games,” said Steve. “To be able to calm a person’s anxiety through golf, encourage them to leave their room for an activity, or give them more confidence to be more social, is a very special thing.” Steve added, “The extra factor is that our staff love playing the games too. We regularly have staff social sessions and it has become a feature of team-building days. At a time when stress for staff in the NHS can be a real concern, golf has helped our team tremendously.” Mark Taylor, Fellow PGA Professional and EDGA’s Head of Instruction and Education, designed the ‘D369’ resource (of which D3 is a part), which is a three-step system that takes the player through the sampling stage of the ‘player pathway’ with the opportunity to participate more regularly and compete in G4D tournaments.

Excellent session

Leah Roelich is leading the training for the London NHS Foundation Trust as the project grows, including showcasing golf at public events in the area; recently holding golf sessions in the local authority-led ‘Wellbeing Games’, where nearly 400 people of all ages and varying disabilities were invited to sample golf. Mark Taylor said, “It is wonderful to hear how the Trust’s sports therapists have encouraged their patients through golf. Our trained PGA coach Leah has added to their knowledge by running a really excellent session at Woburn. Everyone can have a go at D3 and quite quickly there are suddenly no barriers there. If we can help Steve to grow this project further in the area we will be delighted.” Steve Muggridge added, “Woburn this week has been very special. Small things like our patients getting to sit on a golf cart today for the first time are great fun. Our team are all really grateful to EDGA and The R&A for their support and the welcome from Woburn’s staff, volunteers and members has been second to none.”

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