Representatives of the European Tour group visited the UK Parliament this week for the launch of a report outlining the positive impact the game can have across all aspects of society - including the prevention of 49,000 cases of physical and mental conditions.
The independent report funded by The R&A and published by Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre, was based on data gathered in the UK in 2019 and showed how golf can provide huge social and economic benefits.
The European Tour group's Golf for Good initiative is looking to aid these efforts by promoting golf as a truly inclusive sport for all through the G4D (Golf for the Disabled) Tour, and through its Golf Futures and community programmes that are inspiring future generations across the globe on the opportunities that come from following, playing or working in golf.
The study found that in the UK alone golf was estimated to have prevented 49,000 cases of physical and mental conditions, including over 5,000 cases of clinical depression, 1,100 cases of dementia and 2,500 cases of coronary heart disease and stroke.
When these 49,000 cases are taken into account alongside the impact golf has on general mental wellbeing and other social outcomes, the social value of golf in the UK is estimated at £1.04billion.
As well as social benefits, the study shows golf is also contributing hugely to the economy in the UK, with golfers spending £5.1billion annually, the equivalent of £964 per adult golfer and 10% of the UK’s total sport expenditure. The UK golf industry also employs 63,826 full-time equivalent employees in the UK.
The European Tour group's Chief People Officer Fran Merrylees, Head of Sustainability Andrew Lynch, and Chief Scientific and Medical Officer Dr Andrew Murray, were invited to Parliament by MP Craig Tracey for the launch of the report.
Spending by golfers in the UK has grown to £5.1 billion, the equivalent of £964 per adult golfer, according to an independent report from Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre, funded by The R&A
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Martin Slumbers, CEO of the R&A, said: “These results show that golf’s contribution to the economy is significant and continues to rise. We are seeing the benefits of a thriving club sector driven by the spending of millions of golfers and a growing influence on the success of other industries such as tourism and hospitality. Its increasing popularity in recent years means that we would expect the figures to be even higher today.
“Golf is not only good for the economy, it is also good for the health of the country. The positive health and wellbeing benefits from playing golf are already well documented and this new research shows that it can deliver social value and contribute towards making people healthier and happier throughout their lives.”
The reports are authored by Professor Simon Shibli and Professor Larissa Davies of Sheffield Hallam University. The data used in the reports are derived from the 2019 System of National Income Accounts, the most recent available in the UK.
