ArticleBMC primary care2026
"Walking around the golf course is the exercise you need": Exploring the acceptability of a golf on referral scheme amongst participants through post-programme focus groups.
Article in BMC primary care, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- The social significance of golf in Finland in the year 2021 based on SROI analysis.Frontiers in sports and active living · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
12 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundPhysical inactivity has significant adverse consequences for health and wellbeing, yet its ubiquity in higher income countries continues to be a major issue. Participation in sport is one possible solution to reducing inactivity, with evidence showing its ability to increase physical activity levels, improving physical and mental health, as well as social connections. Recent research has suggested that the benefits of sports, such as golf, could be achieved through social prescribing schemes, connecting inactive individuals to local activity opportunities. However, it is unclear how this connection pathway between community health settings and golf clubs may work in practice. A pilot Golf for Health scheme was implemented in Fife, Scotland. The present research aimed to assess the acceptability of this programme and its connection pathways, exploring this amongst participants’ experiences.
methodsHealthcare practices and allied professionals in Fife were invited to take part in the pilot study, connecting inactive individuals with five local golf clubs offering a free-of-charge ‘Golf for Health’ programme. Following the pilot, two semi-structured focus groups (n = 9) were conducted with participants who completed the programme. These aimed to explore how well the intervention was received and the extent to which it met participant needs, as well as the initial connection experience. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.
resultsThree overarching themes were developed, representing the barriers and facilitators to engagement; the connection pathway and sign-up process; and the participants’ programme experience. Participants enjoyed the programme, appreciated the chance to learn golf and make new friends in a welcoming environment; however, there were concerns regarding the connection pathways and sign-up process.
conclusionsOverall responses were positive, with reports that participation was generally beneficial. ‘Golf for Health’ may offer an accessible and social introduction to golf, subsequently providing opportunity for long-term health and wellbeing benefits. More work is needed on developing connection pathways that are acceptable and feasible in practice.
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