Major golf and health initiative launches additional 10 ‘Golf Health Hubs’ across Scotland with support from Scottish Golf, Active Scotland and The R&A Foundation
A major new health and wellbeing initiative has launched today that will see golf clubs across Scotland host ten new Golf Health Hubs, providing opportunities for physical activity, rehabilitation and social connection within local communities.
The Golf in Society project, supported by Scottish Golf, Active Scotland, and backed by £100,000 in funding from The R&A Foundation, aims to improve the lives of individuals and families living with long-term health conditions including dementia, Parkinson’s, stroke, frailty, loneliness and depression.
Through specially tailored golf sessions, the programme will offer participants a chance to stay active, connect with others and improve their overall wellbeing.
Bringing Golf’s Health Benefits to Communities
Golf in Society’s mission is simple: to create opportunities for everyone to discover how golf can transform wellbeing.
Ten new venues across Scotland have been identified to host sessions beginning this spring. The hubs will be located across all six Scottish Golf 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)
An Orkney Islands hub centred on facilities in Kirkwall
Scottish Golf and Active Scotland are supporting the project by engaging stakeholders and helping recruit Community Golf Activators, who will deliver sessions and ensure each venue provides welcoming and accessible opportunities for participants.
The initiative aligns with Scottish Golf’s ambition to ensure golf is a sport for everyone and plays a role in building a healthier and more active Scotland.
Golf as a Vehicle for Better Health
This partnership places golf at the heart of community health by supporting both physical and mental wellbeing, while also opening the sport to people who may never have considered picking up a golf club.
Thanks to the generosity of donors, The R&A Foundation is investing £100,000 over the next three years to expand the Golf Health Hub initiative across Scotland.
By supporting projects that improve health and wellbeing while broadening access to the game, The R&A Foundation aims to help more adults stay active, connected and supported through golf.
Proven Impact
Founded by Anthony Blackburn, Golf in Society already delivers programmes across Scotland and England, with strong evidence of their positive impact.
In 2025 alone:
800+ sessions were delivered nationwide
Participants walked a combined 9.5 million steps
Over 10 million mental stimulation decisions were made during play
15,000 hours of respite were provided for carers
37 volunteers helped deliver compassionate community support
These sessions highlight not only the physical benefits of golf, but also the social connection and emotional support created through shared activity.
Government Support for Active Communities
Speaking at the launch event, Sport Minister Maree Todd MSP praised the initiative:
“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.”
A Shared Vision for Accessible Golf
Robbie Clyde, CEO of Scottish Golf, highlighted the long-term value of the project:
“Golf and health are intrinsically linked. There is firm evidence that golf can add five years to your life. A great way to ensure we age well is to continue – or to start – to play golf.
“This amazing Golf in Society project is integral to our mission to make golf accessible to all and break down barriers to the sport.”
Kevin Barker, Director of Golf Development (GB&I and Africa) at The R&A, added:
“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.
“These Golf Health Hubs will create welcoming spaces where people can stay active, build connections and experience the many benefits golf can bring to everyday life.”
Expanding a Life-Changing Programme
Golf in Society founder Anthony Blackburn believes the expansion will bring meaningful change to communities across Scotland:
“This exciting project is a wonderful opportunity to expand our life-changing programmes into ten more communities across Scotland.
“Providing more families with the opportunity to discover the profound impact that simply picking up a golf club can have on health and happiness will be transformational.”
A Community Launch at Hollandbush
The initiative was officially launched at Hollandbush Golf Club, one of the new hub venues. The club recently secured its future through a successful community asset transfer.
General Manager Mags Cathcart said:
“As a community-owned club, projects like this are exactly why we fought so hard to secure the future of the course.
“This programme strengthens our links with the community, bringing new people into the club who may never have considered golf before.
“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.”