Golf And Health

EDM number 509 in 2016-17, proposed by Stephen Gethins on 10/10/2016.
Categorised under the topics of Health services and Sports.

That this House welcomes the recent scientific review by the University of Edinburgh relating to golf and health published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine; notes that this study highlights that golf can provide moderate intensity physical activity as advocated by the World Health Organisation and our four home nations' Chief Medical Officers'; further notes that this study outlines that, whilst the 55 million golfers worldwide, ranging from four to 104 years old may not win the Ryder Cup, or indeed the Open Championship, they can gain the same benefits such players obtain through golf including better physical and mental health outcomes and likely longer life; is pleased that the report is being widely shared by player ambassadors such as Annika Sorenstam, Gary Player, Padraig Harrington as well as members of our European and United States Ryder Cup teams; encourages others to consider the report's implications, and look out for future research from this group; further welcomes the collaborative approach highlighted thus far by the World Golf Foundation, the Royal and Ancient, PGAs of Europe, the European Tour, and the Universities of Edinburgh and St Andrews; and looks forward to hon. Members and the public alike benefiting from the health benefits of this great sport.

This motion has been signed by a total of 18 MPs.