Researchers from the University of South Australia have found that engaging in golf can provide meaningful relief for individuals living with osteoarthritis, a long-standing joint condition that affects millions. The study, reported in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, explored how regular golf activity might influence physical well-being and daily functioning among those with this chronic disease.
The research team interviewed 459 golfers who have osteoarthritis and then compared their insights with responses from more than 16,000 Australians who live with chronic illnesses but do not participate in golf. By broadening the comparison beyond a single health metric, the study sought to capture a fuller picture of how a recreational sport might shape overall health status, mood, and daily life for people managing joint pain.
Remarkably, 91 percent of the golfers with osteoarthritis rated their health as good, very good, or excellent, while 64 percent of the broader non-golfer group with osteoarthritis reported similar levels of health. This difference highlights the potential role of consistent physical activity in influencing perceived health status among adults dealing with joint disease, suggesting that regular moderate exercise could be linked to more favorable self-assessments of well-being even when a chronic condition is present.
The study also examined stress levels across the two groups. It found that people with chronic diseases who do not play golf reported a higher burden of stress, with about 22 percent experiencing elevated stress, versus 8 percent for golfers who stay active. The authors interpret this disparity as evidence that staying engaged in physical activities, even those as approachable as golf, may help manage stress more effectively in everyday life.
According to researchers, the positive associations between golf and well-being among osteoarthritis patients appear to be tied to regular physical activity. On average, participants who golfed walked eight to ten kilometers per round, a level of activity that supports cardiovascular health, joint mobility, and weight management. This pattern suggests that golf can be an accessible way for people with joint disease to maintain physical fitness, reduce risk factors for diabetes and heart disease, and cultivate a habit of movement that can endure over time. Beyond the physical benefits, the social and psychological aspects of the sport—enjoyment, routine, and the sense of accomplishment from a completed round—likely contribute to enhanced mood and life satisfaction for many players. In this context, golf becomes more than a pastime; it can function as a complementary component of chronic disease management and a strategy for sustaining independence in daily living.