Golf and Mindfulness: How the Sport Can Improve Your Mental Wellbeing

Golf isn’t just about perfecting your swing or achieving an unbeatable score against the competition – it’s a sport that offers a multitude of health benefits. From improving your physical fitness to enhanced mental focus, golf is a mindful practice in motion, bringing together strategy, movement and ultimate calm. A sport that is as much a game of the mind as it is of the body, it’s no surprise that 95% of golfers believe golf significantly benefits their mental health, offering a powerful vehicle to ensure positive wellbeing.

Yet, despite this belief, 41% of golfers still feel that mental health isn’t talked about enough within the golf community. However, with conversations around overall wellness continuing to become more open and inclusive, we explore how pairing golf with mindfulness can be a game-changer for mental wellbeing.

Mindfulness and the Joy of Movement

Mindfulness can be defined as “the practice of being aware of your body, mind, and feelings in the present moment, thought to create a feeling of calm.” Celebrated for its benefits to emotional and psychological health, mindfulness can help to reduce stress, anxiety and depression and enable a deeper connection between the mind and body.

Interestingly, walking an 18-hole golf course can burn between 800 and 1,400 calories. At Stoke by Nayland, that activity unfolds across some of the most scenic landscapes in the UK, with gentle hills, leafy fairways, and open skies that invite you to get outdoors and still the mind.

Explore our championship golf courses, our state-of-the-art driving range, and a full calendar of relaxing golf days and summer golf breaks that await discovery.

The Perfect Pairing: Golf and Mindfulness

There’s something innately mindful about the rhythm of golf. A study from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden found that regular golfers enjoy a 40% lower mortality rate than non-golfers, equating to up to five additional years of life. However, it isn’t just about living longer; it’s about living better, thanks to the physical, emotional, and mental rewards that golf so naturally provides.

Additionally, this movement, combined with mindful awareness, can also help to reduce the risk of more than 40 major chronic conditions, including depression, anxiety, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and heart disease. So, whether you’re a beginner looking to try the sport or you’ve played for years, our exceptional facilities offer the perfect space to start (or further) your golfing journey.

The Mindful Aspects of Golf

Mindfulness on the golf course teaches us to leave past mistakes behind and avoid worrying about what’s to come. Showing up for the shot in front of you, staying fully focused and present in the moment before you begin to swing is what’s important!

• Pre-shot routines: A deep breath, a few practice swings, or a moment of stillness can all act as anchors that help to settle the mind and keep you centred. Developing a mindfulness routine can help to reduce stress, regulate your emotions and help to improve your performance.
• Awaken the senses: As you take your turn on the course, feel the weight of your club in your hands, inhale the smell of freshly cut grass, the sounds of a crisp strike and the gentle breeze, to bring you into the moment. These details can effectively ground us in the here and now, making every round of golf a rewarding experience.

Mental Health Benefits of Golf

Surrounded by the lush countryside of the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, playing golf at Stoke by Nayland provides a perfect antidote to modern-day stresses. Benefits of outside golf include a 77% distraction from stress or worry, with 66% experiencing an improvement in mood.

• Focus and Concentration: Central to the game, golf can hone your ability to stay mentally sharp, building resilience and cognitive clarity over time, extending far beyond the course and into your daily life. 
• Emotional Regulation: This comes naturally as you learn to stay patient and emotionally in control with each missed shot. With improved discipline, managing frustration after a missed putt and staying calm under pressure can reshape and improve your ability to respond to the ups and downs of the game.

After the game, head to our Sports Bar to unwind. If you’re an early riser, enjoy a delicious breakfast on our sunny outdoor terrace. From a full English breakfast, bacon bap or a waffle with your choice of toppings, the choice is yours. Or indulge in a leisurely lunch with light bites, hearty mains, or our decadent desserts to refuel and re-energise.

Mindfulness Techniques in Golf

While playing on our courses, take a moment to focus on breathing exercises that can fully ground you and bring you into focus.

Inhale for four counts, hold for four and then exhale for four. These deep, intentional breaths before each swing can help soothe your nerves and improve control.

While doing this, visualise your perfect shot before swinging. Move your body accordingly to follow through with ultimate precision. Tune into how your body feels, including your grip, posture and stance. The more present you are in your body, the more natural and fluid your movements will become.

Need a little extra guidance? The James Andrews Golf School is right here at our resort, offering expert coaching from our friendly team of PGA and EGTF pros. Fine-tune your technique and unlock your potential! 

Golf as a Form of Meditation

Walking the gentle undulations of the Gainsborough and Constable courses offers a wonderful opportunity to embrace golf as a form of walking meditation. Listen to the birdsong and the rustling trees, spot local wildlife and tune into the rhythm of your steps. Settle your thoughts and let the quiet in.

Golf also offers that much-needed space to think, reflect, and reset. For solo players or small groups, our courses allow you to create room for clarity and calm.

Practical Tips for Integrating Mindfulness into Golf

• Set an intention before each round: Whether it’s to stay present, enjoy our surroundings, or play with friends – let your intention guide the game.
• Be thankful for the experience: Enjoy the scenic surroundings, the company you’re with and your tranquil surroundings, which can uplift and inspire you.
• When the game doesn’t go to plan: Don’t let one shot define your round. Let go of frustrations, breathe, and fully reset, allowing you to move forward with calm and confidence.

More than a Game

Golf offers so much more than sport and is a path to better mental health, a chance to reconnect with nature, and a form of moving meditation and mindfulness. With its gentle physicality and opportunities, it's no wonder golf is gaining recognition as a wellness activity for all ages.

At Stoke by Nayland Resort, you can experience this blend of mindfulness and movement firsthand. Setting the stage for where focus, challenge, and enjoyment come together effortlessly, refine your swing or simply enjoy the peace of the Essex countryside to fully nurture your body and mind.