"The consensusone of the first of its kindcomes on the eve of the Ryder Cup the biennial golf tournament between Europe and the US. Amid a growing body of evidence on the health impacts of the sport the consensus aims to help current and wouldbe players maximise the health pros and minimise the health cons of golf and to guide policymakers and industry leaders on how best to make golf more inclusive and accessible and so encourage more people from all walks of life to take up the sport. The statement draws on a systematic review of the available published evidence  eligible studies and discussions among an international working group of  experts in public health and health policy and industry leaders. Agreement was reached on  statements in three areas. These set out what is currently known about golfs associations with health the factors that may help or hinder takeup of the sport and a series of recommendations for golfers industry leaders and policy makers on how best to maximise its health benefits promote sustainability and widen participation. The evidence shows that playing golf regularly is associated with longevity and reducing the risk factors for heart diseasestroke. And it can boost older peoples strength and balance. The sport is also associated with good mental health and improving the overall health of those with disabilities. Compared with other sports the risk of injury is moderate but as its an outdoor activity golfers may be more at risk of skin cancer. Golf is sociable and gets people outdoors connecting with nature. It can provide moderate intensity aerobic physical activity and its health benefits are greatest for players and spectators who walk round the course rather than opt for a golf cart. While around  million people play golf at least twice every year the participant profile is quite narrow players tend to be middle aged to older male of white European heritage relatively well off and living in North America Europe and Australasia. And the sport is often perceived as expensive male dominated difficult to learn and not a game for the young or those on the lower rungs of the social ladder. This can put people off says the statement. The sport needs to be more inclusive and welcoming of people from all walks of life and ethnic backgrounds and any such initiatives should be supported it says. More people might be keen to take it up if golf were promoted as an enjoyable lifelong outdoors activity that affords a sense of community and competitive challenge while providing some me time as well as helping to fulfil recommended exercise quotas says the statement. And the sport can do its bit for sustainability by practices that prioritise diversity healthy societies connection with and care of the environment environmental integrity and health and wellbeing the statement suggests. Among its raft of recommendations the consensus statement says that  Golfers   Should aim to play for  minutesweek or do less but couple golf with other physical activity and walk the course rather than ride a golf cart   Do warmupstrengthening exercises to cut the risk of injury and use suncream and wear collared shirtsblouses to minimise the risk of skin cancer   Make everyone feel welcome  ClubsIndustry should   Build on existing initiatives to promote inclusivity and develop environments and price structures that will be attractive to everyone   Develop a culture that will inspire more women and girls to play golf   Make every effort to promote equality and diversity and boost accessibility   Promote sustainability through wildlife conservation and by restricting the use of water energy and pesticides   Provide additional facilities at clubs such as a gym walking routes crches and improve the focus on health and safety with the provision of healthy foods defibrillators and speed limiters on golf carts for example  Policy makers should   Promote the benefits of regular physical activity including golf for people of all ages genders and income brackets   Promote the specific health enhancing aspects of golf   Support diversity equality and sustainability   Work with industry and national associations to boost take up of the sport particularly in groups where physical activity levels are low   Work with industry and regulatory bodies to get golf included in the Paralympics  These outputs if widely shared and adopted will contribute to an improved understanding of golf and health and aid these groups in making evidenceinformed decisions and to improve health and wellbeing the consensus statement concludes."