EAGLE - Development of Connection Pathways from Primary Care to Golf Packages
Welcome to the EAGLE project.
The EAGLE project, funded by ISPS Handa and the R & A, is a pioneering collaborative study between the School of Medicine and a number of leading golfing organisations, listed below.
This project is designed to develop, implement and evaluate connection pathways for social prescription from primary care and community services to a free golf programme called Golf for Health. The programme is for people who are new to golf or have not played in a while and who do not currently meet the recommended guidelines for physical activity participation. Participation in golf can have many mental, social and physical health benefits, which the programme aims to harness over an 8 week period.
Phase 1 of the EAGLE study implemented a co-design process to determine connection pathways from primary care and community services to Golf for Health. These pathways are being implemented and evaluated in Phase 2.
Seven GP practices, four community link workers and three community services have been actively referring and signposting individuals to Golf for Health. The programme has been running over the past year at five golf clubs across Fife, Dunnikier, St Andrews, Dunfermline, Cluny and Elmwood. Evaluation of the pathways and programme is ongoing. For a snapshot of how things are going check out the video.
Formed in 2004 and based in St Andrews, The R&A engages in and supports activities undertaken for the benefit of the sport of golf. The R&A also place emphasis on encouraging junior golf, on the promotion and progression of the sport in emerging golfing nations, on coaching and on the provision of more public golf courses and improved practice facilities. The R&A also provides best practice guidelines on all aspects of golf course management to help grow golf throughout the world in a commercially and environmentally sustainable way.
Formed in 2004 and based in St Andrews, ISPS Handa is a non-profit organisation, known for its sponsorship of golf tournaments worldwide, including the PGA Seniors Championship and LPGA Women’s Australian Open. It has a strong belief in the power of sport and particularly golf to break down barriers and bring people together.
Fife Golf Trust are a diverse business and their team of Starters, Greenkeepers, Course Managers and Golf Professionals work hard to deliver a great value golfing experience for everyone. Fife Golf Trust work with the local golf clubs associated with their courses to ensure their golf courses are open to all and managed in a sustainable way, providing affordable and easy access to quality golf courses.
Scottish Golf is the national governing body for the sport of golf in Scotland. Based at the Home of Golf in St Andrews, they provide support to Scotland’s affiliated golf clubs, representing and adding value to around 180,000 golf club members. Their role ranges from providing face-to-face support to their clubs, through to staging a series of national championships for golfers of all ages and abilities, while maintaining the handicap system to enable golfers of differing abilities, men and ladies alike, to compete on a fair and equitable basis.
They strive to promote, develop and govern golf for all generations and without barriers. Supporting clubs to be more welcoming, open and inclusive with a view to increasing membership for all, with a particular emphasis on women and young people; provide the insights, tools and resources that help golf clubs embrace the needs of demographic change, digital transformation and influence cultural change.
