Maximising and evaluating the uptake, use and impact of golf and health studies

Abstract

IntroductionThe dissemination of research, and evaluation of its impact is an increasing priority for the scientific community and funders. We take the topic of golf and health and aim to outline processes that may contribute to improved research uptake, use and impact proposing a research impact (RI) tool. We then evaluate our published research using the Research Contributions Framework (RCF).MethodsBuilding on existing research and frameworks we i) assessed the need for, ii) carried out and iii) published research, before iv) creating digital resources, v) sharing these resources widely and vi) evaluating our research.To evaluate uptake, use and impact of our three principal golf and health research outputs, we performed a contributions analysis, using the RCF first proposed by Morton.Results/DiscussionWe developed a specific six-step Research Impact tool. Having implemented this, research uptake and use included over 300 press articles, a dedicated website and social media channels. Golf’s global industry leadership dispersed information across >150 countries, embedded golf and health into curricula for industry professionals and used leading tournaments to promote health. National policy makers hosted dedicated meetings regarding golf and health and began to implement policy change.ConclusionTo date, strong uptake and use can be demonstrated for these studies, while a final contribution to impact requires further time to determine.Frameworks we used aiming to maximise impact (Research Impact tool) and evaluate its contribution to uptake, use and impact (Research Contribution Framework) could potentially add value to public health/sports medicine researchers.

Golf and Health, More than 18 Holes—A Bibliometric Analysis

“…A total of 100 articles were published from 2008 to 2020 that relate golf and health. Of these 100 publications, 41 matched both databases [ 10 , 15 , 16 , 19 , 20 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 30 , 37 , 40 , 41 , 46 , 47 , 76 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 88 , 104 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 , 137 , 138 , 139 , 140 , 141 , 142 , 143 , 144 , 145 , 146 , 147 , 148 , 149 , 150 ].…”

“…Additionally, in 2020, in two separate studies, Murray and Hawkes, together with other authors, investigated ways to evaluate and maximize the impacts of research on golf and health [ 149 ] and the methodology used for an International Consensus statement on golf and health [ 150 ]. Both articles were in the two databases.…”

“…The work framed within the Golf and Health Project, promoted by two organizations of international importance in the world of golf—The Royal and Ancient and the World Golf Foundation [ 149 , 150 ]—is striking. The project aims to raise awareness among the general public and those responsible in public institutions about the health benefits of golf.…”