Golf fans stride towards better health with 10,000 steps on course

The majority of golf fans walk more than 10,000 steps while spectating at a tournament, a new survey has shown.

Spectators at the Paul Lawrie Match Play event at Archerfield Links, East Lothian, averaged about 11,500 steps per day, researchers found.

The NHS has challenged people to walk 10,000 steps a day and many fitness trackers set the number as a daily target.

The 2016 study was the first to use pedometer data to assess golf spectators' physical activity, and it found men took about 1,800 more steps each day than women.

Spectators rated exercise and physical activity as important reasons for attending golf tournaments, and 60% said they would like to be more active.

Fans also said attending events allows them to enjoy being in the fresh air, spend time with friends and family, as well as watch star players.

Researcher Andrew Murray, from Edinburgh University, said: Walking is one of the best things you can do for your health, adding years to life and increasing health and happiness.

These pilot findings show that golf spectators can gain physical activity which could benefit their health - while watching top-quality sport at close quarters.''

The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, is part of the Golf and Health Project led by the World Golf Foundation.