Golf: A Great Way for Military Members and Veterans to Stay Active and Connected
Golf is a great way for military members and veterans to get active and connect with one another. Golf is a low-impact sport enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. Golfing can also be a great way to relieve stress and improve mental health.
5 Benefits of Golf
- Physical activity: Golf is a great way to get exercise. It requires walking, swinging a club, and bending. All of these activities can help to improve cardiovascular health, strength, and flexibility.
- Golf is low impact: It does not involve sudden movements or high-impact collisions. The golf swing is a fluid motion that does not put a lot of stress on the joints. Golfers typically walk (or ride carts around the course), which is also a low-impact activity. Because of this, golf is a good option for people of all ages and fitness levels.
- Mental health: Golf can be a great way to relieve stress and improve mental health. The focus on the game and the challenge of trying to improve can help to take your mind off of your stressors.
- Socialization: Golf is a social sport that brings together people of varying ages and experience. It be a great way to connect with other people and build relationships. Golf can also be a great way to reconnect with old friends and comrades or to meet other veterans.
- Recreation: Golf is often relaxing and a scramble or fundraising event can make it even more enjoyable. It is a great way to spend a day outdoors with friends and family.
Golf Resources for Military Servicemembers and Veterans
There are many resources available for military members and veterans who are interested in golf. Here are a couple top programs and websites for finding events and opportunities:
The PGA of America has a number of programs and resources for military members and veterans, including the PGA HOPE program, which provides free or discounted golf lessons to military members and veterans with disabilities.
The Salute Military Golf Association whose mission is to provide rehabilitative golf programs, experiences, and family inclusive golf opportunities for post 9/11 wounded war veterans in an effort to improve the quality of life for these American heroes.
On Course Foundation provides golf therapy for sick and injured servicemembers and veterans.
Military Tee Times Find tee times, locations and the course fees
We’ve started a list below of upcoming golf events for military and veterans by date. To have your event added to the list, please contact us.
Holes for our Heroes Golf Tournament Date: July 21, 2023, Location: Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego
Supports Patriot Empowerment Institute, supporting veterans in transition from military to civilian life:
APSC 2023 Golf Tournament American Patriots Service Corps, September 14th, Hill AFB, UT
National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic Date: September 10-15, 2023, Riverside, Iowa
Operation: Thank You Date: Oct 11-Nov 11, 2023, Pelican Lakes Golf Club, Windsor, CO
Complimentary golf passes for active military and veterans. Operation Thank You Golf Tournament takes place November 11th: Pelican Lakes Golf Club
Patriotic Golf Tournament (no 2023 date yet):
Operation Vet Fit Date: February 9, 2024, Location: Charleston National Golf Club, Mount Pleasant, SC
Free veteran registration, in support of America’s combat veterans and the fight to stop veteran suicide.
These are just a few of the many golf events that are available for military members and veterans. If you are looking for a way to stay active, connected, and have fun, then we suggest giving gold a try.
Here are some additional tips for beginners:
- Take lessons from a qualified instructor. This will help you learn the basics of the swing and how to hit the ball properly.
- Start with a set of beginner clubs. These clubs are designed for players with slower swing speeds.
- Practice regularly. The more you practice, the better you will become.
- Be patient. It takes time to learn how to play golf well. Don't get discouraged if you don't see improvement right away.
Check out this golf organization that is dedicated to supporting veterans… Links To Freedom | Golf Foundation
Url: https://www.linkstofreedom.org/
About Links To Freedom:
Provide injured military service members, disabled veterans and their immediate family members and personal caregivers with an adaptive golf program taught by PGA and LPGA Professionals to restore a sense of freedom following life-changing events and injuries.
Our primary focus is the Warrior. Assisting in his or her physical, emotional, mental, and social recovery with their loved one’s support is the key to our program. Using golf as a therapeutic tool has been a great model to engage the Warrior and their family with physical exercise in a friendly social environment. Links to Freedom’s suicide prevention record and preemption of harmful behavior efforts have been the pinnacle of our success since 2008. Warrior engagement works and Links to Freedom engages weekly on the links.
There are currently over 3.7 million disabled veterans in the U.S. and many of them are struggling to find a sense of normalcy and a way to reconnect with civilian life and their families.
Because of its proximity to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Fort Belvoir Golf Club’s Head Professional at the time, Steve Greiner, saw the need for a rehabilitative golf program up close. He watched veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with physical and mental wounds of war and thought he could help.
In 2008, Steve established the Fort Belvoir Wounded Warrior Golf Program. In the years since, an operating model has been developed that is compatible with many existing golf programs at military installations as well as private and community golf programs. Using this model, military, private and community golf facilities can increase the number of Wounded Warriors, disabled veterans and their families participating in golf activities, and provide benefit from the program’s rehabilitative effects.
This proven model demonstrates that the golf community, PGA and LPGA of America Golf Professionals, along with corporate America, stand ready to support the Wounded Warriors and Disabled Veteran communities in its mission to care for their own. Additionally, the foundation will bolster and improve Department of Defense golf facilities through partnering agreements with the services’ Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs.
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