Health Wellness and Golf

David DonatucciDirector of Fitness and Performance

PGA of America

Health and Wellness

• Health is defined as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity“– Intrinsic relationship between the good of the

body and the good of the self

• Wellness is a multidimensional state of being describing the existence of positive health in an individual as exemplified by quality of life and a sense of well-being.” Charles B. Corbin

Health and Wellness

• According to the CDC 35% of Americans are obese and 70% are obese or overweight

• Children 20% are obese and another 15% are at risk– Individuals aged 2-19

Health and Wellness

• Childhood Obesity– Most live in households with income at or

above 130% of poverty (62%)– Incidence of obesity is significantly lower

when head of household has at least a college degree

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBehavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1991

(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%

Health and Wellness

• Lifestyle trends/inventions or upgrades– 1976 HBO and Turner network Television– 1979 ESPN – 1980 Remote control for television– 1983 Motorola cell phone, Compaq laptop– 1984 Microwave popcorn – 1991 Big Bertha Driver– 1999 Blackberry and TiVo

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 2001

(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% ≥25%

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 2010

(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

2000

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. AdultsBRFSS, 1990, 2000, 2010

(*BMI 30, or about 30 lbs. overweight for 5’4” person)

2010

1990

No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

Health and Wellness

• Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

• In a population-based sample of 5- to 17-year-olds, 70% of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

• Obese adolescents are more likely to have prediabetes

Health and Wellness

• Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem

• Increase in health care coverage– Reactive or proactive

Health and Wellness and Brain

• Relationship between food, physical activity, and learning is hardwired into the brain’s circuitry.

• Sedentary character of modern life is a disruption of our nature, and it poses one of the biggest threats to our continued survival.

Health and Wellness

• Exercise increases levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine — important neurotransmitters that traffic in thoughts and emotions.

Why Exercise/activity?

• Exercise unleashes a cascade of neurochemicals and growth factors, physically bolstering the brain’s infrastructure. The neurons in the brain connect to one another through “leaves” on treelike branches, and exercise causes those branches to grow and bloom with new buds, thus enhancing brain function at a fundamental level

Health and Wellness-Solution

• Golf

• Programs that increase physical activity

• Create Fundamental movement activity for children and adults

• Organized play

• Fun activities for “kids” of all ages

• Outdoor and indoor activities for all

Health and Wellness Solutions Golf

• Caloric expenditure when you play– Approximately 2000 per 18 holes walking– Approximately 1200 per 18 riding

• 10,000 steps per day recommended

• Stability, mobility, postural control when playing the game

Golf for Health and Life

• Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh determined caloric expenditure is approximately 2,000 calories for walking and carrying clubs (18 holes)

• Walking 18 holes can also meet the daily recommendation of 10,000 steps (five miles)

• Goal is to introduce non-golfers to the game as a fun, affordable, healthy option for families and to get those who already playing to realize the health and wellness benefits

17

Physical Activity

• According to PE4life, daily physical education = 50% improvement in reading

• Dr. John Ratey Harvard Brain researcher calls exercise Miracle Gro for the brain

Junior Development

• Parents want places that are “safe” for their child to play– John Walsh

• Parents will pay for play– My gym; organized sports; soccer; karate

• Place to expend energy

Junior Development

• Outside of element– Playground equipment– Childhood games at various facility– Parent child activities– Play care areas

• Coordinate efforts with current sports organizations, Ymca, Boys and Girls club, county programs etc

Fundamental Movement

PGA Sports Academy Program

• Ages 5-9 participation is 60% physical and 40% near golf experiences– Birdie ball, SNAG, Tri-Golf, T-Golf, – Jump rope, relay races, throwing activities,

kicking, dribbling– Games; soft polo, mini-soccer, T-ball, flag

football, snag baseball, ultimate ball/frisbee

• Teach movement not teachnique

PGA Sports Academy

PGA Sports Academy

• Ages 9-12 participation is 40% physical and 60% golf or near golf experience– Chipping, pitching, putting, small course play

(20-75 yards)– Fundamental movement skills, movement

development, jumping, skipping, power

• Skill introduction

PGA Sports Academy

• Minimal or maximal cost involved in operation

• Course or range option or in a field

• High energy for kids and FUN atmosphere

• Large or small group programs

• Parents can participate with the kids

Golf for Health and Life

• Communicate Golf’s health & wellness benefits that individuals and families can enjoy over a lifetime

• Golf provides health & wellness benefits for a lifetime.

• Good health & wellness programs will improve your golf performance.

• Golf Courses provide the perfect environment to enjoy health & wellness activities as a family.

Health and Wellness

• Nutritional offerings at the course/ practice facility

• Warm-up area

• Alternative perks, water bottles, snack items, healthy choices

Golf For Health and Life

• PGA Fitness Trail” which will consist of 18 fitness/wellness tips that can be used on scorecards, yardage books etc. to have resource available to members

• Speed Golf or Kwik Golf, score and time played is counted

• Healthy menu options at facilities, create a rating system for people.

PGA of America Programs and Tactics

• Education components released at PGA Merchandise Show to add health and wellness programs to facilities.

• “Let’s Move on Course” promotion at PGA Championships

• Utilize Sections and their Junior Golf Programs to create additional programs and educate families on health and wellness.

Programs and Tactics

• Build promotion around the month of May (National Physical Fitness and Sports Month), as well as new year’s resolutions

• Use holidays for promotions; – Turkey trot, jungle bell run, Bunny hop, Easter egg hunt,

couples day, summer solstice,

• Other promotion days, run back the clock, play back, – Daylight savings activity

Programs and Tactics

• Golf/parks provides a peaceful and beautiful environment with nature to have facilities host Yoga, stretching or walking classes.

• Collaborate with other organizations YMCA’s, youth organizations, grade schools, fundraising activities

• Utilize the “GIVE” program model to communicate health & wellness benefits for disabled Veterans.

Program and Tactics

• Challenges, most balls hit in a week, most steps taken on a golf course, most days at the facility

• Utilize pedometers for tracking progress and activity.– Team up with Media Partner.– Perhaps a personal milestone “I walked 100 miles at the Golf

Course.” When you reach your goal you are entered into a sweepstakes.

– Create website to host tracking. Each person who registers their steps receives a “certificate” and other benefits.

• Utilize social media to go viral

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF AMERICA

• PGA of America partnered with the Boys and Girls Club to pilot the PGA Sports Academy in Louisville, Atlanta and the Boca Raton Boys and Girls Clubs

• Locations host five classes with PGA Professional instruction targeting club members ages 9-14

• The PGA Professional and Boys and Girls Club work together to schedule a field trip to a local golf courses for an on-course golf experience

33

HEALTHY WEIGHT COMMITMENTFOUNDATION

• Partnered with HWCF to broaden the awareness of HWCF’s energy balance message

• Works with the HWCF to promote its “Play Golf America” campaign

• An extension of The PGA’s commitment to support the “Let’s Move!” initiative

34

PRESIDENT’S CHALLENGE PROGRAM• The golf industry is in support of

promoting the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA)

• “Ad hoc” league of junior programs conducted by the 41 Sections and grass roots PGA Members is the sport's largest outreach to juniors

• The PGA will encourage membership to add PALA to their current junior programing

35

The Future of the Game

Questions?

David Donatucci

Director of Fitness and Performance PGA of America

ddonatucci@pgahq.com

772-468-1852