Golf Yourself Healthy

Just over a week ago, two of my fellow “new Dad” friends and I descended on our local Golf club, with a view to playing a few holes on the 18 hole course.Of my two Golf buddies, one of them was entirely new to Golf, the other has taken up the sport within recent years and got the bug for it during the pandemic.Despite the former having never having swung a club before in his life, he fully and confidently embraced the opportunity, with my intention being that we’d play a scramble format, so as to make it more fun and give him an enjoyable introduction to the game.However, when we arrived and approached the front desk to pay a green fee, we were met with an array of barriers to entry. First of all, he did not have his own set of clubs. With no rental sets available (and having been short on time to collect and bring his brother in law’s set, due to having had a chaotically busy work day), this was issue number 1. Secondly, he was not wearing, nor did he own any Golf shoes. Thirdly - and indeed what proved to be the proverbial cardinal sin - he was wearing Jeans. Credit to the Front Desk Assistant, she was neither obtuse, nor ostentatious about the matter, rather she was very matter of fact. The club’s dress code rules clearly state that denim cannot be worn on the golf course.All was not lost, however and indeed the story had a happy ending, as instead we headed across to the Pitch and Putt facility (which, in hindsight, was probably the ideal set-up for our resident beginner).Nonetheless, both during and after playing, the three of us debated the subject of dress codes and asked ourselves a number of questions, including:“How did such stringent dress codes get here in the first place?”“Why is Denim not allowed on the course?”“Should the criteria for dress codes be dependant on the profile and “aspirational” nature of the Golf club in question?”As we set about setting the world to rights, a thought occurred to me…Jack and I must take up our microphones and debate the subject, for our latest GBA episode.Here are just a few clips from our conversation (full video episode at the top of this post):Jeans are ok in the corporate world…why not in Golf? (37 seconds)Imposter syndrome in Golf doesn’t discriminate based on age! (36 seconds)Nevermind the Jeans, what about the pathways for beginner Golfers? (35 seconds)Thanks for reading Golf Yourself Healthy! This post is public so feel free to share it.If this article has inspired you to break with convention, then you’ll definitely want to check out Vice Golf and their modern, sleek and progressive range of apparel. After all, nothing makes the natives restless like turning up at your local Golf club wearing a hoodie!!!Vice’s entire backstory and origins are based around challenging the status quo, something which you will see reflected in not only their clothing range, but in their Golf clubs, balls and accessories too.Use this link to score yourself a discount - they have some incredible deals on at the moment!Before you go, make sure you check out the following articles from National Club Golfer, the first from 2015 and the second more recently published in 2024 (just going to show how this debate has raged on for many, many years!!!)https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/tour/tour/the-great-dress-code-debate/https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/club/features/golf-dress-codes-jeans-debate/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit golfyourselfhealthy.substack.com

With the action about to get underway at Augusta for the 2025 edition of The Masters, Jack McAuliffe and I reflect on the all important question: what is the healthiest meal ever to have been served at the Champions Dinner?Forget all the hype about “is it going to be Rory Mcilroy’s year”, we really chew the fat on the important stuff, such as:* The time Haggis, Neaps and Tatties was on the menu* The most uninspiring dish ever served at The Masters Champions dinner, courtesy of Nick Faldo* Why Hideki Matsuyama is everyone’s favourite dinner companionBeyond Augusta, we also tease what’s to come in Season 4 of the GYH podcast, as well as dissecting some of the key themes heard at the 3rd International Congress on Golf and Healthy, and debating whether mass participation in Golf is happening at the expense of identifying and prioritising elite talent. Thanks for reading Golf Yourself Healthy! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit golfyourselfhealthy.substack.com

Whilst you are reading and listening to this over your Saturday morning coffee, I currently find myself en-route to the 3rd International Congress on Golf and Health, being hosted in Edinburgh on Monday 31 March and Tuesday 1 April. It is a tremendous honour and privilege to have been invited to this event. It will serve not only as a brilliant platform for me to network and engage with some of the leading academic and professional scholars in the field of Golf and Health, but also an opportunity for me to tell the GYH story and hopefully inspire people with the work we are doing. Please check out the event programme here and let me know in the comments of this article, whether there are any sessions you’d especially like me to attend and hear more about. Asides previewing the event, Jack and I also get into chatting about some other Golf, Health and Wellbeing related matters, including:* The impact of stress on our nutrition habits * Overcoming imposter syndrome* Why everyone belongs in Golf* Question: Are Golf Influencers good for the game?The Golf and Health Congress will focus on maximising health benefits through the game of golf. Sessions will cover topics such as the impact of golf on well-being, the role of golf clubs as health-promoting facilities, and the concept of “golf on prescription.” Delegates will also delve into key topics like injury prevention and management, adaptations for disabled golfers, nutrition, strength, conditioning, and insights tailored for female golfers. From examining specific injuries to learning shot-saving techniques from professionals, this conference will provide essential tools for integrating golf as a health-enhancing activity.Thanks for reading Golf Yourself Healthy! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit golfyourselfhealthy.substack.com

This week, Kris makes a startling admission about the recent (mis)management of his health and wellbeing.Meanwhile, we engage in a debate about whether indoor Golf venues are truly “growing the game” (or rather just cashing in on Golf’s growing popularity), whilst we also share some musings about Season 3 of Full Swing on Netflix."Golf Buddies Aloud" is a podcast brought to you by Golf Yourself Healthy. Join GYH founder, Kris Lynch and special guest, Jack McAuliffe, for relaxed, informal chats about Golf, Health and Wellbeing. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit golfyourselfhealthy.substack.com

On 18th February 2024 - exactly one year following the passing of my son Innes - I launched Golf Yourself Healthy.To celebrate all of this, I invited my friend and fellow GYH community member, Jack Mcauliffe, to reflect on Year 1, as well as to celebrate Innes’ 2nd heavenly birthday.As much as we value deep, meaningful and philosophical conversations on this podcast, no episode would be complete without a small dose of light-hearted humour sprinkled in for good measure.To top it all off, we even had fireworks during this episode recording…Chapters00:00 Introduction and Exciting Announcements02:51 Vice Golf balls are the bees knees10:51 Today's agenda12:58 Exploring Vulnerability and Healthy Habits13:28 Kris and his 5 revolutionary holes of Golf 20:57 Developing Reliable Golf Habits39:23 Reflections from Selena Samuela episode of GYH Podcast57:05 Remembering Innes on his 2nd birthday 01:10:28 Divorced, Single or Separated and looking for love in Golf? Look no further...01:14:43 Wrap up This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit golfyourselfhealthy.substack.com

Use the GYH Substack link in show notes, to watch the full video version of the podcast, as well as to access exclusive weekly content and member discounts with leading Golf brands. Dave Jones is a man of many talents. Many will recognise him as an elite TV presenter, in his role as Sky Sports Lead Football presenter, hosting flagship programmes such as Super Sunday and Monday Night Football. However, here at GYH, we know of Dave as an aspiring Golfer, who has a healthy love for the game, as well as a burning desire to continue his game improvement journey. In a far reaching conversation, Kris Lynch invites Dave to reflect on:06:00 Achieving a Single Figure Handicap09:01 The benefits of finding a good Golf coach 14:02 Playing with European Ryder Cup Captain, Luke Donald, at BMW Pro-am at Wentworth28:03 Growing a Golf following on Social Media 35:38 Golf Charity Day in support of Blood Cancer UK 40:44 What makes Golf such a healthy and relaxing pursuit This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit golfyourselfhealthy.substack.com

Brought to you by Golf Yourself Healthy, “Golf Buddies Aloud” is a supplementary podcast format, which is available in both audio video for GYH Substack subscribers. It accompanies our main flagship podcast, which is available on all major podcasting platforms.In this special episode, Kris is joined by his Golf Buddies, Mark Horyna and Emil Weber, Editors of Depeche Golf, to discuss the recent publication of Kris' article "The Maddening Crowd".Make sure you are subscribed to the GYH Substack and leave a comment on this episode, to be in with a chance of winning a free copy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit golfyourselfhealthy.substack.com

Danny Clark, founder of Florio Golf, understands that talking about mental health isn’t always easy—especially if you’re someone who tends to keep things to yourself. As a former competitive golfer who’s faced his own mental health challenges, Danny discovered that golf became more than just a scorecard; it turned into a way to unwind, reflect, and enjoy genuine conversations without the usual pressure.Florio Golf was born from a simple idea: to make mental health a regular part of the conversation in golf. The goal is to break the stigma by creating a space where golfers can talk openly, check in with each other, and feel supported, without turning every round into a therapy session.In final episode of Season 2 of the GYH podcast, Kris and Danny get into all things Golf, Mental Health and much more.Chapters00:00 Introduction 04:57 Danny's Journey in Golf: From Germany to the US06:58 Cultural Perspectives on Golf: Germany, US, and UK09:40 Evolving Mindset: From Competitive Golf to Enjoyment12:31 Balancing Golf and Content Creation: A Personal Challenge15:09 The Birth of Florio Golf: A New Mental Health Initiative17:13 Facing Mental Health Challenges: Danny's Story19:51 The Impact of Environment on Mental Health22:10 Breaking the Stigma: Opening Up About Mental Health23:24 Florio Golf: Creating a Supportive Community29:20 Golf as a Medium for Connection32:49 The Therapeutic Benefits of Golf35:45 Personal Growth Through Golf41:21 Navigating Competition and Mental Health42:57 The Joys and Challenges of Fatherhood48:10 Pursuing Passion Over Financial Security 📚Episode links and resourcesJoin the GYH CommunityGYH InstagramFlorio Golf Instagram This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit golfyourselfhealthy.substack.com

As newcomers, Golfing environments can sometimes feel foreboding and intimidating, so much so that it’s easy to convince ourselves we don’t belong there. However, with a bit of self-belief and the right role models to look up to, we can soon feel right at home in Golf…This week’s guest is Genelle Aldred, an experienced Broadcast Journalist and Communications Consultant, who combines her professional expertise with a love for Golf.In January 2023, Genelle wrote about her Golfing journey in The Observer, a piece which was described by the R&A as a “love letter to Golf”. Since then, she has written extensively for Golf media publications, documenting her own playing experiences, as well as advocating for Diversity and Inclusion.After playing 9 holes of Golf at the picturesque Essendon Country Club, Kris and Genelle sat down for a wide ranging conversation, covering various themes including:👉🏻 Why everyone should feel like they belong in Golf👉🏻 How to show up confidently in Golf and in life👉🏻 How privately owned Golf clubs like Essendon Country Club are leading the way in exceptional customer experience👉🏻 Why Golf could benefit from thinking “outside of the box” to attract more newcomers👉🏻 The challenges which Golf influencers face in preserving good mental health and enjoyment from the game🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Join the GYH Community - https://www.golfyourselfhealthy.com/community📚Episode links and resourceshttps://www.gbqdigital.com/features/inspiration-golf-yourself-healthy?dm_i=4RU1,Z08I,5VJQSS,4IM5A,1https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/jan/07/how-golf-got-its-swing-back-ignore-the-stereotypes-anyone-can-enjoy-the-sporthttps://www.instagram.com/genellealdred?igsh=em13bmI1OXBydWpo This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit golfyourselfhealthy.substack.com

Mental Health matters, whether you’re an everyday Golfer, or a professional playing at the highest level. That is a view held not only by ourselves here at GYH, but also by this week’s guest, Dr Ian Peek.Ian is a Master PGA Professional - a recognition of excellence which the PGA bestows on only a select few members - who recently completed a PhD in Social Psychology, examining the mental health challenges faced by some of the world's best golfers.As part of his research, he interviewed 16 tour professionals, including Ryder Cup players and past champions on the DP World Tour. In his findings, it transpired that 50% of the players cited long-term depression and anxiety, with some even experiencing it whilst operating at the highest level of the game. In a far-reaching conversation, Kris and Ian explore:👉🏻 How are attitudes towards and discussions about Mental Health evolving within Golf? 👉🏻 How can we get enjoyment from Golf, whilst still striving for high performance?👉🏻 How can club golfers set effective and realistic goals to improve their game?👉🏻 What role do parents play in supporting young athletes?00:00 Episode Intro02:00 Introducing Ian Peek: Master PGA Professional05:48 The Challenges of Elite Golfers06:22 Balancing Social and Competitive Golf17:44 Insights from Ian's PhD Research20:02 Mental Health and Performance in Professional Golf33:07 The Struggles of Admitting Defeat33:47 Grieving in the Public Eye34:42 The Role of Managers in Mental Health37:09 Generational Perspectives on Mental Health38:53 Changing Attitudes in Professional Golf39:36 Personal Experiences with Anxiety50:19 The Importance of Realistic Goal Setting53:08 Encouraging Children in Sports❓About the Show:At Golf Yourself Healthy, we believe that Golf is Good for you. Through the power of Storytelling, the GYH Podcast invites guests from a wide range of backgrounds - including Golf professionals, health practitioners, influencers and public figures - to discuss how Golf can positively impact our Health and Wellbeing.🔗 Websitewww.golfyourselfhealthy.com📧 Get in touch on e-mailkris@golfyourselfhealthy.com🔎 Follow us on Social Mediainstagram.com/golfyourselfhealthy📚Episode links and resourceshttps://www.pga.info/news/pga-pro-peek-driving-a-better-understanding-of-mental-illness-with-phd-study/https://www.pga.info/news/peek-awarded-top-pga-honour/https://www.tandpcoaching.com/https://www.instagram.com/drianpeekcoaching?igsh=OW5md20wN21xMjk5 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit golfyourselfhealthy.substack.com

Are you “Fit for Golf”? Or is your fitness the thing which is actually holding you back from being the best Golfer you can be? This week’s guest is Ed Voss, a Chartered Physiotherapist and Golf Fitness specialist, who is on a mission to help Golfers achieve peak performance and stay injury free. As a fully subscribed member of the GYH community, we also invite Ed to share his own beginnings in Golf and what the game means to him personally.In this episode, we cover:👉🏻 Golf fitness - what is it and why should you do it?👉🏻 How warming up before a round of Golf can shave shots off your scorecard 👉🏻 Why personal accountability and consistency are so vital in your Golf fitness plan👉🏻 What makes Golf so unique (as compared with other sports) ❓About the Show:At Golf Yourself Healthy, we believe that Golf is Good for you. Through the power of Storytelling, the GYH Podcast invites guests from a wide range of Golfing backgrounds to discuss how Golf can positively impact our Health and Wellbeing.📧 Get in touch on e-mailkris@golfyourselfhealthy.com🔗 GYH Website www.golfyourselfhealthy.com📔 GYH Journalwww.golfyourselfhealthy.com/journal🎧 Listen on Audio Listen on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0L379bGvlmx069xF1cmIbQ?si=aJRDptqYREuzsk4wXKz7SAListen on Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/golf-yourself-healthy/id1729607964Also available on most other major podcasting platforms 📝 Write a Review Please leave a 5 star review on your podcast platform of choice 🔎 Follow us on Social Media Instagram - instagram.com/golfyourselfhealthyX - https://twitter.com/gyhpod📚Episode links and resources https://www.instagram.com/edvossphysio?igsh=MXY2NHdrb3p6dm53aw==https://swing-fit.co.uk/about-us/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit golfyourselfhealthy.substack.com

Formed in 2012, Fling Golf bills itself as a natural, fun and athletic alternative to traditional Golf. It’s growing in global reach and popularity, with more than 2,000 golf courses in 35 countries embracing this new format.To break it all down for us, we invited World Number 1 Men’s Professional Fling Golfer, Austin Ebersole (aka Showtime Flings) to the show.Austin’s personal story is one of determination, overcoming adversity and resilience. With a fun-loving and larger than life personality - coupled with a committed Christian faith - Austin is a man on a mission to take himself and his sport to new heights and to inspire others while on the journey.❓About the Show:At Golf Yourself Healthy, we believe that Golf is Good for you. Through the power of Storytelling, the GYH Podcast invites guests and Community members to discuss how Golf is positively impacting their Health and Wellbeing. This serves our mission of improving the diversity and accessibility of the game for both current and future generations of Golfers.📧 Get in touch on e-mailkris@golfyourselfhealthy.com🎧 Listen on AudioListen on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0L379bGvlmx069xF1cmIbQ?si=aJRDptqYREuzsk4wXKz7SAListen on Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/golf-yourself-healthy/id1729607964Also available on most other major podcasting platforms📝 Write a ReviewPlease leave a 5 star review on your podcast platform of choice🔎 Follow us on Social MediaInstagram - instagram.com/golfyourselfhealthyX - https://twitter.com/gyhpod🔗 Websitewww.golfyourselfhealthy.com📔 Journalswww.golfyourselfhealthy.com/journal📚Episode links and resourceshttps://flinggolf.com/https://www.instagram.com/showtime_flings?igsh=YXZvandkZXFlb3Rh This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit golfyourselfhealthy.substack.com

At GYH, we love to reflect and to find deeper meaning in our of game Golf, so that we can take its teachings and apply them into our daily lives.In this solo episode, Kris Lynch shares 14 reflections that you can take and apply to your own game. Drawing on his own personal experiences, as well as reflecting on key themes which have come up through invited GYH podcast guests, both past and future, he touches on various themes, including:🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 The importance of Finding your People🤷🏻‍♂️ Why is it important to embrace and make ambiguity our friend, in both Golf and Life? 🏆 Exploring the meaning behind the great Arnold Palmer’s famous quote “Winning isn’t everything , but wanting it is” ❓About GYH:At GYH, our community is brought together around one simple, core belief: Golf is Good For You. The GYH Podcast and Journal bring to life Golf’s unique Health and Wellbeing benefits, through the power of Storytelling and Community Spirit. This serves our mission of improving the accessibility, diversity and inclusivity of the game for both current and future generations of Golfers. 📧 Get in touch on e-mailkris@golfyourselfhealthy.com🎧 Listen on Audio Listen on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0L379bGvlmx069xF1cmIbQ?si=aJRDptqYREuzsk4wXKz7SAListen on Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/golf-yourself-healthy/id1729607964📝 Write a Review Please leave a 5 star review on your podcast platform of choice 🔎 Follow us on Social Media Instagram - instagram.com/golfyourselfhealthyX - https://twitter.com/gyhpod🔗 Website www.golfyourselfhealthy.com📔 Journals www.golfyourselfhealthy.com/journal This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit golfyourselfhealthy.substack.com