The R&A

Jonathan Edwards driving golf’s health benefits in new R&A role

The R&A

29 Oct 24

3 mins

Jonathan Edwards previously had a passion for sand. Now he looks to avoid it.

Having enjoyed a glittering career as an athlete, the 58-year-old triple jump world record holder has taken his spikes to the fairways – and is simply relishing the sport. Edwards, a CBE, needs little introduction. Having leapt to a mammoth mark of 18.29m at the 1995 Gothenburg World Championships, Edwards has held the world record ever since. He is an Olympic, double World, European, European indoor and Commonwealth champion. Well-known in British sporting circles from a distinguished career, he was a member of the London 2012 Olympic organising committee and has been a regular athletics commentator and presenter. Yet, there is little that now gives him more satisfaction than striking a sweet tee shot down the middle, arcing a 7-iron to two feet or draining a 25-feet putt. The left-hander plays off a Handicap Index of two after all. Post athletics career, the sport has put a new spring in his step, to the extent he openly states, “I’d be lost without golf”.

Growing golf’s reach

Becoming a Global Development Ambassador for The R&A in 2024 has therefore been a natural fit. To attract new audiences to the sport and increase participation, The R&A continues to engage with stars from sport, stage and screen. Music icon Niall Horan, Hollywood actress Kathryn Newton, football star Gareth Bale, major champion Michelle Wie West and rugby great Bryan Habana are all R&A Global Development Ambassadors, using their worldwide appeal – notably on social media – to broaden the sport’s reach. Edwards has joined that notable group. “When I retired from athletics there were two things I wanted to do,” explains Edwards. “One was to go on a skiing holiday and the other was to play golf. “Golf has now become a really important part of my life. I just fell in love with it and now golf is my main thing. The way I approach it has changed. When I first started it was very much a performance thing, working hard on my short game from example, which is from my athletics background. “Now what is important to me is the social element and the mental health and fitness benefits of the game, as opposed to just trying to get the lowest possible score.”

Edwards spent time inspiring young children at The R&A Swingzone during The 152nd Open at Royal Troon and also speaking at a session in the Camping Village.

Benefits of the sport

The dad-of-two is a member at The Northumberland Golf Club near his Newcastle home, yet his journeys north to East Lothian and Fife are much-loved. He recently achieved membership to The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. Playing out in the fresh air, often with friends and family, has meant that he is well-versed in promoting the mental and physical health benefits of golf – an area The R&A has worked hard in across recent years with various published research. “I love the way that a golf course is put together, it’s so aesthetically pleasing, as well as all the benefits you gain from playing” he continues. “Until I saw The R&A research into golf and health I actually wasn’t aware of how good golf is for me. Everything The R&A has been doing around golf and health is music to my ears. It’s interesting because golf has become much more athletic rather than purely skill-based. “I love playing golf, I love playing with my mates in a four-ball and I love being outside, but I didn’t fully appreciate that this was actually really good for my health and fitness. I’d be lost without golf.”

Royal Troon endeavours

At The 152^nd Open at Royal Troon in July, Edwards was integral to The R&A’s health messaging. The Englishman fronted the ‘Walk To Win’ challenge over the Ayrshire links, with spectators simply able to download The Open app for free, head to ‘Walk To Win’, opt in and get moving. Winning a four-ball with Edwards at Troon was one of the top prizes depending on how many steps were walked. “There aren’t many sports where you go and watch and do something that’s actually good for your health – but you can in golf,” noted Edwards. “Like many people I’ve got a fitness watch that tells me my steps, my distances, my calories and heart rate. It’s really quite surprising how much of a workout golf is. It was great to be involved in ‘Walk to Win’.” It was a busy week on site at Royal Troon, with Edwards inspiring young children at The R&A Swingzone and also speaking at a session one evening in the Camping Village. He also attended The Open Performance Summit, a round-table event organised by Dr Andrew Murray, who acts as a health advisor to The R&A and works with the University of Edinburgh and various professional golf tour organisations. Edwards was able to look at the impressive health and performance facilities for players at The Open and provide his own insights from his athletics career. “The thing about golf is that it’s easy fitness for me,” he adds. “It’s not going to prepare me to climb Mount Everest or run a marathon, but in terms of fitness for life I think there’s nothing better.”

Scoring role

Edwards – who credits Seve Ballesteros winning at St Andrews in 1984 as one of his favourite Open memories – was already scheduled to attend The Open, having relished the chance since 2022 to be involved behind the scenes in a scoring role. He explains, “That was my third Open now. I did the flags on the crossovers at the 7^th and 11^th on the Old Course at St Andrews for The 150^th Open in 2022, and then I’ve done Score Control for the last two years which involves keeping an eye on the walking scorers, solving technical issues and controlling the displays on the big manual scoreboards on the iconic 18th grandstands. “I feel part of the team now. We’re like a family and have already planned Royal Portrush next year. There’s something special at The Open about having local clubs involved in pulling together the walking scorers. So to be at Royal Troon and have a role to play, as well as my new role with The R&A, was fantastic. I’d much rather be doing that than just watching.”

Latest Articles

All News