STEVE DeSHAZO: Golf may not be as stress-free as you think (2024)

For many people, a round of golf is an escape from life’s problems.

Fresh air, exercise, socializing with friends — what’s not to like? Yes, a few duck-hooks off the tee or needing three shots to escape a sand trap can raise your blood pressure (or result in bent irons).

But if it weren’t a mostly positive experience, we’d stop playing.

“There’s a wealth of evidence, using robust, scientific methods, to show the benefits of ‘green exercise’ — exercise in the natural outdoors — compared to exercise indoors, including the gym,” Professor Jenny Roe, an environmental psychologist and Director of University of Virginia’s Center for Design & Health, told the website goldandhealth.org.

“When you step into a green space, there’s a number of things that happen with both your physiology and your psychology. Your parasympathetic nervous system kicks in — the system that’s associated with relaxation — and your stress physiology actually changes. You literally manage stress more efficiently when you are in a green space.”

Most of all, for those who can afford it, simply being away from work for a few hours is the biggest benefit of all.

But what about those for whom golf is their business? It’s not always fun and games.

In the past two weeks, we’ve seen examples of the toll competition takes on even elite golfers.

Grayson Murray, the world’s 58th-ranked golfer, abruptly quit with two holes left in the second round of last weekend’s PGA Tour event in Fort Worth, Texas. The next day, he committed suicide, according to his family, who spoke of Murray’s struggles with alcohol and depression.

Three days later, 29-year-old Lexi Thompson surprisingly announced her impending retirement from the competitive version of what’s supposed to be a “lifetime” sport. She cited mental health issues as a factor in a decision.

“I’ve only known golf as my life,” Thompson, who played in her first U.S. Women’s Open at age 12, told reporters in Lancaster, Pa. “So it’s nice to branch out and be able to enjoy other things.”

Like many of the world’s top players, Murray and Thompson often made golf look easy. Anyone who has tried the sport knows it’s usually not.

Just ask Nelly Korda, the world’s No. 1-ranked woman who entered this year’s Women’s Open with six victories in her previous seven starts. She hit three balls into the water on No. 12 Thursday, took a 10 and missed the cut.

Thanks in large part to the unscrupulous Saudis, there’s plenty of money in professional golf, and plenty of attention. The Notorious B.I.G. probably wasn’t thinking about golf when he rapped “Mo Money, Mo Problems,” but it does apply.

As Thompson pointed out, even the best golfers don’t win many trophies, even if their bank accounts benefit. That can be hard on the psyche, which is why another U.Va. psychology professor, Bob Rotella, has been in big demand on the PGA Tour over the years.

And even if Phil Mickelson won a PGA Championship at age 50 in 2021, the window for success usually isn’t that wide. Just ask David Duvall, who was supposed to be Tiger Woods’ top rival after winning 13 events between 1997 and 2001 — and none since.

Top female golfers like Thompson are often thrust into the spotlight early, and rarely escape stumbles. Michelle Wie (now West) played in the PGA Tour’s Sony Open against the guys at age 14 in 2004 and now is seemingly happily retired after recently having a second child at 34.

And even if you don’t count Scottie Scheffler’s brush with the law at the recent PGA Championship, golf has become more far political, given the strife over LIV Golf and the silly feud between Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau.

Of course, stress isn’t limited to golf. Simone Biles, Michael Phelps and Naomi Osaka are among those who have spoken publicly about their struggles with mental health in hopes of encouraging others (athletes or otherwise) to seek help when needed.

So remember that doing anything competitively brings some level of stress, whether it’s a 12-foot putt to win the Masters, an overtime free throw or the final round of cornhole.

After missing the cut at her final U.S. Women’s Open cut, Thompson was asked what she would say to her 12-year-old self as she played her first one.

“I would say probably just enjoy life,” Thompson said with emotion in her voice. “Just be grateful for everything that you have in your life. Enjoy every experience that you get to make just being out here.”