New golf programme for people with dementia launched in St Andrews

A new pilot programme called Linked Together is being hosted by St Andrews Links Trust in collaboration with local golf clubs and supported by “Fore” Get Me Not Golf.

Initiated by The St Rule Club and supported by St Regulus Golf Club, New Golf Club, The R&A and Thistle Golf Club, the programme has been launched at a time when around 90,000 people in Scotland are currently living with dementia.

The six-week pilot is scheduled to take place from 8 April, with an initial group of nine participants. Each week, sessions will consist of one hour of golf activities at The Craigtoun Course practice facilities, with one week on the Himalayas, followed by refreshments and socialising at the Links Clubhouse.

Golf is increasingly recognised as one of the most effective activities available to people living with dementia, combining physical exercise, mental stimulation, and social connection.

Aim to ‘ensure anyone who wants to play golf can do so’

“One of our core missions at St Andrews Links Trust is to ensure anyone who wants to play golf can do so, no matter their circumstances,” said Christine Randall-Klee, Community Engagement Lead at St Andrews Links Trust.

“With support from our local clubs and specialist guidance from “Fore” Get Me Not Golf, Linked Together does exactly that, bringing together participants, carers, volunteers and the clubs at the Home of Golf to break down barriers to participation and build a more dementia-friendly society.”

Approximately 40 volunteers from the local clubs have been recruited to provide dedicated, one-to-one support for every participant.

“Thousands of people across Scotland are currently living with dementia, and each one of them will have had hobbies and interests before their diagnosis,” said Marion Todd, former captain of The St Rule Club.

“We want Linked Together to support people to continue with those things that bring them joy and use golf as a way to help those in our community.

“We are proud St Andrews Links Trust and the other golf clubs have joined us to make this pilot programme a reality and hope it gives participants and their carers a real sense of support and connection.”