title: The relationship and effects of golf on physical and mental health: a scoping review protocol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Golf is a sport played in 206 countries worldwide by over 50 million people. It is possible that participation in golf, which is a form of physical activity, may be associated with effects on longevity, the cardiovascular, metabolic and musculoskeletal systems, as well as on mental health and well-being. We outline our scoping review protocol to examine the relationships and effects of golf on physical and mental health.
  
  
  METHODS
  Best practice methodological frameworks suggested by Arksey and O'Malley, Levac et al and the Joanna Briggs Institute will serve as our guide, providing clarity and rigour. A scoping review provides a framework to (1) map the key concepts and evidence, (2) summarise and disseminate existing research findings to practitioners and policymakers and (3) identify gaps in the existing research. A three-step search strategy will identify reviews as well as original research, published and grey literature. An initial search will identify suitable search terms, followed by a search using keyword and index terms. Two reviewers will independently screen identified studies for final inclusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We will map key concepts and evidence, and disseminate existing research findings to practitioners and policymakers through peer-reviewed and non-peer reviewed publications, conferences and in-person communications. We will identify priorities for further study. This method may prove useful to examine the relationships and effects of other sports on health.
authors.affiliation: Physical Activity for Health Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.affiliation: Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Daines
authors.affiliation: Scottish Collaboration for Public Health Research and Policy, University of Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Archibald
authors.affiliation: European Tour Golf, Virginia Water, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hawkes
authors.affiliation: Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grant
authors.affiliation: Physical Activity for Health Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mutrie
mesh_terms: D016208:Databases, Factual; D006055:Golf / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D012107:Research Design; D000098584:Scoping Reviews as Topic
keywords: Exercise; Golf; Physical activity; Review; Sporting injuries