Searching for connection

Imagine this scenario: John moves to Madison, Wisconsin. He wants to expand his social circle, so he takes up golf. Moving to a new city invites new experiences, but it also invites loneliness. John is acutely aware of both.
Janice also moves to Madison. With the same motivations as John, she turns to golf to fill some of her social needs. Their independent decisions to use golf as a means of connecting with a community make sense –– The R&A rightly touts golf’s myriad benefits.
There is only one snag: Based on new research I conducted with a colleague for Gather, it is unlikely that John and Janice will benefit equally from playing golf in their new community. Who do you think the game benefits most?
Before answering that question, let’s take a step back.

The recent pandemic has made us recognize how important social interactions are for our mental wellbeing. The pandemic has also helped us recognize what a great conduit golf is for social connections. It’s not unusual to hear anecdotal stories about golf helping people navigate...