IT'S said that golf is a good walk spoiled but that hasn't stopped it from being prescribed to patients as a form of therapy in Fife.

Dunfermline Golf Club is one of four which have taken part in the scheme from St Andrews University School of Medicine and the R&A aiming to improve physical and mental health and wellbeing.

It means that GPs can connect those who they feel would benefit to a relevant club where they will be able to socialise, get outdoors, and practice the sport.

At the West Fife location, this meant a focus on getting together for a chat over coffee and cake alongside a little time out on the course.

Kevin Moran, head PGA professional, explained: "It's based on getting people active and socialising, a lot of them came to us through their GP to get active and get them outdoors.

"We had a large number who came form the charity Breath Easy - people with lung issues - a lot of them had lost a lot of confidence after COVID.

"We did it differently, we targeted to get them socialising and made it a mini coffee morning.

"We did the complete basics of golf and they enjoyed it, a lot had mobility issues, they enjoyed talking about their stories and what they had been through."

The club, in Crossford, has plans to continue the eight-week course in the Spring - the previous session finished shortly before Christmas - when they hope to recruit more participants.

"Some said they wanted to get more fit, to learn a sport, with mobility issues there is a barrier on how much they can do," Kevin continued.

"We did about 30 minutes of golf and walking a short distance, it gets them out the house, gets them socialising.

"This is so good for people's wellbeing, after COVID there are a lot of elderly people who have not been out and about, it's good to have these schemes because you don't realise how lonely these people are.

"The other clubs all did it differently with more golf coaching - a little was perfect for us but also the socialising.

"I think these things can be massive, they'll never tell you they wanted to get out and socialise, it's definitely worth it in the community for getting people more active."

Researchers at St Andrews University developed the model in partnership with The R&A, Fife Golf Trust, NHS Fife, Scottish Golf, PGA Scotland, the European Tour Group and Ladies European Tour to enable primary care professionals and community link workers to prescribe golf for eligible patients.

Around 30 participants were involved across the Kingdom last year with more programmes planned for this spring.