How Golf Became Therapy and Why Lived Experience Matters
- Marty Turcios
- Jul 13
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
From War Wounds to Wellness: How Golf Became Unexpected Therapy
Imagine returning from war with a missing limb, haunted by trauma, and trying to rebuild a life that no longer feels like yours. That was the reality for thousands of World War II veterans. And the solution? Surprisingly—golf.
After WWII, a simple, quiet game became a bridge back to life. With the help of the Red Cross, the Amputee Golf Association was born. It wasn’t about scorecards or trophies. It was about healing. Beyond medical treatments, they needed help adapting to life with artificial limbs, dealing with public perceptions of disability, and simply finding their place again in society.
Golf offered movement, purpose, and—most importantly—a way for wounded veterans to reconnect with themselves and each other. What started on hospital grounds and adapted courses quietly evolved into what we now know as Therapeutic Recreation.
My latest research paper explores this topic further and differentiates various approaches to therapeutic golf.
Why We Still Seek Proof (and What We're Overlooking)
Fast forward 75 years. Therapeutic Recreation is a respected field, with programs in hospitals, clinics, and communities worldwide. But here's the strange part:
We’re still chasing proof that golf is “therapeutic.”
Studies are underway. Data is being collected. Yet, many of those writing the reports aren’t golfers themselves—or haven’t lived with a disability. That creates a disconnect.
How can you fully grasp the therapeutic power of golf without ever holding a club or navigating life with limited mobility? Therapy isn’t always something you can measure in numbers. Sometimes it’s found in the moment a participant laughs for the first time in weeks—or hits a golf ball further than they ever thought possible. That’s the kind of proof that comes from lived experience—not from charts. This highlights a crucial point in all therapeutic work: we must truly understand and respect the individual, real-life experiences of those we aim to help.
My Life: Golfing with Cerebral Palsy for 55 Years
I’ve had Cerebral Palsy my entire life. And I’ve been playing golf for over five decades. Not in a rehab center. Not under supervision. Just… playing. I’ve learned more about movement, balance, self-discipline, and resilience on the driving range than in any therapy room. And I’ve learned that real progress happens when people play by their own rules, on their terms, driven by their own interest and enjoyment, rather than strict rules or endless instruction.
Two Models of Therapeutic Golf: Which One Actually Works?
⫸The Clinical Approach—offered at rehab centers:
Soft golf balls
Lightweight clubs
Indoors or controlled environments
Aimed at improving specific physical functions like grip strength or balance
It’s structured and safe, perfect for first steps.
⫸The Community Approach—what we run at driving ranges and public courses:
Real golf clubs
Real environments
Real choice
We call it “Leisure Education”—where participants play, explore, and find their rhythm. Learning the game and simply enjoying hitting the ball is key. This self-directed play leads to deeper personal growth and independence. And when it clicks, it’s powerful.
What Makes a Therapeutic Golf Program Successful?
It’s not about fancy equipment or flawless swings. It comes down to five key things:
◯ 1. Know the Individual. Every person’s needs are different. Adaptive equipment, interests, past experiences—they all matter.
◯ 2. Make It Enjoyable. Fun is underrated in therapy. If someone loves what they’re doing, progress follows naturally.
◯ 3. Make Real Golf Accessible. Golf courses are intimidating—even more so with mobility issues. The key is finding supportive spaces and teaching golf etiquette, not just technique.
◯ 4. Let Mindset Lead. Golf is 90% mental. Give participants room to explore their approach, and they’ll often grow in ways no structured lesson could teach.
◯ 5. Break the Transportation Barrier—one of the biggest roadblocks. People with disabilities often depend on others to drive them. Relying on others' schedules often limits participation and can lead to isolation. Missed rides mean missed opportunities. We must do better at solving this piece.
Why True Support Means Letting Go
Here’s something most programs miss:
When family, friends, or even therapists hover too much, trying to “help,” they can accidentally hold someone back. Support should foster independence, not manage the experience for them. The participant should lead. Everyone else is just a guide—family, friends, coaches, other therapists—everyone needs to be on the same page. If their support isn't aligned with fostering independence, it can actually hold someone back. The goal should be to educate the participant directly, not just the people around them.
Why Lived Experience Matters Most
We don’t need more golf metaphors. What we need is more people who’ve lived the journey helping others start theirs. Lived experience brings empathy, creativity, and the kind of insight no textbook can offer. It’s what makes programs real.
So if you’re building or supporting a therapeutic golf program—listen to the players. My journey has shown me that golf is a path to becoming an athlete, to learning self-reliance, and to discovering inner strength. To genuinely fulfill its foundational promise, Therapeutic Recreation must continue to prioritize the invaluable insights gained from lived experience and cultivate an environment where individual autonomy and authentic engagement are paramount.
Therapeutic Recreation was born on fairways filled with wounded veterans. It grew because people believed in the human spirit more than scientific charts. Today, it continues to change lives—not because it’s easy or trendy—but because it works. Regardless of our physical abilities, if we truly want to achieve something, we often possess the drive to make it happen. Golf isn’t just therapy.
It’s freedom.
It’s movement.
It’s life.
This BLOG was written for educational purposes. For more information, please reach out to support@therapeuticgolfclinic.com
