Wellness Golf - connect with golf on a deeper level

The health benefits of golf have been identified and discussed for many years (read The 7 health benefits of golf and why golf is good for body and mind), but connecting golf and wellness* specifically is a new concept.

Opening this month (May 2019) is a short layout at Chable Resort in Mexico designed by EIGCA member, Agustin Piza MEIGCA of Piza Golf Design. After spending time at the resort and experiencing its holistic approach to wellbeing, Agustin was inspired to create a concept he calls “Wellness Golf”.

Augi Piza is often heard to say: “Design as you should, not as you can” and his philosophy is clear in this design as it goes beyond the usual mental and physical health benefits of playing a golf course – heart health, mental stimulation, exercise – by encouraging players to connect with the course on a ‘spiritual, emotional and environmental level’. The Chablé Resort goes one step further by encouraging guests to play barefoot to help them connect with the natural elements of Augi’s design.

The course sits on the resort’s 750-acre site and is surrounded by a Mayan forest. Its nine tees, four greens and multiple hazards and pins blend with the environment to create a challenging yet relaxing experience. Agustin designed the course so that it can be played in any format the player chooses to reflect their mood, leaving them free to choose the number of rounds to play.

*Wellness is defined as: “A condition obtained when a person achieves a level of health that minimizes the chances of becoming ill. Wellness is achieved by a combination of emotional, environmental, mental, physical, social, and spiritual health” * (as defined by Oxford Reference)

Images of the design are from the Piza Golf Design website