Cannabis and golf have been converging for years—through CBD sponsorships, relaxed cultural attitudes, and a wellness focus that mirrors many golfers’ priorities. But when you ask for hard numbers—how many medical-cannabis cardholders are golfers?—the data gets thin. Below is a clear, sourced look at participation trends, what we know about medical patients, the rules golfers face, and the growing evidence that being outdoors on a course can be therapeutic.
How big are golf and cannabis right now?
Golf participation has surged since the pandemic. The National Golf Foundation (NGF) reports 28.1 million on-course golfers in 2024 (the most since 2008) and 47.2 million total participants when you include off-course formats like Topgolf and simulators. The game is getting younger and more diverse, with 57% of on-course golfers under age 50 and record shares of women and people of color. READ MORE: National Golf Foundation
On the cannabis side, medical-cannabis patient counts remain sizable even as adult-use expands. A 2024 aggregation by the Marijuana Policy Project counted ~3.64 million registered patients across state programs, while noting this undercounts big states (e.g., California) that don’t track all patients in mandatory registries. Chronic pain is the most common qualifying condition nationally. READ MORE: MPP
Is there a statistic linking “medical cardholders” to golfers?
No public dataset directly cross-tabs medical-cannabis registrants with golf participation. State registries don’t ask about sports, and golf surveys don’t ask about medical cards. What we can triangulate are trends that suggest overlap:
- Age profiles are converging. Golf skews multi-generational, and although the game is getting younger, it still has a strong middle-aged and older base. Simultaneously, cannabis use among older adults is rising: analyses led by NYU researchers estimate ~7% of adults 65+ reported past-month use in 2023; another academic/press synthesis shows similar growth. READ MORE: NYU
- Medical patient characteristics align with common golfer complaints. A CDC-hosted 2024 review of U.S. medical registries confirms chronic pain is the top qualifying condition (≈48%), followed by anxiety and PTSD—issues that golf’s low-impact activity and social connectedness may also help address. READ MORE: CDC Stacks
In short: while no official “cardholder-golfer” stat exists, the demographics and health motivations suggest a meaningful, if unquantified, overlap—especially among adults managing pain who prefer low-impact exercise. (If you need local insight, a survey of your club or golf association would be the way to generate primary data.)
What do golf’s rules say about cannabis?
At the professional level, CBD is permitted, but THC remains prohibited in-competition above WADA’s urine threshold (150 ng/mL). The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency notes CBD’s allowance since 2019 but warns athletes about product mislabeling and contamination risks. Recreational THC remains restricted under anti-doping codes and many tour policies. READ MORE: NPC Hello
For amateurs and public golfers, the policy picture depends on state law and venue rules. Most courses follow local smoking/vaping ordinances; many resort and member clubs also prohibit cannabis on property even in legal states. (If you’re traveling, check the course’s code of conduct and local law in advance.)
Outdoor golf as therapy: what does the science say?
There’s a robust and growing body of research linking golf and “green exercise” (physical activity in nature) with mental and physical benefits:
- A scoping review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine finds golf can improve cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and overall wellness markers, with evidence for psychological and social benefits. An international consensus statement echoes these findings, emphasizing healthy aging and mental-health gains through a sport that is accessible across the lifespan. (British Journal of Sports Medicine)
- A meta-analysis of urban green exercise reports a moderate, statistically significant improvement in mental health versus non-green or indoor settings, reinforcing the restorative effects of being outdoors—something golf uniquely provides through hours of movement in park-like landscapes.
- Another synthesis on green exercise suggests outdoor workouts can enhance affect and enjoyment compared to indoor sessions, supporting the idea that golfers derive extra mood benefits from nature exposure. READ MORE: PubMed
Veterans’ programs offer real-world evidence. PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere)—a PGA of America initiative—uses a 6–8 week adaptive curriculum to improve physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being among veterans and active-duty personnel. The VA has profiled HOPE as therapeutic, highlighting outcomes like reduced isolation and improved mood and function.
Taken together, the literature and program outcomes support what many golfers report anecdotally: regular, outdoor golf functions as a form of movement-based therapy—low-impact, social, scenic, and structured enough to build routine.
CBD, THC, and golfer use: what’s reported?
Mainstream golf media helped normalize CBD several years ago, covering both endorsements and buyer-beware guidance. Golf Digest’s early features explained why some golfers experiment with CBD for anxiety, sleep, or soreness, while cautioning that research is still catching up and mislabeling remains a risk for drug-tested athletes.
For THC, population surveys—not golf-specific—show historic highs in adult use, particularly among 19–30 and 35–50 cohorts, which collectively make up a large share of the golf market. That helps explain the cultural shift you see at casual leagues or buddy trips, even if venues themselves maintain conservative consumption rules. READ MORE: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Why the overlap makes intuitive sense (even without perfect data)
- Low-impact movement: Golf’s walking, rotational mobility, and stop-start rhythm suit people managing chronic pain—the top reason for medical cannabis authorization. READ MORE: CDC Stacks
- Routine & community: Tee times, leagues, and lessons add structure and social connection, both linked to better mental-health outcomes; programs like PGA HOPE institutionalize that benefit for veterans. READ MORE: pgareach.org
- Outdoors advantage: The “green exercise” literature shows nature exposure + activity can boost mood and reduce stress, matching why many golfers say they feel better after nine or eighteen.
Practical takeaways for golfers and operators
- Be precise about policy. If you’re an athlete subject to testing, stick to WADA-compliant products; remember that CBD is allowed but not risk-free due to labeling and contamination. For recreational play, check state and course rules—some venues prohibit cannabis even in legal states. READ MORE: NPC Hello
- Consider CBD for recovery—cautiously. Early golf-media coverage reflects interest, not clinical consensus. Look for third-party lab tests, consistent dosing, and avoid products with ambiguous THC content if you’re ever tested. READ MORE: Golf Digest
- Lean into the outdoors. Regardless of cannabis, make use of golf’s built-in therapeutic assets: walking when possible, playing with friends, and picking courses with scenery that makes you want to stay active. The evidence base for outdoor activity and mental health is strong. READ MORE: PMC
Bottom line
We do not yet have official statistics that directly connect medical-cannabis cardholders to golf participation. But the surrounding evidence is compelling: golf is booming and broadening; millions hold medical cards (with pain the leading indication); older-adult cannabis use is rising; and outdoor golf is associated with mental-health benefits in the scientific literature and veteran programs. For many players, the practical intersection looks like this: use compliant products thoughtfully, respect course rules, and keep showing up for the physical, social, and nature-based therapy that golf already provides.
Note: Many state medical registries do not collect sport participation data, and course policies vary by venue and jurisdiction.