Feeling stressed? Maybe a round of golf is the answer.

New research released by Roy Morgan on Wednesday has shone the spotlight on golf and its impact on mental health.

While it is acknowledged that exercise alters brain chemistry and leads to improved mood and mental health, golf’s standing as being far more beneficial than other sports is somewhat surprising.

The survey of more than 14,000 people showcased golf’s benefits, with men involved in the sport reporting a significant difference in anxiety than the average person (14 per cent to 9.8 per cent) as well as depression (13.3 per cent to 8.3 per cent).

Men who play golf are also less likely to report symptoms of stress or panic attacks.

Many women also make up the 1.7 million Australian adults who play golf either regularly or occasionally, and reported lower levels of anxiety, depression and panic attacks.

“Golf is a very relaxed activity,” Norman Morris, Industry Communications Director at Roy Morgan Research, told The New Daily.

“It is about playing, yes, but also wandering around for a few hours and spending time outside.

“Many people report that being outside is beneficial for their mental health, regardless of whether it is gardening or walking – activity of any sort seems to link up with an improvement in things like stress and anxiety.”

Mr Morris added that social interaction and concentration were why playing golf was found to be so beneficial.

“Players have social interaction with other players, also known to benefit mental health, and have to engage their concentration skills,” he said.

“Golf is well known for its popularity among older Australians, and it should be noted that Australians aged over 50 are consistently less likely than younger Aussies to be stressed, depressed or anxious.

“However, Roy Morgan data shows that golf’s mental health benefits apply to participants of all ages. For example, 30.9 per cent of 18-24-year-olds overall report having felt stressed in the last 12 months – compared with only 17.3 per cent of those who play golf.”

The benefits even exist for those who don’t play golf, but watch the sport on TV.

“The reduced prevalence of anxiety, stress, depression and panic attacks among people who watch golf on TV is intriguing: perhaps the game’s slow pace and its scenic settings have some kind of relaxing effect?” Mr Morris pondered.

The revelations come on the eve of Australia’s summer of golf, with Jordan Spieth and Adam Scott to tee off on Thursday at the Australian Open.

The World Cup of Golf in Melbourne follows, before the Australian PGA Championship.

Adam Scott is one of the major drawcards at Royal Sydney this week. Photo: Getty

What about other sports?

Golf is not the only sport that can be beneficial to your mental health, with sailing, swimming and lawn bowls all coming out favourably in Roy Morgan’s research.

“The only sport with participants less susceptible [than golf] to all four mental health conditions [depression, anxiety, stress and panic attacks] is sailing,” Mr Morris said.

“But lawn bowls and swimming are also beneficial.”

Other sports do not rate as highly, with Mr Morris particularly surprised by the increase in mental health issues by those who do yoga.

“That was one thing that really did surprise me,” he said.

“I thought people did yoga to be less stressed. Other sports where participants have higher than average stress levels include ballet, pilates, dancing and tenpin bowling.”