17% Use Golf To Hide Infidelity

Findings suggest that 17% of golfers are guilty of hiding their infidelity by saying they are out on the course

17% Use Golf To Hide Infidelity

Findings suggest that 17% of golfers are guilty of affairs by saying they are out on the course

17% Use Golf To Hide Infidelity

Now these are some worrying statistics, partners of golfers - look away now!

It has emerged that almost one in five golfers hide their infidelity by saying they are off to play a round.

In a survey of 1,750 men, Golfsupport.com found that golfers are the third-guiltiest sportsmen when it comes to using the excuse of playing whilst they are having an affair.

Related: How far do average golfers hit it? Statistics show it may be less than you think

It's not all bad for golfers though, as rugby players (21%) and footballers (19%) are even worse.

Overall results discovered team peer pressure and increased testosterone levels heighten the likelihood of having an affair.

The survey focused on a sample of men who take part in sport for six hours or more a week.

Golfsupport.com shows who is most at risk of having an affair and what sport is commonly used as an excuse for infidelity.

They further analysed reasons as to why certain sportsmen come top of the cheating scale, compared to those at the bottom.

Related: 32% of golfers would ditch sex to play golf

Kelly Cambell PHD, claims high levels of testosterone lead men to think they need to have more sex than women do.

Furthermore, Dr Ortiz, assistant professor of sociology at Oregon State University, claims there is a “culture of adultery” among sportsmen, spurred on by fellow players.

With so much time spent away from home, they develop close ties with their team mates, replacing bonds with their families.

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Ortiz highlights how it brings a sense of peer pressure from them; co-existing inside team loyalty, with a heightened sense of self-importance from women who seem “irresistibly attracted to athletes”.

Findings suggest those who are regularly involved in a sport have an easier accessibility to commit an adulterous act.

Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!


Elliott is currently playing:


Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV