What is Golf Theapy?
I created Golf Therapy because when your body moves, your mind moves too. Walking while talking changes the way you think, it lowers stress, helps you open up, and makes tough conversations feel easier.
Instead of sitting in a chair, we walk the fairways side by side. Movement boosts blood flow to the brain, clears mental fog, and makes space for new ideas. Being outdoors adds another layer, sunlight, fresh air, and nature all improve mood and resilience.
You don’t need to be a golfer. It’s not about your swing or your scorecard. It’s about combining movement and conversation to make therapy feel natural, productive, and powerful. Over nine holes, we’ll work through what really matters while your body and mind work together.
Why Counselling on the Golf Course Works
Traditional counselling often means sitting in a chair, face to face, under fluorescent lights. For many people, that feels uncomfortable and it’s one of the reasons some, including a lot of men avoid getting help.
Golf Therapy flips that on its head. By walking the course together, conversations happen more naturally. Movement lowers barriers, the outdoors lifts your mood, and the side-by-side pace makes it easier to open up. Over nine holes, you get the time and space to talk through what really matters, without the pressure of a room or a desk.
Through the years of practice (counselling, not golf) I have found that clients get more out of a session when they are moving. Walking and talking work. The evidence base for Behavioural Activation is growing and the links between physical movement and mental health are becoming harder to ignore
Science behind it
Behavioural Activation: Moving your body while addressing challenges helps break cycles of low mood and avoidance.
Exercise & Mental Health: Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, improves clarity, and reduces stress.
Outdoors & Resilience: Studies show that children, young people, and adults all experience improved mood and stronger resilience to stress when they spend more time outside.
Movement changes the dynamic. When you’re walking, silences aren’t awkward — they’re part of the rhythm. Fresh air and open space make it easier to share what’s really going on, and conversations tend to go deeper.
Natural Conversations
Many people avoid counselling because it feels intimidating or “clinical.” On the golf course, stigma fades. Walking side by side feels natural — it’s not an office, it’s not a chair, it’s just two people moving and talking.
Cuts through Stigma
Why 9 Holes
Nine holes gives us the right amount of time (about two hours) to settle into conversation, explore what matters, and make real progress without feeling rushed.
What My Clients Get From Golf Therapy
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Easier conversations - People open up when they're not trapped in a chair
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No intimidation factor - No office walls, no formality, just walking and talking
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Mind and body benefits - Fresh air, gentle exercise, space to think clearly
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Time to go deep - Nine holes gives us room to explore what's really happening
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Tailored to you - Every session shaped around your needs, not some rigid structure
How Counselling on the Golf Course Works
We have all played with friends and been paired up with a single golfer and have had those conversations, what do you do for work? How are the kids?
Rather than a surface level conversation, let's dive a little deeper and take it to the next level in a structured therapeutic setting with a qualified counsellor.
Practical Details
• Golf course fees are additional and vary by course
• Choose your preferred golf course
• We facilitate the booking process
• Book at least one week in advance
Session Format
• Full payment required at booking
• All major credit cards accepted
• Off-course options also available
• Can meet at your preferred location
Who is this fore?
Golf Therapy is particularly effective for:
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Pre-Retirees and Retirees: Assisting those in transition to reflect on their legacy, manage life changes, and find purpose during retirement. Find out more here
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Men who find office counselling too formal and want something more straightforward
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Kids and Teenagers: Helping young people who struggle in traditional settings
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Golfers of All Levels: From casual weekend players to dedicated golfers, anyone who loves the game can benefit from talking while playing. Sometimes, the best conversations happen outside of the office and on the course.
If you’re someone who heads to the driving range each week, I encourage you to swap one of those sessions for a meaningful conversation with me. No matter your age, stage of life, or level of play, I offer a space where you can unwind, reflect, and address any struggles you're facing, all while enjoying the game you love.
Flexible Counselling Options: On-Course and Off-Course Sessions Available
1 hr
1 hr
$200 Plus Golf Fees
Deep Dive Into Your Retirement over 9 holes, Public Access Course or a course of your choice.
2 hr
$500 Plus Golf Fees
1 hr
180 Australian dollars
Available OnlineYou don't have to be in Melbourne. Expert Retirement Support, Anywhere In Australia
1 hr
180 Australian dollars
2 hr
The Mental Health Caddy program is about more than just having casual conversations about the game—it’s about teaching golfers to ask the next important question. On the golf course, it’s common to check in with your mate about their new driver or their latest score, but this program aims to take that check-in further, encouraging men to also ask, "How are you really doing?"
Program Overview (with Next-Level Check-In)
The Mental Health Caddy program encourages golfers to move beyond surface-level conversations. While it's easy to chat about a new golf club or swing technique, men often struggle to talk about their mental well-being. This initiative will train golfers to ask that next question—to go beyond the golf-related check-in and genuinely ask about their mate's life and mental state.
For example, instead of just asking, "How's the new driver working for you?", golfers will be encouraged to follow up with, "And how are you feeling off the course? Is everything going well?" This simple shift can open up space for meaningful conversations that might not otherwise happen.
Join the Fore Mates Movement and help support your mates on and off the course. Whether you're a regular golfer or just starting, you can make a real difference by checking in and asking the next question.
Contact Lukas Winward today to learn more about how you can get involved in the Mental Health Caddy program. Together, we can create a positive impact through the game we love.
Fore Mates: Become a Mental Health Caddy and Support Your Mates On and Off the Course
Topics To Cover With
The Golfing Counselling
Purpose and Meaning
Fear and anxiety
Education
Family Dynamics
School Refusal
Loneliness
Making New Friends
Cyber Security
Grief and loss
Social Isolation
Life's Surprises
Community/Altruism
Anxiety
Personal Identity
Activities
Legacy
Health
Peter Attia states “Once you hit the age of 65, if you fall, which happens, you have a 15%-30% chance of dying within one year, it’s time to get serious about your health.
*Some topics are not appropriate for the golf course but don't worry, if something comes up during a session we'll make a time to meet off the course. The environment is key. Just like your physical safety, the mental health caddy will provide an emotionally safe environment on course.