["Do you still have sex, or do you already play golf?"-Sex lives in comparison: golfers, physically active and physically inactive middle aged men].

Abstract

Background: In Germany, the phrase "Do you still have sex, or do you already play golf?" ironically reflects the stereotype that golf serves as a substitute for sexual activity in older age and conveys the assumption that sexuality becomes irrelevant in later life.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the sex lives of golfers, physically active men, and physically inactive men, focusing on sexual activity, the perceived importance of sexuality, and sexual satisfaction.

Materials and methods: The analysis included 50-year-old men participating in the Bavarian Men's Health (BMH) study between April 2020 and March 2025. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess sociodemographic data, lifestyle factors, and parameters of sex life. Participants were categorized into three groups: golfers, physically active (nongolfers), and physically inactive men. Group comparisons regarding sociodemographic, lifestyle, and sexual parameters were conducted using χ² and Fisher's exact tests, as appropriate.

Results: Among 8062 men (mean age 50.3 ± 0.58 years), 1.6% identified as golfers, 63.2% as physically active, and 35.2% as inactive. Both golfers and physically active men were significantly more likely to be sexually active compared to inactive men, reported more than one sexual partner within the past year, and indicated higher sexual desire as well as greater importance of sexual life (all p < 0.001). Moreover, they achieved significantly higher International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function domain (IIEF-EF) scores and Erection Hardness Scores (EHS; both p < 0.001). No differences were observed regarding sexual satisfaction, masturbation frequency, or the desire to change sexual activity.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that playing golf and maintaining an active sexual life are by no means mutually exclusive. On the contrary, golfers demonstrated, on average, higher levels of sexual activity than comparison groups.