For personal trainers exploring unique ways to integrate wellness, community and mental health into their offerings, Soba Golf presents a unique case study. Recently launched, Soba Golf combines golf with wellness practices and sobriety support, showcasing how sports can serve as a platform for personal growth and connection.
Founded by Corey Davis, a golfer and tech leader with 14 years of sobriety, Soba Golf is built on the idea that golf is more than a game — it’s a space for mindfulness, discipline and community. Davis’s own journey, from discovering the sport during a challenging time to lowering his handicap from 30 to 4 in just four years, underscores the transformative potential of blending wellness with athletic pursuits.
Soba Golf offers a roadmap for fitness professionals seeking to create holistic, inclusive experiences for clients. The initiative blends virtual engagement through Discord, content like its upcoming Against the Grain podcast, and in-person events including retreats and wellness workshops. Together, these elements form a community-focused approach to mental and physical health.
“Golf taught me discipline and presence,” Davis explains. “I wanted to create something where others could find that same sense of peace and progress, whether through sobriety, personal growth, or simply enjoying the game.”
Soba Golf’s approach demonstrates how fitness professionals can design programs that go beyond traditional exercise. By addressing mental health and encouraging connection, the program provides a template for building loyal, engaged communities. The initiative’s retreats, which integrate wellness practices with rounds of golf, exemplify how fitness experiences can extend outside the gym to promote lasting impact.
Fitness professionals can draw inspiration from Soba Golf’s integration of sport, mindfulness and community-building. The initiative illustrates the potential of broadening wellness programming to include unique environments, such as golf courses, and creating welcoming spaces for all.
