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WHOOP Finds That Golfers Who Sleep Better and Have Better Recovery, Play Better
BOSTON, MA, [TBC, 2025] – WHOOP, the human performance company, has announced novel findings on key performance markers for golfers. In a research paper named: Associations Between Wearable-Derived Sleep and Physiological Metrics With Performance in Professional Golfers, currently in pre-print in medRxiv, WHOOP showcases how better sleep and recovery lead to better performance in golfers. The paper shows us that peak performance doesn’t just come from pushing harder–it also comes from recovering smarter; and in a sport like golf, where the margins are razor-thin, this is of particular importance.
WHOOP Recovery isn’t just a readiness score based on four key physiological biometrics. It’s a way of showing up day after day with clarity, control, and a competitive edge.
THE DATA
We analyzed a dataset of 389 PGA Tour athletes across 521 tournaments, from 2017 to 2025, looking at the relationship between sleep, recovery, and performance. The WHOOP study captured 35,000+ nights of Sleep and Recovery data from the group of elite golfers, linking biometric trends to actual strokes gained, great shots, and fewer errors.
The evidence is clear: the athletes who improved and sustained higher Recovery metrics didn't just perform better occasionally—they performed better consistently. This wasn’t just about feeling fresh before a tournament. It was about showing up sharper, more focused, and more resilient, round after round, season after season–relatable not just to golf, but across most sports and aspects of life.
Four metrics stood out as strong predictors of performance:
- Recovery
- Resting Heart Rate (RHR)
- Sleep Consistency
- Sleep Duration
KEY FINDINGS
Recovery drives performance, and it compounds over time: Every 10-point increase in WHOOP Recovery led to an average of 0.5 fewer strokes per round—that's 2 strokes over a 4-day tournament. In pro golf, that can mean the difference between missing the cut and lifting the trophy.
Consistent sleep is a game-changer: Golfers with higher Sleep Consistency and not just more sleep saw fewer poor shots and better overall play, especially from tee-to-green. Why? Because consistent sleep strengthens circadian alignment and mental clarity, crucial elements in a game built on precision.
Small improvements add up—physiologically and psychologically: Season-over-season gains in Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and reductions in Resting Heart Rate (RHR) were tied to strokes gained over the competition and better putting performance. These biomarkers can’t be transformed overnight. They’re the physiological markers of long-term health, stress management, and cardiovascular efficiency—proof that the body adapts to better habits.
Recovery is the best predictor of great shots: Across the board, higher Recovery scores were linked to more great shots and fewer poor ones. Players didn’t just feel better, they executed better. That’s the power of showing up with full readiness: more clarity under pressure, fewer mistakes when it counts.
One good day won’t cut it—recovery is a lifestyle: This study wasn’t built around highlight moments, it tracked nearly a decade of play. What it uncovered is that Recovery isn’t about peaking once, it’s about sustaining peak potential over time. WHOOP members aren’t just training harder. They’re recovering with intent, and it shows.
WHY THIS MATTERS
This research validates what WHOOP users already know: better sleep and recovery lead to better performance- on and off the course. This research reinforces a powerful idea: in the world of high performance, your edge isn’t in what you do once, it’s in what you do consistently. WHOOP Recovery isn't a badge for one good day. It’s a reflection of cumulative behaviors: how you sleep, manage stress, train, and recover, built over weeks, months, and years.
For golfers, performance isn't just about big swings—it's about precision. This study found that better Recovery and consistent sleep weren’t just linked to fewer poor shots, but also to gains in strokes both tee-to-green and on the green (putting).
For elite athletes trying to gain every possible edge, this data shows that optimized sleep and Recovery aren't just helpful—they're essential for consistently better play.
WHOOP is the Official Fitness Wearable of the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions. The brand also works with prominent golfers such as Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas, who are both investors in the business. WHOOP also works with Nelly and Jess Korda.
About WHOOP
WHOOP, the human performance company, offers a wearable health and fitness coach to help people achieve their goals. The WHOOP membership provides best-in-class wearable technology, actionable feedback, and recommendations across recovery, sleep, training, and health. WHOOP 5.0 and WHOOP MG offer groundbreaking health innovations, including cardiovascular health features; Healthspan which quantifies Pace of Aging and provides members with their WHOOP Age; and first-of-its-kind wearable Blood Pressure Insights. WHOOP is the perfect health companion for anyone looking to optimize their health and performance. Founded in 2012, WHOOP is based in Boston and has raised more than $400 million in venture capital. WHOOP is available to ship in 56 markets worldwide and the WHOOP app is available in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish (Latin America). WHOOP can be purchased on Amazon across the U.S., U.K., and Australia, as well as Best Buy (U.S.) Dick’s Sporting Goods (U.S.), Flipkart (India) and Virgin Megastore (GCC), and more.
To learn more or start a one-month free trial, visit whoop.com and connect with WHOOP on Instagram, X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
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