Leisure Satisfaction and Identity Formation in University Golf Elective: A Mixed-Methods Analysis

This study examined how participation in a university golf elective shaped students’ leisure satisfaction and how these experiences were associated with learning and identity development in higher education sport programs. Using a mixed-methods design, survey data were collected from 469 students across 10 Chinese universities, followed by 20 semi-structured interviews with students and course coordinators. Quantitative findings showed that golf participants reported significantly higher leisure satisfaction than students in badminton and fitness training across all six Leisure Satisfaction Measure dimensions, with all comparisons reaching significance at p < 0.005. Qualitative findings further showed that students experienced golf as reflective, low-pressure, and personally meaningful, with educational meaning, psychological satisfaction, and social value emerging as the most prominent themes. Together, the findings highlight the educational and developmental value of leisure-oriented electives in higher education sport programs.