ABSTRACT
This chapter draws attention to how mental health and well-being can be compromised in pursuit of sporting excellence. It identifies and adopts strategies that support the positive mental health and well-being of professional golfers. One of the risks identified was developing an exclusive athletic identity or performance narrative. In this regard the research made the case that others play an important role in either contributing to the development of a performance narrative or equally can contribute to the development of a discovery or relationship narrative type. Narrative theory has made an important contribution to better understanding the links between identity development and mental health illustrating how the process is sociocultural as individual. Narrative theory shows how creating and sharing stories about one's life and self makes it possible not only to create and develop an identity, but also for others to recognise and validate that identity. Finally, the horizon of interest amongst the research community is limited to performance enhancement.
