Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and run by the University of Oxford, the Golf study aims to see whether, 24 months after surgery, the LINX procedure (where a small flexible band of titanium beads with magnetic cores is placed around the lower oesophageal sphincter), gives you similar acid reflux control and improves your symptoms, particularly with gas bloating and not being able to burp, when compared to fundoplication (where a new valve is made).
Patients participating will either receive fundoplication or the insertion of the LINX device, and will take part in the study for 24 months in total. More information for participants, including a video explaining the study, is available here.
For general questions and enquiries please email: golf@nds.ox.ac.uk
Update on the GOLF trial – September 2026
The GOLF trial was set up to compare two surgical treatments for reflux disease: LINX and fundoplication.
The trial has now stopped recruiting new participants because fewer participants than expected were able to join the study and go on to have surgery.
Following a review with the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), which funds the study, it was decided that the trial could not recruit enough participants to answer the original research question. Importantly, this decision was not due to any new safety concerns.
Participants who have already had surgery as part of GOLF will continue to be followed up. We plan to collect the most important information about their health, symptoms and recovery for up to two years after surgery.
We are very grateful to all the participants and clinical and research teams who have supported and contributed to the GOLF trial.
