Maybe this isn't a universal viewpoint, but to me if the concern is to increase social connections amongst men, it seems odd to lump that in with hobbies like it's some bonus goal.

I know there are some hobbies that force you into a social situation but most hobbies seem a consumer of time in a reasonably solitary way and thus would further reduce any opportunity to socialise in the scarce hours when one is not working, asleep or traveling to work.