Golf is one of the most popular recreational sports in the world, and with good reason. Golf is a low-impact activity that offers a variety of health benefits for people of any age. We take a look at the health benefits of playing golf. Playing golf means spending a lot of time outdoors, and any activity that gets you outside is beneficial for your health in various ways
- Spending time in direct sunlight is necessary to get enough vitamin D.
Vitamin D boosts your health in a number of ways, including supporting your immune system, which is also through to be bolstered by exposure to fresh air.
- Golf is a social sport – make new friends
Don’t be fooled into thinking golf is a one-man sport. The social aspect is what makes the game so appealing to many people. Whether it’s your caddy or a fellow player, make the most of your shared interests and strike up a conversation with other players on the course. Playing sports with other people helps boost your self-esteem, social skills, and overall mental well-being.
- It fosters a healthy sense of competition
When meeting new golfer friends, one of the first things they’ll ask is your handicap. Genuine curiosity can actually be good for you, encouraging you to challenge yourself and improve your own skills.
- Golf can improve concentration and boost your brain
Golf is a sport that teaches accuracy, focus, and concentration. It also encourages creativity and creative thinking, such as the foresight to visualize where and how far your shot will go.
- Playing golf is good for your heart
As mentioned, golf gets your circulation going, encouraging your heart to work more efficiently, and helping to build its muscles. So, golf exercises your heart and keeps your heart rate up. This will naturally lower your risk for heart disease and other cardiovascular issues, as well as potentially lowering your levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol. Regularly playing golf may even lead to an increase in life expectancy. Active people live an average of 7 years longer than couch potatoes.
- Golfing can relieve stress and improve your mental health
For many people, a game of golf is a great way of reducing stress. Teeing off when you’re in a bad mood will channel your tension and stress into something productive. Plus, exercise helps our bodies release endorphins, which improve our mood and can reduce pain, as well as reduce feelings of depression.
- Golf burns calories and can help with weight loss
Golf is not a high-energy sport, but that doesn’t mean it can’t help towards weight loss. On a typical round, you’ll be almost constantly moving. The average length of a full 18-hole golf course is around 3.5 miles
- Golf helps you sleep better
The combination of exercise, fresh air, and natural light will all help you to get a better night’s sleep after a round of golf. It may feel like low-impact activity at the time, but golf is nonetheless a significant workout.