Golf is a popular sport in the UK, but nonetheless commonly misunderstood as a sport of pure leisure. While it is true that an afternoon of golf can be a relaxing and social way in which to spend one’s time, it is also true that golf as a sport has numerous physical and mental health benefits for the average player. But what are the health benefits of golf, and how could you improve yourself by playing one of the nation’s most beloved games?
Mental Health Benefits
Golf has undeniable benefits to physical health – more on which later – but perhaps its most important benefits lie in mental health. Research has proven golf to be effective at reducing the impact of depression and anxiety, being a mindful sport that incorporates light exercise and significant time spent outdoors.
There is also an intellectual element to golf, which can strengthen reasoning – with the benefit of mitigating the effects of dementia, as well as keeping the mind busy and well-exercised. Strategic decisions are crucial in golf, from choosing the right golf wedge for your short game to pitching your shot correctly. This mental exercise is excellent for focus and can stave off any feelings of stagnation.
Cardiovascular Health
One of the main physical benefits of golf relates to cardiovascular health. Even if you spend much of your time between holes in a golf cart, you are still spending a great deal of time on your feet. The considerable amount of walking required by a round of golf can work wonders for your heart health, increasing your heart rate without becoming too taxing – and ensuring healthy blood flow as a result. As such, golf can have a significant positive impact on blood pressure, something that is especially important to monitor in later life.
Weight Loss
Walking also contributes to weight loss, and in a greater sense than it may initially seem to. If you eschew the golf cart completely, you can be sure to burn up to 1,500 calories from the five-mile average walk, plus the additional exercise of your golf swing.
Calorie loss is the fundamental mechanism by which you facilitate weight loss, meaning that the incorporation of regular rounds of golf into your weekly schedule could help you burn fat and bring your weight down – without too much effort.
Core Strength
Golf performance improves with the mastery of technique, and, while technique is something that can be learned by almost anyone, there is a soft cap to player ability based on fitness. Someone with better core strength will have much more control over their swing, and be able to generate much more yardage from the tee than someone who hasn’t developed their core.
Luckily, regular golf play – especially driving drills – can engage your core muscles and help you develop your strength. Otherwise, golf incentivises additional exercises that can help you improve your game while also improving your health.
