Contrary to popular belief, golfing isn’t just for rich and famous people. In fact, in the US alone, around 25 million people play golf, and the numbers are on the rise. There are plenty of reasons why golfing is becoming increasingly popular, and one of them is that it can have a lot of great health benefits. While playing golf might not be the same as an intense workout in the gym, it’s definitely a great option for those who want a gentler and low-impact way of keeping fit and want to reap the health benefits of getting more sunshine and fresh air.
Image by Markus Spiske
Improve Your Fitness
If you forgo the golf cart and play the old-fashioned way by walking around the course, an average game of golf can be an easy and fun way to walk a few extra kilometers every day, which will help you burn calories, get your heart pumping, and improve your weight and fitness. If you’re carrying your own clubs, the additional weight will be even more of a workout while you’re walking around the golf course, and the best part is that it’s not strenuous at all and can be a lot of fun, especially if you’re playing with a friend.
Spend More Time Outdoors
There is no denying that spending more time outdoors is better for your mind. If you have been feeling stressed, depressed, or anxious recently, getting outside more and spending time getting some sunlight and fresh air can be a great boost. There have been several studies that have proven the health benefits of being exposed to green areas and nature on the body and mind, including getting more vitamin D and helping to relieve anxiety and stress levels.
Improve Your Heart Health
Many forms of physical exercise are good for your health. When you’re playing golf, you can improve your heart health at the same time since your heart rate will be increased as you walk around the course and swing your golf club. This leads to improved blood flow and a healthier, stronger heart, which ultimately reduces your risk of serious conditions such as stroke, diabetes, heart disease, and heart attack. Golf is also a good exercise for those with existing heart conditions since it does not raise your heart rate to dangerous levels.
Enjoy Better Sleep
If you often find yourself struggling to sleep at night, this is something that playing golf might be able to help you with. When you’re spending hours walking around the course playing golf, your body will tire, helping you relax into a deeper and more satisfying sleep at night. The more energy you spend during the day, the easier it is for you to get a good night’s sleep – and getting enough sleep can benefit your health in a number of further ways including more energy, better focus, better mood, and increased protection against various diseases.
Improve Your Vision
You can improve your vision by playing on the golf course or with a golf simulator; you can play with one at home to boost your eyesight even if you can’t get outside. One of the first things that golfers learn to do is to use their eyes to zoom in on the ball and get an idea of where it should fall when you swing your golf club. This makes golf an excellent choice of activity for anybody who wants to improve their hand-eye coordination.
Playing golf might be favored by the rich and famous, but it’s an excellent choice of activity for anybody. Golfing has a wide range of great health benefits that you can enjoy each time you play a game.
