You probably don’t need another reason to play golf, but here are 7 more anyway. Despite the apparent fun aspects of golf, underlying health benefits will have you reaching for your sticks more often.
Getting out there to play doesn’t have to be all about lowering your score. You can use this game to improve your health, which will also benefit your everyday life.
Time to make another tee time this week because nothing is more important than golf… I mean, your health.
Physical Benefits Of Playing Golf
The physical benefits are what most men focus on, and for good reason. There’s a lot to admire about this game, and the physical benefits often get swept under the rug.
1) A Happy & Healthy Heart
This may come as no surprise, but you cover a lot of ground when you walk 18 holes. Even if you ride, you’re still walking to and from tee boxes and greens, swinging the club, and getting in and out of the cart many times.
All this activity keeps your heart rate up and your blood flowing. This helps your body stay healthy and mobile as you age. A single round of golf can burn 1000 calories, even more if you carry your bag.
2) Exposure To Healthy Sun
Not all of us are lucky enough to live in warm sunny climates, and while that sucks because we can’t play golf as much, we might also be lacking the benefits of being out in the sun.
In moderation, the sun’s vitamin D is great for:
- Bone health at all ages
- Maintaining a healthy immune system
- Reducing the risk of heart disease
But too much of anything is bad, and that’s especially true for the sun. Be sure to always have sunblock in your bag. Playing in the middle of the day will increase your exposure, so be sure to spread your tee times across different times of the day too.
3) Sleep Better
Quality exercise goes hand-in-hand with good sleep. We can’t undervalue the payoff of prolonged deep sleep. It helps you recover from the work you put in that day so you can continue the next day feeling better than you did.
While asleep, your body replenishes cells and repairs healthy muscles. It also helps strengthen your immune system to prevent illness and lessen the effects of allergies.
4) Flexibility And Core Strength
Getting the flexibility of Justin Thomas or Dustin Johnson may not be in the cards for most of us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t benefit from improving our flexibility and core strength. Even the smallest improvements can make it easier for you to perform everyday tasks. You’ll have more energy in the mornings and won’t have an afternoon crash.
Golf is a workout in disguise. You’re engaging your core on every swing, whether you want to or not. So even if you’re having a bad day, you can take comfort in knowing you’re getting a great workout that day.
Mental Benefits Of Playing Golf
You don’t have to be an experienced golfer to know that this game can play tricks with your mind. While it may be hard to believe some days, golf is actually an excellent game for mental health.
5) Cognitive Exercise
Increasing blood flow throughout your whole body means your brain gets more too. This improves nerve cell connections which will help you stave off cognitive illnesses such as dementia.
Golf is a great way to keep your brain engaged. Like any other muscle, your brain needs exercise to stay healthy and ‘in shape. The nature of golf encourages you to use reasoning and problem-solving skills non-stop.
6) Nurture Healthy Relationships Across Generations
Further exercising your brain will be your interactions on the golf course. This game is far different from others because it’s not uncommon to see an elderly gentleman in the same group as the junior club champion. This game is a great way to meet new people outside your usual group.
It can bring families closer together and broker successful business relationships. Meeting the right person and winning them over on the golf course can lead to many business opportunities, leading to a healthier wallet.
7) Reduce Stress, Supposedly
Scientifically speaking, golf reduces stress. It does this by getting you out of the office and into a beautiful environment filled with sun, green grass, beverage carts, and the wonders of nature. Having said that, I know plenty of people may disagree.
Reducing stress will be up to you. This game can get in your head and turn a sunny afternoon into a dark nightmare. Don’t let high scores take away from all golf’s other benefits.
Remember, a bad day of golf is still better than a good day at work.
Bonus — Injury Prevention
You can’t reap all the rewards of golf if you’re constantly sidelined by injury. Although low impact and not physically demanding, one minor injury can cost you months of golf and make you miss out on all the health benefits your body needs.
Maintain a healthy stretching routine before each round you play. This will ensure your body is ready for the rigors and unpredictable movements that golf commands.
Final Thoughts
There’s so much to learn about golf that it can be overwhelming. But as you’re trying to improve your swing speed and reduce your slice, don’t forget about the health benefits you’re getting during each round. To learn more about golfing visit sites like GolfSpan.com.
Want to unlock greater wellness?
Listen to our friends over at Wellness Force Podcast to unlock your genetic potential with Dr. Ben Lynch:
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