The inexperienced look at golf as a somewhat slow and physically undemanding sport. There’s no running, jumping, or physical contact. However, that doesn’t mean golf doesn’t have tremendous health benefits.
Furthermore, because golfing doesn’t put unnecessary strain on your body, it’s less risky than playing other high-intensity sports. You rarely hear of people suffering from golf injuries all their life.
But what are the health benefits of golf? Is it really that good for your mind and body?
The answer is yes. Read on to find out why.
A Cardiovascular Workout
Most people lead primarily sedentary lives. Between desk jobs, smartphones, and TV, most of us don’t move around as much as we should. As a result, almost 72% of American adults are either overweight or obese.
Fortunately, one of the benefits of playing golf is that it provides an amazing cardiovascular workout. However, it isn’t tedious like jogging on the treadmill or swimming endless laps in the pool.
When golfing, you naturally walk long distances and climb hills carrying your golf clubs. You are physically active with your entire body. It’s just not as noticeable because you’re engaged in the sport and having fun.
Improved Strength and Mobility
One of the most notable physical health benefits of golf is increased functionality. Practicing your swing and playing golf regularly naturally increases your strength and mobility.
Lean muscle mass is vital for aging well. Mobility is necessary to keep us functional as we get older.
Mental Health Benefits of Golf
Okay, but what about the golf benefits for your mental health?
First, being outside exposes our skin to sunlight. When exposed to sunlight, our bodies synthesize vitamin D.
Vitamin D is essential for keeping our brains healthy and functioning. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to depression, seasonal affective disorder, and schizophrenia. Furthermore, physical activity is always a great remedy for depression and anxiety.
Increased Dexterity
One thing most people don’t think about when they ponder health is their hand-eye coordination. However, our dexterity plays a large role in everything we do in day-to-day life. For example:
- Using computers
- Driving
- Cooking
- Exercising
- And more
Working on your golf swing and perfecting your game can positively impact most other areas of your life.
Improved Brain Power
Finally, let’s talk about how the health benefits of golf affect your cognitive abilities. If you’ve played even a single round of golf, you know that it requires incredible focus, reasoning, and calculating.
The more you play golf, the more you engage your mind. Golf makes you think ahead – choosing the right clubs, gauging wind speeds, and concentrating on your swing.
If you’re looking to improve your golf game, but don’t know where to start, we recommend looking into a local Florida golf school. They can help you with everything from the basic mechanics of your swing to perfecting your overall golf strategy.
Want More Health Tips and Advice?
As you can see, there are a lot of reasons to play golf. Whether you’re looking to improve your mental fortitude or your physical functionality, there are multiple health benefits of golf. Grab some clubs and give it a try.
And if you’re looking for more tips on staying fit (physically and mentally), stick around and check out some of our other articles. Our blog is full of valuable information and advice.
