Golf is known as a gentleman’s sport and a game of leisure, and it just so happens to be one of the most popular sports in the world. Golf is a fun sport to play and it has a wide variety health benefits for those that play it. Below we are going to take a look at 8 such health benefits of playing golf.
It Improves Heart Health
Any type of physical exercise will get your heart pumping blood around your body. Walking through the golf course, carrying your golf equipment, and swinging your golf club are all things that will increase your heart rate and get your blood flowing. In the long term, this will lower your chances of having a stroke or getting diabetes, especially if you combine playing golf with a healthy diet.
It Helps to Stimulate Your Brain
Walking each day is an activity that will stimulate your brain and strengthen its memory circuits. Clive Ballard from the Alzheimer’s Society declares that whether you are going for a walk or a jog, keep physically active is a very good way to keep your brain and heart healthy. By staying active, you are ensuring that your brain has a strong blood supply, which is very important as this allows it to do its jobs to the best of its abilities.
It Can Help You to Lose Weight
It is recommended that each person walks at least 10,000 steps every day. If you are playing on an 18-hole golf course, then you will definitely walk more than this figure. Obviously, this is if you decide to walk around the course instead of making use of a golf cart. It is estimated that a male golfer will burn about 2,500 calories while playing 18 holes. A female golfer, on the other hand, will burn around 1,500 calories.
It Helps to Reduce Stress
Our daily lives are full of stress and too much stress is something that is definitely not good for our health. So, if you are feeling particularly stressed, then we recommend that you go and play some golf. The pleasure that you will get from being out in the fresh air as well as the mental challenges of playing golf will release endorphins, which will help you to feel happy and relaxed.
It Will Improve Your Sleep
Sleep is extremely important when it comes to a healthy life. If you are not getting enough sleep, then it will have a direct impact on your health. Fresh air and exercise are two things that can help you improve your sleep, and you can get both of these when you are playing a round of golf. If you have played golf before then we are certain that you will have realized just how tired you are after how much better quality your sleep was.
Helps to Strengthen Your Bladder
This is a surprising health benefit, but it is definitely one that is worth taking note of. When you are playing golf there will come a time when you need to use the toilet, but there is not one nearby yet. You could in the bushes, but that is something that is really looked down upon (if you are going to wet yourself, then there is no other option). However, if you can learn to hold it you should. The longer you hold it for, the stronger your bladder will become.
You Will Not Get Injured Often
Golf is a leisurely game and when compared to other sports such as football or rugby, the risk of getting a bad injury is very low as there is no contact with other players. There is the chance that you might pull a muscle or something, but the chances of this happening are not worth worrying about.
Helps to Improve Your Vision
You obviously need some good eyesight to locate that small white ball that might be 100 yards away or so. Golfers will train themselves to hone in on tiny targets from a distance away. Furthermore, when you are taking your shot, you need good vision and coordination to ensure that the ball goes exactly where you want it to go.