7 Health Benefits of Playing Golf

Though you might think of golf as a slow sport that’s mostly played by rich old guys in sweater vests, it’s actually much more fun than you might think. There is a lot of strategies involved and you get to spend a lot of time outdoors.

It might not look like a physically intensive activity, but golf can actually act as a pretty solid workout. Due to its low-intensity, you won’t see massive gains, but it’s a safe, reliable way to increase your endurance and overall health in myriad ways. Here are seven of the most important ones.

Take it outdoors

The first thing you’ll probably notice about golf is that it takes place outdoors, usually somewhere in a luscious green field. All you have to do is put on some comfy golfer pants and you’re all set. Now all you have to do is just take in the nature surrounding you – if at this point you don’t even lift finger, you’ll still get a healthy dose of vitamin D and oxygen that will keep you healthier for longer.

Burn calories

As we’ve stated in a previous paragraph, golf is quite a low-intensity workout. This means that you’re not likely to drop dead out of exhaustion anytime soon, but that also doesn’t mean you won’t be getting any results. A walk at leisurely pace can actually help you burn calories more effectively than a jog will, and in a much safer manner. Of course, you have to be more patient to actually lose a lot of weight, but if you play golf regularly, it will happen eventually.

Get a solid cardio workout

Golf is actually very good for your heart rate. The aforementioned walking will do its part in this regard, but it’s the swinging that really engages your core and really works wonders for your stamina. Of course, if you don’t go in prepared, there’s a higher risk of injury, so make sure you only look for the best beginner golf clubs when you’re starting out.

Improve your brain functions

The increased blood flow and the influx of oxygen to your body will also result in your brain receiving more nourishment. This is one of the most reliable ways of delaying or even preventing various mental illnesses, on top of improving your cognitive functions and overall mood.

Get eyes like a hawk

One of the main causes of short-sightedness is the fact that we spend a lot of time indoors, in front of screens. Our eyes rarely get the exercise they need to see good from afar. By going outdoors regularly, especially out in the open fields as you do in golf, your eyesight will actually start to improve.

Sleep better

Golf games take the better part of your day every time. This means that you’ll spend a considerable amount of time walking, swinging your club, and breathing in the fresh air. By the end of the day, you’re likely to be completely tuckered out – and this is a good thing! You don’t have to be suffering from insomnia to appreciate deeper sleep, as we all stand to gain from that.

In our everyday lives, we spend too much time in front of screens. This way, we are far more exposed to blue light than we would be naturally, which has a detrimental effect on our sleeping patterns. With golf, not only are you away from screens for a longer period of time but just by being very tired by the end of the day you increase your chances of a deep sleep that will help your body regenerate, leaving you more relaxed and happier.

Reduce stress

This applies to most forms of workout, but golfing can actually make you feel more at ease and reduce your stress levels. By the simple act of going out of town and away from the hustle and bustle you can draw a thick line between your usual stressors and you. Instead, you’re spending time with friends, chatting, taking in the outdoors, and performing physical activities, which gives you a nice, big serotonin boost. So if you really want to feel less stressed out, in the long run, golf may just be the perfect choice for you.