Playing golf might just be the cure-all activity the world has been looking for.
Here are ten reasons why getting your golf on is good for you:
1. PHYSICAL FITNESS
Walking 18 holes will result in a trek of around 8-9km on average and typically burn between 1300-1500 calories — the equivalent of riding a bike at a moderate pace for over two hours.
And if you’re just taking up the game you’ll probably get even more of a workout, no doubt playing a bit of army golf (left, right, left, right) that adds some extra steps towards the recommended 10,000 a day target.
So contrary to the old saying, golf is not a good walk spoiled; rather a good walk that becomes even more physically beneficial when things turn ugly.
2. HEART HEALTH
A study by the University of Eastern Finland revealed that playing a round of golf has a greater impact on cardiovascular health than previously thought.
Despite being perceived as a low intensity exercise, the study showed golf outperformed both regular walking and higher-intensity Alpine walking (which uses upper body strength) in reducing blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol.
The author of the study, Julia Kettinen, said her research proved playing golf could help prevent a heart attack or stroke later in life.
But to be clear, it’s mostly the walking that provides golf’s heart health benefits, so don’t hire that golf cart.
Click here to read more about study.
3. MENTAL HEALTH
Despite most golfers getting a bit emotional at times out on the course, golf is proven to be extremely beneficial for mental health.
The link between exercise and mental health is well known but research has shown golfers have lower rates of stress, anxiety and depression than non-golfers.
It’s hard not to feel the peace and soak up the serenity when on the course, surrounded by fresh air and nature.
And there aren’t too many times the opportunity arises to stow the phone away for a few hours, leaving you to concentrate solely on your golf game. A clear, focused mind — nothing wrong with that.
Click here to read more about Professor Jenny Roe’s research into golf’s impact on psychological wellbeing.
4. SOCIAL INTERACTION
Being the highly social game that it is, playing a round of golf is an excellent antidote to the creeping loneliness that often plagues modern life.
There aren’t too many sports where you get to walk side-by-side with your opponent and chat and joke about the AFL (guaranteed), fiscal policies of the Australian Reserve bank (frequently) or quantum mechanics and string theory (you’d be surprised).
Then, as the etiquette of the game dictates, you get to have a drink and catch-up after the golf ends: just remember not to undo the physical gains made out on the course by over-indulging.
It’s about as social as a serious sport can get and while you can always choose who you play with, it’s sometimes good to step out and meet some new faces.
You never know, you could form some genuine, lifelong friends with whom you can hash out whatever’s on your mind.
5. BETTER SLEEP
If there was a recipe to get a good night’s sleep, fresh air and exercise would have to be it.
In that regard, a round of golf offers an opportunity to experience the kind of deep, uninterrupted sleep that will have you feeling fresher than a Parisian baguette.
Surrounded by greenery and nature, golf massages the mind while the fresh air carefully soothes the consciousness.
And as we pointed out earlier, a round of golf will have you easily exceeding the recommended 10,000 steps a day to keep you in tip top shape.
Add some golf into your day and you’ll soon find yourself switching off and dreaming contentedly about birdies and eagles as soon as your head hits the pillow.
6. CHARACTER BUILDING
Golf can be immensely rewarding one minute and humbling the next.
It’s only a game but golf is a microcosm of life. Learn to deal with the ups and downs out on the course and it’ll build the character, resilience and stability required out in the real world.
In other words, you’ll learn to take the bad bounces with a level disposition.
7. LOW IMPACT
Injuries come calling far too often in athletic pursuits, but golf is so gentle on the body that the only pain you're likely to feel is heartbreak when your tap-in putt loops around and stays out of the cup.
Even pros who swing the club at breakneck speeds are relatively injury free, except when they dislocate an ankle after celebrating a hole-in-one – just ask Tony Finau.
And to verify the longevity of a life spent playing golf, no other sport can boast a professional Senior Tour (a.k.a. the top-up tour) for players when they turn 50.
8. ANYONE CAN PLAY AND ENJOY THE GAME
Golf is a game for everyone, from complete numpties through to the prodigiously talented; it suits fit young whipper-snappers but is also enjoyed by OWLS (older, wiser, larger, slower).
Most courses have different teeing areas that adjust the length and difficulty of the course to make the game enjoyable regardless of skill and experience.
And with golf’s unique handicapping system, a 36-handicapper having the game of their life can beat the world's No.1 ranked player.
Now that’s what you call a level playing field.
9. LIVE LONGER
A 2008 study carried out by a Swedish medical university discovered that playing golf will help you live longer.
The study showed the death rate for golfers is around 40 per cent lower compared to non-golfers of the same gender, age and socioeconomic standing.
It equates to golfers having a life expectancy around five years longer than non-golfers and the study puts it down to the health benefits that golf provides to participants.
The study also unearthed a connection between handicaps and death rates, with low handicap golfers having a longer life expectancy than higher handicaps.
The takeaway is: take up the game, practise hard and enjoy a long life!
Read more about the study here.
10. INTEGRITY
If you want your young'uns to learn what integrity means, take them out for a game of golf.
As both a competitor and umpire, a golfer must always obey the fundamental tenets of the game: count every stroke and adhere to the rules. Not many sports rely on the honesty of participants to ensure a fair fight, but golf places integrity on a pedestal.
A golfer’s integrity is sacrosanct and it’s a tough road to come back from if there are question marks — just ask 2018 Masters champion and golf villain Patrick Reed.