4 Great Benefits of Playing Golf

Golf is one of the most popular recreational sports in the world, and with good reason. Golf is a low-impact activity that offers a variety of health benefits for people of any age.  Playing golf means spending a lot of time outdoors, and any activity that gets you outside is beneficial for your health in various ways. 

1. Playing golf is good for your heart

As mentioned, golf gets your circulation going, encouraging your heart to work more efficiently, and helping to build its muscles. So, golf exercises your heart and keeps your heart rate up. This will naturally lower your risk for heart disease and other cardiovascular issues, as well as potentially lowering your levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol. Regularly playing golf may even lead to an increase in life expectancy.

2. Golfing can relieve stress and improve your mental health

For many people, a game of golf is a great way of reducing stress. Teeing off when you’re in a bad mood will channel your tension and stress into something productive. Plus, exercise helps our bodies release endorphins, which improve your mood and can reduce pain, as well as reducing feelings of depression.

3. Golf burns calories and can help with weight loss

Golf is not a high-energy sport, but that doesn’t mean it can’t help towards weight loss. You might not feel like you’re getting an intense workout, but all that swinging and putting, plus walking an 18-hole course, really does add up. On a typical round, you’ll be almost constantly moving. This sustained activity keeps your heart rate up and at an optimum level for burning calories. But remember, you won’t feel the same benefit if you opt for a buggy.

4. Golf helps you sleep better

The combination of exercise, fresh air and natural light will all help you to get a better night’s sleep after a round of golf. It may feel like a low-impact activity at the time, but golf is nonetheless a significant workout.

Golf’s effect on your sleep quality in turn makes you a better golfer. Some studies have shown that sleeping better will eventually lower your handicap. Golfers who had trouble sleeping, for reasons such as sleep apnea, discovered that their game improved once they could get a full night’s rest.

Source : circlehealthgroup.com