Golfing for Good Health: The Proof is in the Putting

For those of us who’ve already discovered the endless enjoyment of agolfing lifestyle, the news that’s it’s also actually good for us is certainlynot earth shattering. But now there’s no need to defend yourself against thosenaysayers who think that it doesn’t require any more effort than a day in frontof the telly watching the sports.

A recent study published by the BritishJournal of Sports Medicine finally provides irrefutable proof that the gamewe love so much contributes (in a pretty big way thank you very much) to bothour mental and physical well-being. The research, undertaken by the Universityof Edinburgh, also revealed that further efforts are needed in order to makethe sport more accessible to everyone. Now that’s what I call good advice!

Play the Game Right

Of course, when it comes to your health there’s no point cheating, sothe disclaimer to the following revelations is that it doesn’t count if youspend the entire eighteen holes scooting around in a golf cart.

Ok, so now that’s clear, here comes the good news. Just the walkingcomponent of a nine or eighteen hole game provides a considerablecardiovascular workout – even if it doesn’t particularly feel strenuous at thetime. In addition to the 3.5 miles you’ll put on the clock during an averagegame, when you factor in the fact that it also involves some uppy, some downyand (ahem) possibly a little bit of getting out of the rough, it can turn intoa pretty impressive workout.

Benefits of the Balls (and Clubs)

Here’s how every game you play is contributing to keeping your mind,body and spirit happy and healthy.

Mental health: While there’s still work to be done in this particular area ofresearch, the study determined that there’s no doubt regularly getting out onthe green can help reduce anxiety and depression and raise self-esteem levels.If that’s not an incentive to lower your handicap, what is?

Musculoskeletal health: The act of getting out there and hitting a little white ball aroundhas long-term and wide-ranging ramifications for your strength and balance,coupled with a very low incidence of injuries.

Chronic health conditions: Regular players reduce their chances of succumbing to a range ofchronic health issues including diabetes and various cancers, like colon and breast. Many of the physicalaspects of the game also lower the rate of contributing factors tocardiovascular disease.

Ongoing research is being undertaken to establish whether playing golfcan also be beneficial to healthy ageing, in aspects relating to the prevention/delayon onset of dementia, Parkinson’s and falls in the elderly.

Live Long and Prosper – Or AtLeast Lower Your Handicap

I couldn’t help but save the best until last. The studies show thatgolfers actually live longer than non-golfers. So it’s a self-perpetuatingcycle really: live longer so you’ll get to play more golf, so you can livelonger and get to play more golf, so you can…well, you get the picture.

We’reall about finding the best getaways for our golfing clients, with the bestcourses and accommodation on offer. If you’re ready to get out on the green anddo your health a favour, getin touch with us and we’ll arrangea dedicated escape to Spain, France, Portugal or many other great destinations.