Looking for a fun, low-impact form of exercise that can improve your health and quality of life? Golfing for fitness might be a great option for you.
It doesn’t matter what age you are: hitting the links for a round of nine or eighteen holes is a great way to burn calories and fat, protect your body as you age, and improve mental health.
Here are six benefits to expect for your health when golfing for fitness.
- Weight Loss
Did you know that most people average more than 10,000 steps when playing 18 holes of golf?
Ten thousand is the “magic number,” so to speak, that most health professionals believe we should get each day. Those who walk that much burn more calories, have better metabolic health and tend to lose weight, too.
It’s also an easy sport to get started with. Look for a local golf company and get a set of clubs, and you’re good to go!
- Better Balance and Coordination
Perhaps the best—and worst—thing about golf is that it’s a sport anyone can play but no one can perfect. The movements of the sport may seem simple, but they require quite a bit of balance and coordination.
Suffice it to say, the further down the wormhole you go, the more complex you’ll learn that it is.
Benefits like balance and coordination shouldn’t be overlooked. A lack of either has been linked to more falls and injuries in older populations—incidents that could lead to broken bones and other negative outcomes.
- Fewer Injuries
All that walking, swinging, and competing (if you’re into that) help strengthen your overall body and keep you active.
Stronger, more flexible joints and muscles are better protected from injuries. Sedentary people’s joints and muscles start to deteriorate and weaken after the age of 30.
But an activity like golf can help prevent that from happening!
- Better Sleep
Golf is fun in the sun—and, as it turns out, all that fun is good for your rest quality.
When the sun makes contact with our skin, we’re able to naturally produce vitamin D. Vitamin D is a hormone that is vital for many bodily functions, including immune health and bone strength.
If you have trouble sleeping at night, there’s a strong chance it’s because you’re deficient in vitamin D. Hitting the links can help you get some shuteye, too!
- Better Social Life
Golf is the most fun when it’s played with others. Whether you use it as a way to bond with your kids, socialize with your wife or hang out with the neighbors, it doesn’t matter. It’s an awesome activity to deepen relationships!
In fact, if you get really into it, expect to start grouping your friends into two categories: those who golf and those who don’t!
- Better Mental Health
Golf is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety.
If you’re prone to feeling overwhelmed or just need activities that help you relax, this sport can be a fun, fulfilling way to do so!
Golfing For Fitness Can Work For Anyone
Golfing for fitness is a fun, highly accessible activity that men and women of all ages can participate in.
It’s also so fun that you might go into it looking to lose weight, but wind up playing in the future just because you love it.
For more fitness tips, check out the rest of our blog.