More than roughly 25 million people in the United States played golf recently. Golf is one of the oldest sports in the world and is popular for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Whether you’re an avid golfer or just learning how to play golf, you’ll appreciate that playing golf has plenty of health benefits.
Explore some of the health benefits of golf below to add some motivation behind perfecting your game.
1. It Gets the Blood Pumping
Too many of us today sit down for entirely too long. Scientists have proven that people who are too sedentary increase their chances of heart disease and other problems.
Golf courses take up lots of lands, which means plenty of walking. Most people use golf carts, but there are also plenty of opportunities to log some steps and get the blood pumping.
2. You Sharpen Your Motor Skills
Playing golf will sharpen your hand-eye coordination as you age. Such skill-based activities keep your reflexes strong, which can also help you to avoid injuries due to imbalance or missing a step.
This vision and reflex improvement will also carry over into other skill-based activities.
3. Golf Provides Stress Relief
Too many people today are stuck in their heads and living with intense stress. Spending time in the sunshine and fresh air of the golf course may be just what the doctor ordered.
Many people describe 18 holes of golf as a meditative experience. Your brain in a meditative state activates the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). This pumping of the brakes helps you relieve chronic stress.
It promotes a sense of calmness and euphoria that will improve your quality of life.
4. You Can Build a Strong Core
Swinging a golf club repeatedly is the ultimate core workout. Your core is about more than just abs – it holds together all your important muscle groups.
A strong core also contributes to a strong back. Working both will prevent lower back pain, which is prevalent in society today.
You should work with a golf coach so that you can use proper form. You’re less likely to injure yourself when you’re swinging correctly and working with your body’s natural momentum.
Companies like Golfsavers offer beginner’s courses that teach the fundamentals. From there, it takes a lot of trial and error to get your form down and refine your game.
5. There Are Excellent Cognitive Benefits
The focus and repetition of golf keep your brain active. It forces your brain to solve equations related to force and physics, and you have to solve problems based on weather conditions.
It’s like a constant workout for your brain. You’ll experience sharper cognition now and well into your golden years.
Embrace the Health Benefits of Golf
Once you learn the health benefits of golf, you’ll likely want to play it all the time. Not only is it good for you – the game is supremely fun.
It’s also the ultimate game for your mental and physical health. Think about these points the next time you grab your clubs.
Start with these tips and check out our other articles to learn more about sports, health, and fitness.