Have you recently been thinking of taking up a sport to get you out of the house? Do you want to play golf, but the game doesn’t seem like it’ll give you the workout you need?
Will spending a few hours a week on a golf course Perth and other Australian cities have on offer give you enough exercise? Does such a seemingly relaxed sport have any health benefits at all? Well, hold onto your clubs! You’d be surprised!
The Mental & Physical Benefits of Playing Golf
Have you ever watched some of the physical activities your friends and family participate in? Sports that involve a lot of running and sweating must seem like the perfect way to get a good workout. Does that mean a game like golf that seems so laid back isn’t giving you the right amount of exercise?
Just how does playing golf affect your health? Keep reading as we take a closer look!
Stress Relief & Relaxation
Most people spend their weekdays rushing between point A and point B, whether it’s home and office or between meeting rooms. You probably try to meet deadlines, be a dutiful partner and parent and maintain society’s expectation of being a responsible adult. This can become quite stressful!
Golf is one of the best ways to deal with the constant demands of a stressful lifestyle. Whether you play golf with your family or use it as a means to unwind alone, it’s a terrific way to clear your mind and catch your breath. Finding a proactive way to deal with your stress, mental fatigue and exhaustion is the best way to prolong your life and even enhance its quality.
Weight Loss & Exercise
While golf might not be as physically demanding as football or tennis, it’s still a good form of exercise. Any type of activity that takes you out into the fresh air and gets your body moving is healthy.
For people who need to up their cardio, it’s a fantastic way to increase your steps. All you have to do is ditch the golf cart, walk your 18 holes and carry your own clubs! Adding a diet of healthy fat-free foods will give you the improved lifestyle you need.
Many golfers enjoy playing games on a variety of courses. Look for golf courses with many challenging up and down hills which require extensive walking and provide a real workout throughout the day!
Absorbing Vitamin D
Working in an office environment can leave your body deprived of some much-needed vitamin D. Since golf is always played out in the open, there’s plenty of opportunity to get all the sunshine you need!
Some of the benefits of vitamin D include the following:
- Boosts calcium levels in your bones
- Improves general mood
- Gives your immune system a much-needed boost
- Can reduce chronic diseases caused by vitamin D deficiency
- Vitamin D has been known to assist with regulating blood pressure
- A sufficient amount of vitamin D is also a wonderful way to protect your body against cancer and potential heart disease
Good for Blood Sugar Levels
If you generally ingest more sugar than your body burns, it might be turning into fat. It might also be elevating your blood sugar levels. Sticking to a healthy diet with reduced sugar levels and playing golf at least once or twice a week will show you a drastic reduction in your sugar levels.
Allows You Time to Socialise
If you play golf with players from your local club, it not only allows you the opportunities to meet new people but also improves your gaming average. Spending time with people outside of your usual circle of acquaintances makes it easier to take a mental break from your familiar routine.
If you introduce your family to the wonderful game of golf, it’s a fantastic way to catch up on family time. It also gets your family off the couch.
Confidence Booster
Golf is as much a mental game as it is a physical one. If you’re an avid golfer then you understand the thrill of hitting that perfect shot that drops right into the middle of the cup!
You may enjoy the process of strategizing, planning your next game and having something to look forward to. The concentration you use to visualise yourself taking the next shot sends a great deal of blood rushing to your brain. All this oxygen-rich blood increases your brain’s abilities, so it’s a great mental exercise as well!
Final Thought
See how good this game can be for you?
Now, you might find yourself surrounded by people who either don’t understand your passion or find the game slow-paced. The bottom line is, if you love golf, you’ll always find a reason to play it. But it helps to know that there are a few genuine and validated reasons to get back on the golf course this summer!
