Joining a golf club can help you stay in great shape both physically and mentally. Some might envision golfing as just swinging a golf club and standing around. But there is much more to golf that can help you stay in shape.
Burn Calories And Lose Weight
With all the walking and movement while golfing, you will burn calories. Neil Wolkodoff, the director of the Center for Health and Sport Science at the Rose Medical Center in Denver, found out exactly how many calories were burned by playing 18 holes of golf.
Walking with a bag will burn approximately 1,442 calories. Walking with a push cart was close behind with 1,432 calories burned. This is equal to a good 30-minute workout at the gym.
Considering most golf courses are not flat, all of this walking uphill and downhill is great for building leg muscles. The more muscle you build, the higher your metabolism will be. And the higher your metabolism, the more fat you will burn while at rest.
Great Workout For The Heart And Body
Many health experts suggest that we walk as much as possible for heart health. Studies have found that playing 18 holes of golf is equal to walking or hiking about six miles.
In addition to walking, golf also involves bending of the legs and swinging of the arms. These movements are great for the heart as they get the blood pumping, raise the heart rate, and expand the lungs.
Golf provides an excellent workout with little risk of injury. Since golf is a low-impact form of exercise, the risk of injury is lower. This makes golf an excellent form of exercise for both young and senior players alike. You will exercise your arms, your legs, your heart, your lungs, and your joints with little risk of injuring yourself.
Stress Reduction
Getting out in the fresh air, pretty scenery, and sunshine does wonders for your mental well-being. Socializing with friends, having fun, and being a part of the golfing community releases endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are mood-enhancing chemicals that make you feel good. Reducing stress is wonderful for the heart and lowers blood pressure.
Brain Health
Science has found that using your brain is as important as using your body for reducing your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Golf takes mental ability in the form of focusing, and this focusing helps keep your brain active and healthy.
It is also important to socialize and interact with others for brain health. Golf is perfect for socializing with old friends and meeting new friends, all of which contributes to a full life.
Sleep Better And Live Longer
According to a study from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet, the death rate for people that play golf is 40% lower than for other people of the same sex and age. This study was based on 300,000 golfers and equates to five years of increased life expectancy.
Golf gives you fresh air and exercise, which helps you get a good night sleep. If you suffer from insomnia, golf could be the cure to your sleep problems. Getting a good night sleep is vital for good physical and mental health.
When it comes to staying in good physical and mental shape, you can’t ask for much more than playing a round of golf, and it’s fun. Join our golfing community here at Blue Sky Golf Club in Jacksonville and enjoy all of our golf club amenities like the pool, gym and tennis courts.
