Golf is often perceived as a lazy sport, played by only a select few however, golf is a fun and highly active sport that requires sharp problem solving skills. Playing golf can actually provide you with a whole host of physical and mental health benefits. Some of the benefits might surprise you however, these are some of the reasons why you might want to consider taking up golf as a hobby.
Here are some of the surprising health benefits of playing golf.
Burns calories
Despite the fact that there are no high-energy sprints and extensive cardiovascular workout routines involved in playing golf, a round of golf can actually burn a significant amount of calories. Did you know that playing an entire round of golf can burn up 1500 calories per session?
If you play an 18 hole round, there is lots of walking involved. On average, you might walk 10 kilometres or more throughout the game.
The amount of calories you burn, will depend largely on how fast you walk and your level of fitness. Whatever the case, you will burn a decent amount of calories which is great for weight loss and weight management. Also, walking can greatly reduce the risk of developing obesity-related diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
Improves hand-eye coordination
Playing golf will definitely improve your hand-eye coordination over time which is excellent news for both the young and the elderly.
Enhanced hand-eye coordination can reduce the risk of cognitive ailments such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
You can improve your game even further by using golf rangefinders that will make your game more accurate.
Vitamin D absorption
Spending time outdoors is highly beneficial, just 15 minutes spent in the sun will provide you the recommended daily value of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiencies can lead to various health problems such as osteoporosis and arthritis.
Vitamin D is vital for the regulation of calcium and phosphate in the body which are essential minerals required for strong bones, teeth and muscles.
Heart health
Playing golf is a physical activity and anything that gets your body moving will benefit the heart. Walking, swinging the golf club and carrying your golf bag will provide you with cardiovascular exercise that will strengthen and improve the efficiency of your heart.
Mood boosting
Exercise is a mood boosting remedy and anything that gets you out of the house and in the sunshine is highly beneficial for the mood.
When you exercise, your body produces mood-enhancing chemicals called endorphins which produce a calming and mood boosting effect. Playing golf will certainly improve your mood especially if you play golf with close friends, family and associates.
Playing golf might not seem like the most exciting sport in the world to some however, it burns calories, increases vitamin D uptake, boosts the mood, improves heart health and enhances cognitive ability. Therefore, it is a great choice for anyone searching for a new and interesting hobby.
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