Health & Fitness

Balance, Mind & Body

Being Involved in Golf Benefits Your Health

Simply put, golfers live longer, have better overall physical health, and gain wellness/ mental health benefits. These associations are likely due to the golden combination of walking, muscular activity, and social interaction (amongst other factors). So whether you’re young or old, a scratch golfer, or have never picked up a club before, there are now even more reasons to head to your nearest course!

  • Physical benefits include improved cardiovascular risk-factor profiles, improved blood glucose levels, and increased life expectancy.
  • Psychological benefits include improved self-esteem, improved confidence, and reduced anxiety.
  • Golf also provides a great opportunity for developing interpersonal skills, emotional control, and enhancing social connections.
  • Playing 18 holes burns 2000 calories when walking and 1300 calories when riding in a cart.
  • When walking or riding in a cart, playing 18 holes gives you the daily recommended steps of 10,000.
A group of people playing golf on the green.

FEATURED INFO Golf & Its Effect on Health

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PHYSICAL

A wide range of physical benefits associated with golf, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancers, is significantly reduced.

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SOCIAL & WELLBEING

The social element of golf is well-renowned – providing individuals with an opportunity to spend time with friends in great surroundings.

A blue silhouette of a person playing golf.
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MENTAL HEALTH

Research highlights that golf can help individuals improve their confidence, self-esteem, and anxiety levels.

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SPECTATING AT EVENTS

Spectators at golf events walk significantly further than the 7,500 to 10,000 steps recommended daily for health.

GET FIT! HEALTH & BENEFIT LINKS

To find more ways that golf is good for you got to GolfandHealth.org.

Playing Golf May Improve Your Life Span

A study that involved more than 300,000 participants from Scandinavian nations found that those who regularly played golf lived five years longer than others who did not play golf.

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Benefits of Golf Spectating

It's official - attending a golf tournament as a spectator is great for your health, according to a study conducted by the University of Edinburgh in conjunction with the Golf & Health Project.

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Mental Health Benefits of Golf


Golfers from around the world say the No. 1 reason they play golf is to support their “mental well-being."

 

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Two men sitting at a table eating sandwiches.