{"id":8985,"date":"2019-04-25T18:26:09","date_gmt":"2019-04-25T18:26:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/?p=8985"},"modified":"2019-05-13T12:35:53","modified_gmt":"2019-05-13T12:35:53","slug":"7-health-benefits-of-playing-golf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/spring-summer-2019\/7-health-benefits-of-playing-golf\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Health Benefits of Playing Golf"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span>T[\/dropcapThe benefits of playing golf range from your physical state all the way to your psyche. If you haven\u2019t played in years, don\u2019t play regularly or have been meaning to learn the game, these essential benefits are worth noting. Here are a few healthy reasons to get down to the golf course a whole lot more in 2019 … You can thank us later.<\/p>\n

“Golf doesn\u2019t just add years to your life; it can also add life to your years” \u2013<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s Get Physical<\/h3>\n

One of the many benefits of participating in sports is that it improves your physical fitness. Golf, specifically, provides moderately intense physical activity, such as walking, carrying your bag, and swinging. This increases your heart rate and blood flow, which results in a healthy heart, enhanced brain stimulation, and improved balance. Spectators and caddies can benefit from golf too! Research shows that golf spectators take more than 7,500 to 10,000 steps whilst watching a game, which is the daily recommendation for a healthy lifestyle.<\/p>\n

Did Somebody Say Weight Loss?<\/h3>\n

Improved physical fitness also means weight loss\u2026 The recommended number of steps for weight loss is about 10,000 steps. Spending 4 to 5 hours playing an 18-hole round will definitely exceed that amount. So ditch the golf cart and burn away those calories!<\/p>\n

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El Camaleon. Photo courtesy of Golfscape.com<\/p><\/div>\n

Sleep Like a Baby<\/h3>\n

A combination of exercise and fresh air on a regular basis is the ultimate recipe for a perfect night of sleep. Not only will you fall asleep faster, but you will also stay in deep sleep for longer. Head to the course, embrace the outdoors, and get a fulfilling night\u2019s rest.<\/p>\n

Healthy Mind, Healthy Body<\/h3>\n

What most people don\u2019t know is that being surrounded by nature, as well as exercise, benefits mental wellbeing. Studies show increased attention and happiness after walking amongst the greenery. This is caused by an increase in levels of endorphins and serotonin in your brain, leading in the reduction of anxiety, as well as improved self- esteem, and confidence. Luckily for golfers, they can surround themselves with nature by spending the day at stunning golf courses in picturesque locations like Marbella, Portugal, and France. As people say, a healthy mind results in a healthy body.<\/p>\n

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Villingili Golf Course. Photo courtesy of Golfscape.com<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Make Friends & Take Meetings Outdoors<\/h3>\n

Playing golf also has a great social element, allowing people to not only spend time with friends and family but to also meet new players with different skill levels. With enhanced social connections, self-identity, interpersonal skills, and emotional control are boosted to a whole new level.<\/p>\n

Looking for new business opportunities? Head to your nearest golf club and get networking\u2026 Tip: Use the game of golf as a platform to discuss business ideas and bring a positive vibe to meetings!<\/p>\n

Exercise Your Brain<\/h3>\n

Playing golf requires a certain amount of concentration and memory. This counts as exercise for your brain, aiding in degeneration. Participating in the sport regularly is likely to prevent or reduce cognitive decline. Improve your old age before it’s even begun!<\/p>\n

Live Longer & Have Fun!<\/h3>\n

Last but definitely not least\u2026 One of the top and most appreciated health effects of golf is the increase in life expectancy. Science also advises us to take more time to have fun in life. Having fun reduces stress, strengthens relationships, and keeps you youthful!\nWho knew you\u2019d be getting a life-long benefit from playing golf.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Article contributed by Golfscape.com<\/a><\/h5>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Getting out on the links can be good for you<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":8988,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[109,111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8985","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spring-summer-2019","category-spring-summer-2019-features"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8985","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8985"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8985\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9163,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8985\/revisions\/9163"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8988"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8985"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8985"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8985"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}