Golfing for Health
Why hitting the links can improve your health
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
If you love playing golf, keep it up. And if you’re curious about the game, why not start?
A study published by the National Institutes of Health indicates that “golf can provide moderate intensity physical activity and is associated with physical health benefits that include improved cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic profiles and improved wellness.”
Research promoted by the American Stroke Association states that in a decade-long study, people who regularly golf have a death rate of 15.1% compared with 24.6% among people who don’t golf.
Physician Kaushal B. Nanavati, assistant dean of wellness and director of integrative medicine and survivorship at Upstate Cancer Center, enjoys golf and touts its benefits.
“When walking the course and carrying or pushing a golf bag, golf can offer moderate intense physical exercise,” Nanavati said. “This moderate intensity has been shown to benefit cardiovascular health, can reduce the risk of cancer recurrence for breast cancer and can improve and slow down our aging process by positively impacting something called a telomere, which has an impact on the life span of our cells.”
One of the benefits of golf is the exertion required to play the game — but only if you skip the cart.
“Walking a golf course can burn significant calories,” Nanavati said. “Walking while carrying a bag can burn as much as 1,400 or more calories depending on the person, while riding in a cart may burn half as much or less.”
A bag of clubs can weight 35 pounds or more.
The game itself is also physically challenging.
“Swinging a golf club helps with strength, coordination and balance, and flexibility,” Nanavati said. “Golf courses are generally very beautiful and can help with our mental wellbeing as we know that being in nature, especially greenery, can enhance mood.”
Research indicates that spending time in nature elevates mental health and promotes a healthy immune system. In addition, “the game requires focus, concentration, strategy and so has mental, emotional, and cognitive benefits and it definitely teaches humility — if you know you know,” Nanavati said.
He added that golfing with others can make the sport a social activity. Whether with friends and family or as a chance to meet new people, golf is an opportunity to stave off isolation and engage with others.
Playing 18 holes of golf can take three hours and can be costly. To make it a regular part of your fitness regimen, Nanavati recommends joining a league to lower the expense. Purchasing used clubs versus renting can also reduce the cost.
Don’t expect golfing weekly to fulfill all of your fitness needs.
“On other days, people can do strength training, cardiovascular activities such as walking, jogging, bicycling, swimming or other exercise that they enjoy,” Nanavati added.
The National Institutes of Health noted on its website that the risk of injury while playing golf is moderate with back injuries as the most likely. Although rare, golf-related head injuries can have the most severe outcomes.
To minimize the chance of injury, receive a healthcare provider’s clearance before playing. Warm up muscles before beginning and do a few gentle stretches. Stop playing if you experience pain and see a healthcare provider. If you hear another player shout “Fore!” immediately seek cover. Do not try to visualize the source of the ball. And notify other players of a possible errant shot by calling “Fore!” as well.