Golf is considered one of the most relaxing sports in the world. What other sport allows you to drive on the playing field? However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that golf does not have health benefits. In fact, studies have shown that golfers have a lower mortality rate compared to non-golfers.
But what exactly do you get when playing the sport? This article lists the top five health benefits of golf that could serve as reasons why you should head to a Dubai golf course today.
1. Get more chances to soak up vitamin D.
Golf is a sport that is naturally played on courses of expansive grassy outdoors (except for miniature indoor golf, of course).
Playing golf allows enthusiasts and serious players to soak up enough vitamin D from the sun, a nutrient necessary for a healthier mind and body.
There are several ways vitamin D have health benefits:
- Bolsters immune system function, which can also improve with exposure to fresh air.
- Promotes bone health benefits and growth, especially among youth.
- Alleviates the signs of and helps prevent depression.
- Lowers the risk of heart disease and cancer.
Just remember to apply sunscreen before you play, as the amount of sun exposure you get while playing a round of golf could increase easily.
2. Experience less anxiety and stress.
Because most golf courses are built in picturesque locations, golfers get an emotional boost while playing the sport. In fact, a day at a golf course may very well be as relaxing as one spent in a staycation resort.
Even a simple walk around the course could provide you with enough fresh air to boost your serotonin and endorphin levels – the two hormones responsible for reducing stress and anxiety and elevating mood. Add that to a great game with friends and loved ones, and you get a most relaxing escape from the hustles and bustles of day-to-day life.
Partaking in competition and activities outdoors also helps improve your self-esteem, not to mention it lets you channel the tension and stress you’re feeling into something productive and enjoyable.
3. Improve brain function and concentration.
Although it is not as strenuous as other sports, golf still provides much-needed exercise for a certain muscle in the body: the brain. In fact, experts believe that this low-impact sport can help enhance a player’s focus, accuracy, and overall brain function.
Golfing also encourages creative thinking as you use your knowledge of geometry and physics to imagine exactly where the shot will go. It also helps hone your hand-eye coordination, muscle memory, and your sense of distance and depth.
4. Burn calories.
You might be thinking that golf isn’t high-energy enough to help you burn those extra chips you stress-eat at home. But believe it or not, golf can help with weight loss.
Despite being a low-impact sport, swinging a golf club and walking miles of green on an 18-hole course is a good workout. A typical round actually keeps you moving without you even noticing it. This kind of activity ensures a sustained heart rate that is optimal for calorie burning.
Of course, it won’t be the same if you use the golf cart. If you walk the entire length of an 18-hole course that measures around 5.6 kilometers, you should be able to burn double the calories in the sport compared to when you ride a buggy.
5. Sleep better and potentially get over insomnia.
Another important health benefits of golf are its effect on the length and quality of your sleep.
According to some experts, playing golf regularly can help people suffering from insomnia because it establishes a healthy, active routine.
The sport takes around four hours to complete and can be accomplished on foot, which makes it a good enough exercise to boost your body’s capacity to regulate your sleep cycle. This not only promotes better-quality sleep but also makes it easier for you to fall asleep.
And with good sleep comes better focus, allowing you to come to work with a clear head. (That’s one more score for health benefit No. 3!)
Bonus Tips to Maximise the Benefits of Golf
While golf isn’t considered a high-risk sport, it still comes with certain hazards – albeit minimal. That means even though playing this low-impact sport won’t leave you with any serious injuries, you should still remember the following health benefits to keep yourself and others safe while reaping all the rewards of the sport:
1. Warm-up first
Warming up and stretching before playing helps you avoid pulling any muscles and sustaining other injuries. When you do, pay close attention to your shoulders, back, and arms. Perform mobility exercises before swinging short irons in gentle movements.
2. Take golfing lessons
Golf may seem easy enough from the outside, but it still requires a certain level of skill to play. Of course, you don’t need to train too hard to become a golf expert. All you need is sufficient training to avoid injury and a complete golf accessories to make you more motivated to play golf.
3. Keep a safe distance from a swinging club.
One of those rare times when you can actually get injured in golf is when you stay too close to another player who’s about to swing their club. As you can probably imagine, this could potentially lead to a painful (and potentially embarrassing) black eye.
As a general rule, you should keep a safe position behind an ongoing swing when playing in a group. A minimum of four club-length distances should be enough to let you enjoy the sport with friends while still avoiding the hazards of a swinging golf club.
4. Only use good golf equipment.
Make sure you wear comfortable clothing, socks, shoes, and gloves. As much as possible, only use quality golf equipment that is fitted professionally before purchase.
5. Keep safe from the heat.
Don’t forget to shield yourself from the sun. Wear hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen with at least SPF30, especially during the summer months.
Reconsider playing under high heat conditions. As much as possible, stick to early morning or twilight schedules when the temperature is lower.
Don’t forget to rehydrate before, during, and after every game. While you can take some sports drinks, water is still the most recommended fluid when engaging in any sport.
6. Learn and practice proper golf etiquette.
Always exercise diligence in following the basic etiquette and rules of golf.
Make sure no one is standing near you and wait for players and ground staff to be out of the way before you swing your club. Shout “fore” to warn spectators and other players that you are about to swing.
Tee Up for Good Health
Golf is one of the most preferred sports for trips focused on relaxation. However, it also does wonders for your body, supports calorie-burning, and promotes better sleep.
Also read:
Health Benefits Of Traveling With Family
8 Tips To Keep Your Skin Happy And Healthy Or Skin Care While Travelling
This is a topic that is near to my heart… Thank you! Where are your contact details, though?
Speaking of your kids, why not bring them along on your next golf outing?
Golf is a very popular sport worldwide
Golf can be good for your health and your heart.
Golf is considered one of the most relaxing sports in the world.
I appreciate your sharing. Your piece about golf’s health benefits was interesting to read. This content will be bookmarked for sure.
Thanks for the interesting things you have uncovered in your post. One thing I’d prefer to comment on is that FSBO interactions are built after a while. By bringing out yourself to owners the first Saturday their FSBO is usually announced, ahead of the masses starting calling on Thursday, you produce a good network. You become the ally by giving them tools, educational products, free reviews, and forms. By taking a personal curiosity about them as well as their situation, you make a solid interconnection that, on many occasions, pays off if the owners opt for a broker they know along with trust — preferably you, actually.