Doing physical activities is key for a healthy life. But is golf a good fit for fitness? Doctors say yes, golf can help a lot. It’s good for your heart and helps you relax. We tell you why golf and fitness is considered to be a healthy news trend.
Golf is not just a fun game. It’s also a workout. The CDC says we need 150 minutes of activity a week. Golf can help you meet this goal, thanks to walking the course.
A person who weighs 160 pounds can burn 252 calories per hour in a cart. Walking, they can burn 396 calories. This shows golf can help you stay active.
Golf is also great for your heart and blood. It’s better than walking or Nordic walking for these things. It’s good for older people too. They might even live longer if they play golf.
Being outside and with friends is also a plus. Doctors say golf is good for your heart, muscles, and mind. But remember to play safely and get advice from doctors if you have health issues.
Key Takeaways
- Golf can align with CDC’s recommendation for moderate aerobic activity by walking the course.
- A 160-pound person burns up to 396 calories per hour when walking with clubs1.
- Golfer’s blood pressure and cholesterol levels can improve more than those engaging in other moderate exercises1.
- Walking an 18-hole golf course helps burn between 1,200 to 1,600 calories2.
- Doctors endorse golf for its cardiovascular and muscle health benefits1.
- Being in green spaces during golf can help reduce stress and improve mental well-being2.
- Proper warm-up exercises are key to avoid injuries while playing golf3.
The Health Benefits of Playing Golf
Playing golf is good for your body and mind. It helps your heart, lungs, and reduces stress. Golf courses are peaceful places that help you relax.
Cardiovascular Improvements
Golf is great for your heart. A golf course is over four miles long. Walking it twice a week means you walk 192 miles in six months4.
Walking 18 holes is like walking over 6 miles5. This can lower your heart disease risk and blood pressure4.
Enhanced Lung Function
Golf is good for your lungs, too. The fresh air and open spaces help your breathing. This can make your lungs stronger and improve your breathing.
Studies show golf is better for your heart than Nordic walking for seniors5.
Stress Reduction Through Nature
Golf also helps reduce stress. Golf courses are peaceful with greenery and views. This calmness lowers your stress levels.
Golf makes you relax and feel less anxious. It also helps your mental health and thinking skills, which is good for older adults5.
Golf is good for your heart, lungs, and mind. It’s a great way to stay healthy and happy.
Doctor-Recommended Exercise Guidelines
It’s very important to follow doctor’s advice on exercise. This is true for everyone, no matter how old they are. Each age group has its own exercise plan to stay healthy.
Frequency and Duration
Kids and teens, 6 to 17 years old, need 60 minutes of activity every day. They should do aerobic exercises three times a week. They also need muscle-strengthening exercises three times a week6.
Adults, 18 to 64, should do at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity weekly. Or, they can do 75 minutes of vigorous activity. They also need muscle-strengthening exercises two times a week6.
People over 64 should follow the same guidelines as adults. They should focus on muscle-strengthening and balance exercises before doing aerobic activities. This makes it safer and more effective6.
Intensity Levels
The right exercise intensity depends on your health and fitness. Moderate activities like brisk walking or dancing are good for many people. They help with bone health and reduce the chance of broken bones7.
High-intensity workouts, like running, should be done carefully. Always get medical advice before starting to avoid injuries6
Flexibility exercises help with joint movement and muscle function. Balance exercises are key to prevent falls, which is important for people with osteoporosis7. Even sports like golf can be as good as gym work or yoga for strength and balance8.
It’s important to have a personal exercise plan. This should be based on good advice and medical guidance. This way, you can get the best health benefits678.
The Role of Fitness in Golf Performance
Top golfers show how important fitness is. They win big tournaments because of their fitness. For example, 18 out of 20 Majors were won by players who worked with a Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Certified Expert9.
Being fit helps golfers swing faster and stronger. This is key to playing well. A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that muscle strength is vital for a good golf swing10.
Doing rotational exercises can make a golfer’s swings better. This is because these exercises strengthen the muscles needed for golf9.
Core muscles are also key in golf. A study in the Strength and Conditioning Journal says they help achieve the best performance10. Being fit helps golfers last longer on the course, too. Golf courses are usually 3 to 6 miles long10.
Getting a custom fitness plan can really help. TPI clinicians make plans based on a golfer’s fitness level9. They use 16 tests to find what’s holding a golfer back and how to fix it9.
Starting with a warm-up can also make a big difference. A 5-10 minute warm-up can make swinging more efficient9. By following these tips, golfers can play much better.
Golf and Cardiovascular Health
Golf is great for your heart. Playing golf often helps keep your heart healthy. It can even lower your risk of dying early.
Reduced Mortality Rates in Golfers
Playing golf regularly can make you live longer. Golfers might live up to 40% longer than those who don’t play. An 18-hole game is like walking three to five miles.
This walking is good exercise. It helps you live longer over time11.
Improved Blood Circulation
Golfing makes your blood flow better. You move a lot while playing, which helps your blood circulate12. Walking the course can be up to four miles.
This keeps your blood flowing well. Swinging the golf club also helps your blood move. It’s good for your heart.
Experts suggest jogging and walking together. Or using treadmills and elliptical trainers. These help your heart stay healthy11. They fit into wellness plans well.
Muscle Engagement and Golf: What to Know
Golf needs lots of muscle work, like the core and upper body. This helps with power, balance, and staying steady. Knowing this helps golfers get better and stay fit.
Core and Upper Body Strength
The core and upper body are key for a good golf swing. Dr. Greg Wells studied 17 national golf team players. He found that core strength is not the main thing for hitting the ball far13.
For women, it’s the lower body that matters most for hitting the ball. Men need strong upper bodies for this13. So, training these areas is very important.
Doing light exercises fast can help a lot. For example, swinging a club fast, throwing a med ball, and using bands can boost club speed14.
Balance and Stability
Keeping balance and stability is key in golf. Dr. Wells found that balance, flexibility, and posture are very important for golfers13. Regular practice helps improve these areas and boosts walking endurance on different grounds13.
Working out to challenge balance and stability can make you better at golf. For example, exercises that make you move in circles and keep your trunk stable can help keep your posture right during the swing.
| Fitness Area | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Core Strength | Stability and Control during Swing13 |
| Upper Body Strength | Power and Speed in Driving13 |
| Flexibility | Optimized Swing Mechanics13 |
| Balance | Consistent Performance on Varied Terrains13 |
| Fast-Twitch Muscle Engagement | Increased Club Head Speed14 |
Golf as a Stress-Reliever
Golf is great for fun and keeping fit. It also helps reduce stress. Golf courses are peaceful and well-kept, making them good for your mind.
Golf is easy on the body, so anyone can play. It focuses on mental strength and skill, not just being strong. This makes golf good for both your body and mind.
Walking an 18-hole course is about five miles. It’s good exercise and can burn up to 2,000 calories15. This activity also makes you feel happy by releasing special hormones16.
A study showed golfers live up to five years longer than non-players16. Golf also helps you meet new people, which is good for your mental health15.
The Black Girls Golf group has over 4,000 members in the U.S15.. It shows golf is for everyone. Playing golf regularly makes you stronger and helps you feel less stressed.
Golf and Fitness What Does Your Doctor Say?
When you think about golf and fitness, listening to doctor’s advice is key. This is true for anyone new to working out. Doctors can make sure your workout fits your health needs. In fact, everyone should talk to a doctor before starting any workout17.
This step is important to know if you have any health issues. These issues might affect how safe it is for you to play golf.
A good fitness plan helps your health and makes golf better. Being flexible helps you play golf better and stay safe17. Also, being able to keep going helps you play a full round17.
These points show how important fitness is for golf. They also show why doctors say health and safety come first.
“Being injured impacts performance regardless of skill level,” Dr. Rose emphasized at the 2016 World Golf Fitness Summit18. His insights highlight the critical link between maintaining one’s health and achieving optimal performance on the golf course.
Also, 84% of golfers see big improvements with a fitness program17. This shows how good fitness can make your golf better. Working on your core, flexibility, and endurance helps a lot17.
Tips to Incorporate Fitness into Your Golf Routine
Adding fitness to your golf routine is key for staying active and bettering your game. Warm-ups and strength training made for golfers can boost your performance, cut injury risks, and boost wellness.
Warm-Up Exercises
It’s vital to start your golf with the right warm-up. Use TheraBands for standing or seated rotations to strengthen your core19. Try single leg bridges to work your core, glutes, and more19.
Planks and their variations can make your core stronger19. Stretching your hips for 20-30 seconds on each leg helps your range and prevents injuries19.
Strength Training for Golfers
Strength training is key for golfers. Do 10 split squats on each leg with dumbbells that are 25%-50% of your body weight20. For upper body, aim for 5 proper push-ups and maybe a pull-up or chin-up20.
The UK’s National Health Service says keeping a healthy waist is important. Men should be under 94cm (37in) and women under 80cm (31.5in)20. A good fitness routine with strength and functional exercises keeps you active, improves golf, and lowers injury risks21.
Tee It Up
Golf is great for your health and happiness. Playing golf is like walking 3 to 6 miles22. It also makes your lungs work better and helps you relax by being outside.
Doctors say golf is good exercise. It helps you stay fit and healthy. Golf can make your muscles stronger and prevent injuries like back pain, which affects 70% of golfers23.
Doing strength training and HIIT cardio makes your swing stronger22. Stretching keeps your joints flexible and helps you swing better without getting sore23.
Golf is not just for your body. It’s also good for your mind. Millions of people play golf worldwide24. Adding golf to your routine can improve your heart health, muscle strength, and mental well-being.
Source Links
- https://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness/does-golf-count-as-exercise/ – Does Golf Count as Exercise?
- https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/body/exercise/golf-exercise-steps-burn-calories – Yes, Golf Counts as Exercise
- https://www.uhhospitals.org/blog/articles/2024/07/how-to-avoid-injuries-on-the-golf-course – How to Avoid Injuries on the Golf Course
- https://www.health.com/benefits-of-golf-8662637 – 11 Reasons Playing Golf Can Improve Your Health
- https://www.healthline.com/health-news/golf-as-exercise-experts-say-older-adults-can-get-physical-mental-health-benefits – Golf: Older Adults Can Get Physical, Mental Health Benefits
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6572041/ – Physical Activity and Sports—Real Health Benefits: A Review with Insight into the Public Health of Sweden
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/in-depth/osteoporosis/art-20044989 – Exercising with osteoporosis: Stay active the safe way
- https://www.golfandhealth.org/news/new-evidence-indicates-golf-improves-muscle-strength-and-balance/ – New Evidence Indicates Golf Improves Muscle Strength
- https://www.rwjbh.org/blog/2022/may/how-working-out-can-help-your-golf-game/ – How Working Out Can Help Your Golf Game
- https://worldhealth.net/news/golf-fitness-how-it-can-help-you-be-better-golfer/ – Golf Fitness: How It Can Help You To Be a Better Golfer – WorldHealth.net
- https://collegeofgolf.keiseruniversity.edu/importance-golf-cardio/ – The Importance of Golf Cardio | Keiser University College of Golf
- https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/better-me/the-health-benefits-of-golfing-for-older-adults – The Health Benefits of Golfing for Older Adults | Banner
- https://www.precisionnutrition.com/6-pillars-training-golf – The 6 pillars of training for golf with Dr. Greg Wells – Precision Nutrition
- https://fitforgolf.blog/the-science-of-speed-part-1-fast-twitch-muscle-fiber-recruitment/ – Science of Speed: Fast Twitch Muscle Fiber Recruitment
- https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/23/health/staying-well-golf-physical-mental-health/index.html – Playing golf might help you live longer | CNN
- https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/health-benefits-of-golf – Health Benefits of Golf
- https://www.foresightsports.com/blogs/golf-tips/dos-and-donts-golf-exercises?srsltid=AfmBOoocFXrKCtqeHYbWFYObR6NfISW0UZrMsDB6sLUcAoTq4UOt6dz1 – Golf Fitness Exercises: The Dos and Don’ts
- https://www.mytpi.com/articles/fitness/dr.-rose-talks-wgfs-and-strength-training-for-golf-on-the-18strong-podcast – Dr. Rose Talks WGFS and Strength Training for Golf on the 18STRONG Podcast
- https://www.sralab.org/articles/blog/four-exercises-improve-your-golf-game – Four Exercises to Improve Your Golf Game
- https://fitforgolf.blog/better-golf-fitness-health-a-workout-nutrition-guide/ – Better Golf Fitness & Health: A Workout & Nutrition Guide
- https://www.scottsdaleptperformance.com/functional-golf-exercises/ – 7 Functional Exercises to Improve Your Golf Game
- https://summitsportschiro.com/why-is-physical-fitness-important-to-your-golf-game-primary-keyword-fitness/ – How Fitness Improves your Golf Game | Summit Chiropractic & Sports
- https://www.itsworkingout.com/blog/2021/12/17/the-remarkable-health-benefits-of-a-golf-fitness-program – The Remarkable Health Benefits of a Golf Fitness Program
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4647149/ – Improving performance in golf: current research and implications from a clinical perspective
