The Top 5 Health Benefits of Golf

Golf is an incredible sport, with a lot of benefits for mental and physical health. Since people can play it competitively and casually, golf offers something for all players. 

It’s not surprising that golf is good for a person’s body and mind. Whether or not a person is playing professionally, golf offers plenty of physical activity, tranquil views, and quiet courses. Many people enjoy golfing as a form of stress relief and exercise, a way to escape their troubles in life and spend some time outside. 

Golf is an excellent way to unwind, especially at the end of a long day. Since it is a social sport, golf can provide a way for a group of people to enjoy peace, tranquility, and some friendly competition. 

If you’re interested to learn about the various benefits of golf, you’re in the right place! We’ve compiled a list of golf’s top 5 advantages. Find out how golf can benefit your health by reading below!

1. Golf is Excellent for Mental Health

Connecting with nature has been regarded as a way to improve mental health for years drastically. Going outside for at least half an hour every day is a great way to activate endorphins in your brain, allowing you to feel happier and more at peace. 

Golf enhances these effects by allowing participants to go outdoors and work toward a common goal. This goal, combined with the beautiful, natural scenery, can get a person’s mind off anything that might be troubling them. 

According to the National Library of Medicine, golf is an excellent form of therapy for individuals with mental health or substance use disorders. In a 2019 study, researchers found that golf therapy provided a complete social foundation for the 12 individuals participating in the study. 

Additionally, subjects stated that their focus was improved, along with their concentration. The study found that golf therapy served as an effective way to reduce their mental symptom burden. 

2. Golf is a Great Source of Vitamin D

A little sunshine is healthy for everyone, especially since you need Vitamin D. Since golfers spend a lot of time outdoors, they get all the Vitamin D they need when on the course. 

According to the National Institute of Health, ultraviolet light from the sun naturally creates Vitamin D when interacting with skin cells. Vitamin D helps the body create calcium, all while leading to bone demineralization. Adequate Vitamin D intake can prevent osteoporosis and rickets for children and adults. 

Since golf is an excellent way for children and adults to soak up the sun, it is an excellent source of Vitamin D. Golfing frequently is a great way to improve calcium intake while keeping bones strong and healthy. 

3. Golf Offers a Unique Way to Exercise

Did you know that going outside for only a few minutes a day can drastically improve your physical health?

It’s true; the US Department of Health and Human Services recommends exercising at least 30 minutes a day to improve their overall mental and physical health. 

The Department of Health and Human Services states that an adult should exercise for around two and a half hours every week to achieve moderate health benefits. The most significant health benefits come to adults that do over 5 hours a week of dedicated exercise. 

Not only does exercising set a healthy precedent in a person’s life, but it can also have positive effects such as living longer or preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

Golf can help keep a person’s body in good shape while contributing positively to overall health. Golf makes exercising fun, providing golfers with a healthy challenge and plenty of gorgeous scenery along the way.

4. Golf Enhances Your Social Life

Golfing with friends is always an excellent way to start or end a day. There is plenty of time to converse when golfing; the standard 18 hole length of a typical course provides ample room for conversation. 

This social aspect is why so many people choose to catch up with friends on the course. Golf provides the perfect avenue for conversation, all while allowing for a bit of competition between old friends. 

Playing a game of golf is a great way to keep the conversation interesting, too. Golfing provides people with the space to talk about their lives and the game itself, which can be incredibly engaging.

If a person wants to reconnect with old friends or schedule something with new acquaintances, golf is one of the best ways to get the conversation started. 

5. Golf Helps You Connect With Nature

Golfers can all agree that being on the course can be highly relaxing. With so many beautiful vistas, abundant wildlife, and flowering trees and plants, golf courses are a great way to reconnect with nature and spend some time outside. 

Many schools and organizations have published research on the benefits of nature to a person’s general health and well-being. Time spent in nature can help a person overcome various adverse health conditions, leaving them feeling refreshed and content after heading home.

Yale’s School of the Environment states that 120 minutes is the average time a person needs to spend outdoors to feel completely mentally rejuvenated. Despite a person’s background or job, nature can eventually leave them feeling rejuvenated and optimistic.

The University of Minnesota states that nature positively impacts a person’s health, such as reducing heart rate and production of stress hormones. They also note that time spent in nature can help a person maintain a positive mood and overcome stress and anxiety.

Learn More With Indian River Golf Foundation

If you’re excited to get on the course and experience the health benefits of golf for yourself, contact the Indian River Golf Foundation. We would love to help you tee up. If you have any questions about our organization or any of our programs, feel free to reach out at (772) 713-9593 or reach out via email.