Golf is a sport of choice for people of all ages. For those in their golden years, however, it does more than just make you feel relaxed; there are actual benefits of golfing. Of course, this depends on how you play the game. To get the most benefit out of it, you need to get the right posture, tools and pace yourself especially when it’s hot. When done correctly, it is an enjoyable and competitive game that is easy to understand, and you can find yourself playing hours of golf especially in the weekends. There are some proven benefits of playing golf on a regular basis including:
Cardiac Benefits
Golf might seem benign at first, but when you play a full game, it has a positive impact on your heart as it is a gentle cardiac exercise. The physical activity of golfing results in improved heart circulation, a reduction in cholesterol levels and an increase in the dopamine levels in the brain, which make you have a happy mood. They also reduce the effect of pain stemming from conditions such as arthritis. Walking, swinging the club and everything in between can result in you walking for several miles in the span of an hour without you noticing the distance. Doing this on a regular basis will keep your heart in good shape and might even slow down aging by a small factor. If you are not that athletic, you could try working out by golfing regularly, and then going up the ranks by joining a gym or dance class. Our Signature Health & Fitness program has all these activities and more, so you won’t need to do much to access them.
Brain Stimulation
In addition to dopamine, the exercise you get when golfing also results in an increase in brain endorphins and proteins known as BNP. Both of these increase neural activity in the brain, make it easier for brain cells to form new connections and strengthen the connections (and therefore the speed of communication) between different areas of the brain. This results in an overall increase in brain health and function. In addition to that, you have to figure out issues such as wind, elevation, direction and grass depth to determine which iron to use and how hard to hit the ball. Making these mental notes over and over again speeds up the process of thinking and decision making, and this will spill over into other aspects of your life. It improves your ability to focus on multiple things at once to come up with a conclusion.
Calorie Consumption
It is important to burn calories during any age, and golf makes it very easy for people who are in their retirement age. The fact that you are enjoying the game and are not noticing time flying by or the distance you have covered is a pleasant addition to that, since it means that you will have burnt calories without even realizing it. After going for several golfing sessions, you will find yourself that much slimmer and fitter. The reduction in calories can also improve your metabolic function, resulting in even more calories burnt even while seated. When combined with a healthy diet and a moderate amount of exercise several times a week, you will definitely develop a toned body in a few months without putting a lot of work into it.
