Over 25 million Americans play golf regularly. It’s a widely popular sport and, maybe to your surprise, makes for a great overall workout.
Think about it, you’re outside, surrounded by trees on a sunny day, and walk anywhere between 3-6 miles during a round.
These are only some of the reasons why golf makes for a great workout.
Keep reading to learn more.
You’ll Burn A Lot Of Calories
A full round of golf (18 holes) can burn up to 1,600 calories. That’s the equivalent of running for about 3 hours.
Now, golf takes a bit longer, but it won’t feel nearly as exhausting.
The reason you’ll be burning a lot of calories is that you’ll most likely walk a lot on the golf course. Between shots or between holes, you’ll have a nice stretch of walking before you take your next swing.
The swing itself doesn’t require much strength, so golf is suitable for people of all ages and genders.
Whether you’re just starting out with golf or have been playing for a while, you might struggle to play 18 consecutive holes. Many beginners start with 9 holes first, and you can even play fewer holes if you have difficulties with endurance during a round.
As a tip, book an afternoon tee time on a course that isn’t too busy when you’re getting started. You might need some extra time, and by playing during off-peak hours (usually early in the morning), you’ll make sure that you don’t hold up play on the course.
Sun And Fresh Air
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Most golf courses, even the ones in the city, are surrounded by trees and plants. Trees naturally clean the air around you, and you’ll be able to breathe in fresh, CO2-rich air on the golf course.
On good weather days, you’ll also get plenty of sun on the golf course. This restores your vitamin D resources which are essential for a good night’s sleep, healthy skin, and strong bones.
Makes sure to enjoy the sun in limitations, though, and always use sun protection. On extra sunny days, consider carrying an umbrella or sleeves that protect your arms from the sun.
According to a 2011 study, around 1 billion people worldwide and 41.6% of Americans have low vitamin D levels.
Getting on the golf course regularly will help you restore these levels, which increases your overall wellbeing.
Better Sleep
The exercise, sun, and fresh air make for an excellent basis for good sleep. While you might feel exhausted after your round, you’ll definitely be tired in the evening.
A good night’s sleep helps your body to recover, and the low-intensity cardio you’ll do on the golf course can even help you recover from a day in the gym.
According to the CDC, 1 in 3 adults don’t get enough sleep.
Sleep is essential for your health and helps your body and mind to recover.
Great Motivation For Additional Workouts
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Once you catch the golf bug, there is coming back. Many players will feel motivated to work on their physical fitness and mobility to improve their game.
While golf is a sport that can be picked up at any age and especially popular with seniors, increasing your mobility and strength will significantly improve your golf game and make it easier for you to get into the correct positions during your swing.
A good golf exercise will consist of mobility training and work out your core muscle groups. A strong core, strong legs, good shoulder, and hip mobility are the basics of an efficient golf swing.
Once you decide to take your game to the next level, you might find yourself on the yoga mat, working on your flexibility, and lifting weight in the gym.
This additional workout improves your overall fitness level and prepares you for a great round of golf.
Increased Flexibility
We mentioned that flexibility is essential in the golf swing. Namely having flexible hips, shoulders, and back.
While injuries are uncommon for recreational golfers, being flexible adds an extra layer of protection to avoid any golf-related injury.
We recommend stretching before a round and incorporating mobility work into your regular workout routine.
What To Do Next
Golf is a great sport you can play at any age and anywhere in the world. Start by getting a cheap set of clubs, seeing a professional for lessons, and going to the driving range once in a while.
Once you can get the ball in the air consistently, you’re basically ready to go on the golf course.
Who knows, you might found a hobby you want to continue for the rest of your life, and the added health benefits will improve your overall wellbeing.
About The Author:
Hi, my name is Francesco, and I’m the owner of mygolfheaven.com. I love helping golfers get better at the game and review the latest golf equipment to help you make better bing decisions.
I started playing golf at a young age and can’t ever get enough of it. I currently play off a 4 handicap, and my favorite club in the bag is my 8 Iron.
