| There's a common fallacy that golf is a non-exercise | | | | *Aging. As we get older, it's harder to get up, to get |
| sport. "Sure," you say, "there's a bit of walking, but if | | | | moving in the morning, to walk up stairs. The flexibility |
| you're riding in a cart and just swinging a little club | | | | you develop through golf, and the strength you get |
| around, how much exercise is that, really?" | | | | from the walking, swinging, and other movements will |
| You'd be surprised. Golf has many health benefits that | | | | help you age more gracefully and likely more |
| benefit young as well as old, men and women alike. It's | | | | healthfully. Many doctors prescribe golf to older |
| one of the most popular sports in America today, and | | | | patients who don't get enough exercise for this very |
| our population is likely a bit healthier for it. | | | | reason. |
| The health benefits of golf are numerous: | | | | *Physiological. Researchers report a benefit to mood |
| *Cardiovascular fitness. If you walk a golf course, you | | | | and overall psychological health to people who get |
| derive all the benefits of walking, along with the extra | | | | enough sun, particularly in the winter. If you think you |
| benefits of golf. If you walk your entire 18-hole course, | | | | suffer from a seasonal mood disorder (and experts |
| you are walking nearly 5 miles. Not a bad stroll for one | | | | believe most of us do to some degree), getting a bit of |
| day. Even if choose to use a golf cart, there's | | | | sun and a bit of outdoor activity can prove to be a big |
| significant enough benefit from the walking you will do | | | | boost to your mood and overall psychological |
| from the cart to the hole. | | | | well-being. In most climates, golf is an all-season sport. |
| *Strength and flexibility. Swinging a golf club is an | | | | *Better sleep. Experts say you sleep better when you |
| excellent strength builder, building flexibility, agility and | | | | get regular physical activity, and better sleep benefits |
| coordination. These are important qualities to develop | | | | not only your day-to-day activities, but likely your golf |
| when you're young, but absolutely essential to develop | | | | game as well! |
| and protect as you get older. | | | | |