Cardiovascular health is a vital aspect of overall bodily health and mental well-being. A strong heart protects against developing heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. Unfortunately, many people do not get enough exercise to maintain good cardiovascular health. Fortunately, golf can be an excellent way for individuals to improve their cardiovascular health while having fun at the same time.
Golf offers a range of benefits that help reduce stress levels and improve physical fitness and mental concentration. By incorporating some regular golfing into your weekly routine, you can quickly start seeing improvements in your overall cardiovascular health.
Golf as Exercise
As we age, finding ways to stay active and fit becomes even more critical. Golf is an excellent option, as it combines physical and mental activity. It gently keeps your heart rate up and provides low-impact aerobic exercise that can help improve the strength and endurance of your cardiovascular system.
Here are some ways golf offers exercise:
Walking
Walking is a good form of cardiovascular exercise. You can walk a lot when playing golf, especially if you forgo a golf cart and walk the course instead. A Mayo Clinic study showed the average number of steps in 18 holes of golf was around 11,948. A player could easily get in 10,000 steps in one round of golf.
Strength
In addition to the cardiovascular benefits of walking, playing golf can also provide strength training benefits. Golf is a great way to improve your muscular strength and endurance, requiring you to use all major muscle groups.
Swinging the club works several muscles in your arms, shoulders, and core. Walking around the hills and valleys of the course gives your legs a workout, and carrying or pushing a golf bag will also help build upper-body fitness.
Balance and Coordination
Another benefit of regular golf is that it helps improve balance and coordination due to controlling your swing speed and where you target each shot. This improved balance from swinging clubs can also help reduce the risk of falling later in life when bones become more brittle with age.
Regularly playing golf or even practicing on an indoor putting green can be an effective way for people to improve their overall physical fitness and build muscle strength and endurance over time.
Golf to Reduce Stress
Playing golf is a great way to reduce stress, which also helps improve your overall cardiovascular health. Studies show too much stress can cause high blood pressure, strokes, and heart attacks. Golfing can be an enjoyable activity that provides relaxation. Being outdoors in nature often helps to distract from everyday anxiety and worries, allowing the mind to take a break.
Additionally, doing an activity that provides mental stimulation distracts from stressful thoughts and feelings. A good game of golf requires focus and concentration away from phones and technology. This allows players to clear their minds of any negative thoughts or feelings.
Managing stress on the course is essential, as it ensures that each player has an enjoyable experience regardless of how well they are playing or how many strokes they take per hole. Taking deep breaths, staying positive, and enjoying the surroundings reduce stress while playing golf.
The social aspect of golf can also help minimize stress and anxiety, leading to better cardiovascular health.
Tips to Gain More Health Benefits from Golf
Now that we've discussed the health benefits of golf, let's dive into a few other tips to help improve your health while you enjoy time on the course:
Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking water has been shown to reduce the long-term risks of heart disease. When you're enjoying a beautiful day and a good game of golf, it's easy to forget to stay hydrated. Bring a big bottle of water with you when you go golfing, and set a goal to finish it by the time you putt on the 18th green.
Walk, Don't Drive
Add more steps to your day by walking the course instead of riding in a golf cart. Those extra steps can go a long way toward building strength and endurance and keeping you in better physical shape.
Avoid Frustration
Golf can be a frustrating game. That frustration can lead to anger and stress. Remember that unless you're getting paid to play, the game is all in good fun. Understand your skill level and expect to hit several bad shots each time you go out there. That way, it's not a surprise if it happens, and you can quickly return to enjoying yourself.
Bring a Friend
Research shows that creating connections and having friends can help you live a longer, healthier life. The next time you plan to go golfing, take a friend with you. You'll likely have a better time, which will also help you improve your mental and physical health.
Practicing Your Swing at Home
In addition to getting out on the green, enhancing your game at home is just as crucial. Investing in the best indoor putting green can offer immense value. It provides the opportunity to maintain your skill set, without worrying about the weather or booking time slots. Practicing on these quality indoor putting greens will enable you to master your putt strokes, fine-tune your timing, and improve your overall game. This addition to your routine will ensure you're not just improving your cardiovascular health, but also taking strides towards becoming a more proficient golfer.
Final Thoughts
Playing golf is a great way to improve cardiovascular health and have fun. Regular golfing helps to increase physical fitness levels by providing strength training and improving balance and coordination. Additionally, socializing with friends on the golf course can help reduce stress while enjoying the fresh air outdoors.
If you've been looking for an excuse to get out and golf more, remember, it's better for your health!