Did you know that playing golf can help you manage and prevent heart disease? Research has not only affirmed this but also established that playing golf can extend your lifespan by at least five years. Experts have further stated that regular participation in golf can aid in preventing and managing various health conditions, particularly cardiovascular diseases.
Sports physicians agree that playing an 18-hole round of golf involves walking approximately five to seven kilometres, providing substantial aerobic exercise. This level of physical activity can help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Sports Medicine Australia, for instance, has stated that “golf can be good for your health and your heart.”
Walking an average golf course for a full round typically covers a distance of five to seven kilometres. According to studies, “If you walk 18 holes three to five times a week, you’ll get an optimal amount of endurance exercise for your heart. If you pull your clubs or carry them, you’ll burn even more calories each round and benefit even more.”
Findings on golf and longevity
Research indicates that golf positively impacts lipid profiles and glucose metabolism. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that, despite golf’s lower exercise intensity, its longer duration and higher energy expenditure have favourable effects on metabolic factors. The study concluded that such aerobic exercises are beneficial for preventing cardiovascular diseases and can serve as a treatment strategy for improving cardiometabolic health.
A 2008 study conducted by the Swedish Medical University, Karolinska Institutet, found that the death rate for golfers is 40 per cent lower than that of non-golfers, translating to an increase of approximately five years in life expectancy. The study, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, analysed data from 300,000 Swedish golfers and confirmed golf’s beneficial health effects.
Professor Anders Ahlbom, who led the research team, stated, “A round of golf means being outside for four or five hours, walking at a fast pace for six to seven kilometres, which is known to be good for health. People play golf into old age, and there are also positive social and psychological aspects to the game that can be beneficial.”
Another study by the American Heart Association corroborated these findings. Their research found that golfers had a death rate of 15.1 per cent compared to 24.6 per cent among non-golfers. The study, titled “Effect of Playing Golf on Cardiovascular Diseases and Death in Older Persons: The Cardiovascular Health Study”, was published in 2020.
The researchers examined cardiovascular disease risk factors in adults aged 65 years and older. The study, conducted between 1989 and 1999, involved approximately 5,900 participants, among whom 384 played golf regularly. The findings showed a significantly lower death rate among regular golfers compared to non-golfers (15.1% vs 24.6%).
Mental well-being and social benefits
Beyond physical health, golf also contributes to mental well-being. The social interactions inherent in the game can reduce stress and improve mood. Additionally, regular golfers have been associated with increased longevity. The International Consensus Statement on Golf and Health also reports that golf is linked to improved mental well-being and a longer life expectancy.
According to Dr Andrew Murray, a researcher at the University of Edinburgh, golf provides moderate-intensity physical activity that benefits both physical and mental health. He stated, “Golf can provide health-enhancing physical activity and has the potential to improve life expectancy.”
A 2016 study led by Dr Andrew Murray, under the supervision of Professor Nanette Mutrie and Professor Helen Grant, conducted at the University of Edinburgh, remains one of the most comprehensive studies on golf and health. The research findings were published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine under the title “The Relationships Between Golf and Health: A Scoping Review.”
The researchers affirmed that golf provides moderate-intensity physical activity and is associated with numerous physical health benefits, including improved cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic profiles, as well as enhanced well-being. They concluded that, “Practitioners and policymakers can be encouraged to support more people to play golf due to its associated improvements in physical health, mental well-being, and potential contribution to increased life expectancy.”
A sport for all ages
One of the unique aspects of golf is that it can be played well into old age. The study by the American Heart Association highlighted that unlike high-impact sports such as football, boxing, and tennis, golf remains accessible to older adults. Dr Adnan Qureshi, lead author of the study and Executive Director of the Zeenat Qureshi Stroke Institute, stated:
“We are hopeful our research findings could help to expand the options for adults to include golf. While walking and low-intensity jogging may be comparable exercises, they lack the competitive excitement of golf. Another advantage is that older adults can continue to play golf, unlike other more strenuous sports. Additional benefits include stress relief and relaxation, which golf appears to facilitate better than other sports.”
Golf is undeniably a popular sport worldwide. It is played on a large outdoor course, with the objective being to propel a small hard ball into a series of ‘holes’ with as few strokes as possible, using a variety of wooden or iron-tipped sticks known as ‘golf clubs’.
Golfers have noted that the sport provides a stimulating mental challenge combined with a healthy walk in pleasant surroundings and is accessible to individuals of all abilities and ages. Golf can be played alone or as part of a team, either as a casual pastime or a competitive sport. It also serves as a great way to maintain friendships, reduce stress, meet new people, and develop a sense of community.
The immense benefits of golf have prompted the current President of the Nigeria Golf Federation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, to encourage more Nigerians to take up the sport. He remarked that golf can be played at any age and specifically stated, “I appeal to all Nigerians to disabuse their minds of the notion that golf is for the elite. Golf is for the living mind—anyone who is alive, golf is the right game to tap into.”
Getting started and improving
One of the good things about golf is that while you compete against others, you can also challenge yourself to improve on your previous best score. A good way to get started is by taking lessons to acquire the fundamental skills before heading to the course. Experts and studies have even confirmed that learning golf is feasible and safe, even for elderly individuals with cognitive challenges.
“Do you want to live longer and prevent cardiovascular conditions? Then get into the swing of golfing,” the American Heart Association has urged.
