Health Benefits of Golf
 


Health & Wellness

Report shows Health Benefits of Golf

The World Golf Foundation and Golf 20/20 commissioned The Walker Research Group
to  identify and report on the body of literature pertaining to the health and
wellness benefits of golf participation.

Key Findings – Health Related Benefits:
* A walked 18-hole round, carrying a bag or using a hand/pull cart, is
approximately equal to a 5-mile walk.
* The total caloric expenditure for an 18-hole round is approximately 2,000
calories for walking while carrying clubs and 1,300 calories when riding in a
cart.
* Since walking is biomechanically more efficient than running, playing an
18-hole round of golf walking is roughly equivalent to a 3.5 to 4-mile run.
* When walking 18-holes of golf, blood glucose levels fall by up to 20% for
the young, 10% for the middle-aged, and 30% for the elderly players, and body
weight is slightly reduced for all groups.
* Repeated golf practice enhances balance control and confidence among all
age ranges.
* Older golfers tend to have better static and dynamic balance control and
confidence than non-golfing older, healthy adults.
* Regardless of handicap, sex, or course played, golfers exceed 10,000 steps
during a typical round of golf – which meets the guideline for exercise
recommended by most medical and clinical physicians.

Other ways to burn 1,300 calories:
* Strength Training for 2 hours and 45 minutes
* Aerobic Activity for 2 hours and 10 minutes
* Jogging on a Treadmill for 2 hours and 10 minutes 




Want a good work out? Need to burn some calories? Play Golf!!

The health and wellness benefits of golf have been discussed more frequently in
recent months and have increasingly been a part of golf’s messaging to all
interested in playing the game.  Because of this increased interest, the World
Golf Foundation has conducted a worldwide review of the topic.

A recent literature review conducted by the Walker Research Group on behalf of
GOLF 20/20 revealed several statistics regarding the health and wellness
benefits of golf:
* Calories burned:
+ playing 18 holes and riding = 1,300
+ playing 18 holes, walking and using a pull cart = 1,500
+ playing 18 holes, walking and carrying your clubs = 2,000
* A walked 18-hole round = 5 mile walk and meets the 10,000 steps per day
guideline for exercise recommended by most medical and clinical physicians.
* Since walking is biomechanically more efficient than running, walking an
18-hole round of golf is roughly equivalent to a 3.5 to 4 mile run.
* Exercise intensity and energy cost of playing 9 holes = 40 minutes of lawn
mowing for adult men.
* Walking three 18-hole rounds per week provides enough exercise for weight
maintenance for all ages.

2009 Play Golf America Health & Fitness Fact Sheet
•
Studies show that playing golf has health and wellness aspects. Those who play golf four times a week and walk the course expend nearly 8,000 more calories a week than golf cart riders. That translates to an additional loss of nine pounds over three months (source: Golf Fitness Laboratory at Pitt Medical Center's Center for Sports Medicine).
•
Another study conducted in Denver, Colo., concludes that those who walk a 9-hole course can expect to walk an average of 2.5 miles. Those who walk 36 holes a week will burn around 2,900 calories a week. Studies show that burning 2,500 calories a week improves your overall health by lowering your risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer (source: Neil Wolkodoff, Rose Center for Health and Sports Sciences).
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While promoting good health and exercise, Play Golf America events also help improve your golf game by providing free or low cost expert instruction from PGA and LPGA Professionals.
•
Studies reveal that walking is good for your health and what better place to walk than at a golf course with its beautiful settings. You can get fit while playing a game you enjoy and ultimately live a longer, healthier life and improve your game. Health and fitness experts advocate that taking 10,000 steps per day, which is equivalent to five miles (8,800 yards), will improve your overall fitness and help control your weight.
•
One of the great things about walking is it offers both physical and mind/body benefits that are often immediate, according to Dr. James M. Rippe, member of Taking Care’s Medical Advisory Board (source: walkinggolf.com).
•
According to the highly respected former Surgeon General, Dr. C. Everett Koop, “Studies have shown the strong health benefits walking can also have in protecting golfers against heart disease. Any form of walking is good for your ticker, even if that means you’re just chasing after your 150-yard banana ball all day long.”
•
Playing the game of golf can improve your quality of life. Walking 9 or 18 holes of golf (with or without a cart) can help oxygenate the body, improve posture and renew your spirit. (source: Doctorsordersplaygolf.org)
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According to the Health Status calorie counter: A person who weighs between 150-200 pounds, will burn between 2,000 to 2,700 calories by walking an 18-hole golf course. You must burn 3,500 calories to lose one pound.
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According to the new Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, adults gain substantial health benefits from two-and-a-half hours a week of moderate aerobic physical activity and children benefit from an hour or more of physical

 

 
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