If you are not feeling up to going to the gym, head out your door and enjoy a game of golf. Golf is a great way to improve your health, especially if you choose to walk and carry your own bag. Golf builds muscle, increases your endurance and gives you a good sweat.
Cardiovascular Exercise
If you avoid riding in a golf cart, and choose to walk, you are giving yourself the opportunity to receive a good cardiovascular workout by the end of your game. Playing 18 holes, is roughly equivalent to walking 3.5 to 6 miles, this includes tough terrain, such as hills. Walking the links increases your heart rate and caloric expenditure. Engaging in any form of cardiovascular exercise decreases your risk for many diseases, such as cancer, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Builds Strength
You may not think of it while playing a round of golf, but you are getting a great strength training workout. Carrying your bag, which can be 30 pounds or more, to swinging your golf clubs, builds and strengthens your muscles and bones. If you don't have backpack-style golf bag, switch shoulders when carrying your bag to take the strain off your upper torso and neck.
Vitamin D
According the Mayo Clinic, "half of American adults may be deficient in vitamin D." You can get vitamin D through foods and supplements. However, just by catching some rays while playing a game of golf, your body is able to make vitamin D on its own. This vitamin is essential for absorbing calcium and keeping your bones strong.
References
- "Fitness; The Complete Guide"; Frederick C. Hatfield; 2010
- Mayo Clinic; Vitamin D Deficiency Common but Easily Treated With Supplements; Philip Hagen, M.D.; August 2009
- The Washington Post; Walking vs. The Golf Cart; Lenny Bernstein; May 2010
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