Play Golf To Keep Your Heart Content

A recent scientific study has revealed a round of golf offers health benefits far beyond that of a ‘good walk spoiled’.

Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland studied 25 regular golfers, aged 65 and over, to examine the cardiovascular impact of low-intensity exercise.

They compared the effects that a round of golf had on the participants’ health with a regular 6km walk and a higher-intensity 6km Nordic walk — hiking with walking poles that uses upper body strength.

It found that while all three aerobic activities had a positive effect, golf had the biggest impact on blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol.

Study author Julia Kettinen, a former top junior golfer in Finland and now a golf coach, said her research demonstrated the sport could help prevent a heart attack or stroke later in life.

“The study confirms that playing golf by walking is a form of proper health exercise,” she said.

“(Golf) can be recommended for healthy older adults as a means to prevent cardiovascular diseases and improve cardiometabolic health for those already suffering from cardiovascular diseases.”

The study tracked participants’ steps, distance, pace and calories used during each period of exercise.

Kettinen found that while a round of golf is a lower intensity workout than both walking and Nordic walking, its longer duration resulted in more calories being used and a greater subsequent reduction in blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

“This was surprising as previous studies have suggested that higher-intensity exercise is required to improve blood glucose levels,” Kettinen said.

“Golf also had a longer-lasting effect on reducing total cholesterol levels despite its lower intensity.”

While we’d like to say we told you so, Kettinen reiterated that a round of golf is only effective when walking the course — not driving a cart.

“I hope that our study will encourage people to play golf by walking and reap the health benefits that come with it,” she said.

“Golf is a great way to exercise as it motivates individuals to move, often without even realizing the distance they've walked (up to 8-9km) during the game.”

It further confirms what many golfers already know — golf is good for you.

Now it just might save your life, too.

Click here to read the research paper.