Golf: A Lifetime Sport With Endless Benefits
The great thing about golf is that it’s a sport you can enjoy throughout your entire life — and one that’s even been found to increase your life expectancy by up to five years. It’s a wonderful choice for boosting mental and physical development in growing kids, and equally beneficial as a social outlet for seniors looking to stay fit and sharp.
Thanks to the low-impact and non-contact nature of the game, it carries a low risk of injury and offers the unique opportunity to continue your skill mastery until an advanced age. For these reasons and many more, it’s one of the best lifetime sports you can choose to keep your mind, muscles and social connections strong.
And of course, in these stressful pandemic times, it doesn’t hurt that golf is pretty much the official sport of social distancing.
“The great thing is that once you get to the first hole and tee off, you’re in a wide open space where it’s easy to stay safe and physically distanced,” says Don VanDeusen, assistant general manager at Fairway Hills Golf Club. “It’s a sport that’s uniquely conducive to getting some fresh air, exercise and much-needed fun during these challenging times.”
The many benefits of playing golf
First things first: Playing a lifetime sport is kind of a big deal. Since you’re much more likely to stick with a form of exercise you enjoy, it’s one of the most vital keys to staying healthy and active well into your golden years. Widely known as a sport that’s “easy to learn and difficult to master,” golf can keep you on your toes both mentally and physically for decades.
What’s more, it’s also a wonderful family sport, one that can keep your crew connected and making memories for decades to come. And while golf might be considered leisurely, its health benefits are nothing to sleep on! Here’s just a few ways the game works its magic on your wellbeing:
- Enhances cardiovascular health
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Helps you maintain a healthy weight
- Improves cognitive function
- Strengthens muscles, especially in your core
- Improves sleep (fresh air + outdoors + socialization + exercise= a winning combo)
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Research even shows that playing golf regularly, at least once a month, is associated with a lower risk of death. Among regular golfers, there was a significantly lower rate of death (15.1 percent) compared with the rest of the group who did not (24.6 percent).
Golf’s benefits also famously extend beyond just the physical…being out on the greens is just plain good for your spirit! It brings you into the present moment and focuses your attention on the here and now — no small feat in today’s fast-paced culture. It’s also forever been a social sport, one where bonding is par for the course. Golf creates friendships and fosters trust in a green, serene setting, which is yet another way it relieves stress and boosts your heart health.
Ready to get in the swing?
There’s no doubt about it: Golf is a hole-in-one for your health. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a total beginner, CA provides a great golf experience for all ages and all skill levels. Our two courses, Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club and Fairway Hills Golf Club, offer different experiences and options for play. Plus, you don’t have to be a CA member or even live in Columbia to enjoy our state-of-the-art courses. Learn more here.