Taking Golf to Heart

While it’s often described as ‘good walk spoiled,’ new research indicates that the health benefits of a round of golf outweigh those of any walk—spoiled or otherwise—for people 65 and older.

Published in the BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine, the study compared the effects of three different forms of “age appropriate” exercise for seniors: one hour of walking, one hour of Nordic walking (i.e., walking with special poles), and playing a round of golf while pulling clubs.  While all three forms of exercise lowered blood pressure and reduced levels of blood sugar and cholesterol, golf had slightly more beneficial effect on blood sugar and cholesterol. Researchers believe the longer duration and higher energy expenditure of a game of golf are what put it at the top of the leader board.

The study also indicates that while golf can help prevent cardiovascular diseases in healthy older adults, it can also benefit those who already have a cardiovascular disease.

And if you needed another reason to consider lacing up a pair of spikes, you need look no further than 2020 study from the Golf Science Journal which linked golf to improved mental well-being. Like other physical activities, golf is a proven treatment for depression and anxiety and can help individuals improve their confidence, self-esteem, and anxiety levels. Plus, because it’s played outdoors, golfers enjoy the mood boosting and stress busting benefits that time in nature provides.

Scott Rogge, MD is a board-certified specialist at SVMC Cardiology. 

Whether you’re new to the game of golf or a seasoned player, you can enjoy the benefits at the following local courses. *Indicates a course is either fully public or offers public-access hours.