5 Health Benefits of Golf for Seniors

As I age, my love for the sport of golf grows. As someone well into my 50s, I am learning there are a lot of benefits of golf for seniors. Far from being a sport reserved for the young, golf has emerged as a timeless pursuit that offers a multitude of physical, mental, and social advantages for those of us in our later years.

Golf is a timeless game with lots of benefits for those of us over the age of 50. It’s an ageless game not only great for social and health benefits but the benefits of golf also include mental peace. Most adults or retirees should start playing golf for exercise and fun as it’s a great outlet. It’s a way to engage yourself in activities that promote happiness and health in your life.

Everyone should find ways to immerse themselves in physical activities and a healthy lifestyle that will bring everyone happiness, less stress, and a better life. This simple game can improve your overall wellness including, the muscular system, cardiovascular, neurological, and physiological system.

According to Swedish research, a golfer can live five years longer than an average person; that alone is a great reason to start or keep playing golf when you are 50 or older. Furthermore, once you are past your 50s, you are at risk of getting various diseases like diabetes, dementia, mobility issues, muscle pain, and cardiac disorders.

So, taking part in games like golf will help to delay such conditions. Don’t worry; there are many golf clubs plus online golf sessions for seniors offering a discount. What better way to fill your day than playing golf. Even if you are over the age of 50, you are not too old to start.

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Here are the following significant golf benefits if you want to live a healthier life after 50.

The Benefits of Golf for Seniors

1.     Reduces Stress and Anxiety

a man in blue vest and red beanie holding a golf club - golf for seniors
Photo by Centre for Ageing Better on Pexels.com

Being out on the golf course surrounded by friends and nature has a way of removing all the stress and anxiety from your life. Just being on the course with its beautiful lush green grass, stunning trees and shrubs, free-roaming animals, and as much as we try and avoid it, its sand and water will put you at peace the moment you step on the first tee box.

Any golfer will tell you no matter how bad a day they may have had on the golf course, it beats a good day in the office any day. They will also tell you no matter how many bad shots you may have had in your round of golf for the day, it’s that one good shot or that one well-played hole that will make your day and bring you back to the course the next day.

2. Maintains Physical Fitness

Golfer's back swing
Photo by Casablanca Stock on Pexels.com

After 50, it becomes a bit more challenging to go hard in the gym every day or run those 5 miles in the morning like you did when you were in your 20’s and 30’s. Many people who do not play golf don’t realize that golf is a complete body workout. The golf swing promotes core muscle strength, and you can burn 1500 calories if you walk 18 holes. Even by using a golf cart, you can at least burn 800 of your calories.

As you and I get older, our joints get stiffer, but for golfing, we maintain a degree of flexibility by swinging the clubs. Our musculoskeletal system is involved in whole-body movements having bones and muscles. It’s most important to maintain the musculoskeletal system for a happy and comfortable life. Although through a gentle warm-up, you can prevent your muscles from being pulled while playing. Read my blog on Why Exercise is Important After the Age of 40.

7-minute meditation

3.     Low Impact Sport

elderly man playing gold in tilt shift lens
Photo by Casablanca Stock on Pexels.com

Golf is a comparatively low impact sport easy on the muscles and joints compared to running, swimming, basketball, tennis, and many others. Most golfers spend their time thinking of a strategy for scoring, hitting, and walking. The golf ground is soft as compared to the hard surface of other sports that may have concrete and hardwood.

Learning the proper techniques on how to grip the clubs and rotate through the shot will help prevent wrist and ankle joint injury as well as a sore back. Golf is a low-impact sport; that’s why it’s a great choice for people over the age of 50 to help maintain physical fitness with fewer injuries. Anyhow, golf is exceptionally beneficial for coordination and a better range of motion. But make sure to warm up your body before playing to reduce arthritis symptoms.

4.     Keeps the Mind Sharp

man in gray polo shirt and pants playing golf
Photo by Patrick Case on Pexels.com

Golf is filled with precise mental calculations such as grass depth, ball location, wind direction, distance, velocity, slope, and many more. That is how golf is a great way to keep your mind sharp and healthy. Seniors after retirement rarely come across the level of strategic thinking as they did in their office, that is why golfing is a great way to keep your brain fit. According to scientific studies, golf releases endorphins, which help to boost your mind and wellbeing.

Although it requires a lot of thinking in the game of golf, such as you have to plan your next shot, make a strategy by using your skills, focus, and visualize the ball’s trajectory; all of these things help keep your mind sharp and alive. Golf is a game that you not only play on the course but in your mind. After you have played a successful shot, you are more determined about playing your next shot even better.

5.     Socially a Lot of Fun

people on a golf course green
Photo by Martin Magnemyr on Pexels.com

Golfers can be a very competitive bunch. But most golfers truly enjoy the social aspect of the game. With our busy lives, it is harder to stay connected with family and friends. So regular golf outings can help to maintain and build a relationship with family and friends on the golf course.

Perhaps joining a club will encourage members to bring their family or partners along for a meal and other social events like tournaments and gatherings. Plus, you should join senior golf clubs as they are beneficial and are really friendly and welcoming.

Conclusion:

Now you realize how important golf is for those of you over the age of 50. Playing a round of golf will help your physical fitness, improve your mental sharpness, enhance your mood, and it will help keep you socially engaged by meeting and making new friends.

Go to the comment section and let us know your thoughts.

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6 responses to “5 Health Benefits of Golf for Seniors”

  1. […] come up with a replacement. With golf fitting in as a perfect social distancing sport, I found that walking the course gave me some challenges but it was best for me overall as I entered 2021. This allowed me to get in some steps build some […]

  2. I don’t know much about golf and have never played! Your post made me more interested!

    1. Awesome!
      I hope you will enjoy it. Please let me know how it goes.

      1. Ok, I will! Thanks!

  3. I’m trying to learn golf and I’m nervous but excited! Going out in the driving range alone to practice making contact is my first step to facing the uncomfortable 😣

    1. Hi Lily-Anne,
      I am so happy to learn that you are interested in learning how to play golf. It certainly can be nerve-racking when starting something new.
      1. I would certainly start with taking lessons. You can take group lessons that are relatively inexpensive. Taking lessons will help prevent bad habits before they set in.
      2. Chances are just like everyone who will be around you, you will not receive a pro tour card inviting you to play on the pro tour. So please just have fun and do not overthink it. Golf is a beautiful way to enjoy the outdoors with others and an even better way to meet new people who share your love of golf.
      3. Did you notice I said, “love of golf” in my point above? Once you start and stick with it, you will become obsessed with the game of golf. Golf can be addictive! Please have fun with it and enjoy it.

      Please let me know how it goes for you.

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