- Golf can prevent serious conditions such as heart disease and dementia
- Research findings published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine
- Playing the sport can improve the health of hearts, arteries and lungs
Ben Spencer Medical Correspondent For The Daily Mail
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Playing golf can add years to your life and prevent serious conditions such as heart disease and dementia, researchers have found.
To its detractors, golf is a ‘good walk spoiled’, as American author Mark Twain put it.
But a major review of the health benefits of the game shows it has significant physical and mental value for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Playing golf can add years to your life and prevent serious conditions such as heart disease and dementia. Pictured pro golfer Phil Mickelson of the United States
Scientists analysed findings from 5,000 studies looking at associations between golf and well-being.
Their review, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, concludes that playing golf can improve the health of hearts, arteries and lungs, and has a positive effect on metabolism.
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It could also help people suffering from chronic conditions including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, bowel and breast cancer, and the effects of stroke.
The physical benefits were said to increase with age, and older players experienced improved balance and stamina, researchers said.
Lead scientist Dr Andrew Murray, from the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre at the University of Edinburgh, said: ‘We know that the moderate physical activity that golf provides increases life expectancy, has mental health benefits, and can help prevent and treat more than 40 major chronic diseases such as heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, breast and colon cancer.
Golf could help people suffering from chronic conditions including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, bowel and breast cancer. Pictured England’s Justin Rose
‘Evidence suggests golfers live longer than non-golfers, enjoying improvements in cholesterol levels, body composition, wellness, self-esteem and self-worth.
‘Given that the sport can be played by the very young to the very old, this demonstrates a wide variety of health benefits for people of all ages.’
The study found golfers typically burned a minimum of 500 calories over 18 holes.
Golfers walking the full course could cover four to eight miles, while those using electric buggies typically chalked up four miles.
The physical aspects of golf could also help reduce the risk of anxiety, depression and dementia, researchers found.
The study is part of the Golf and Health Project, led by the World Golf Foundation.
Future research will focus on the effects of golf on mental health, muscle strengthening and balance.
Irish professional golfer Padraig Harrington, European vice-captain at the 2016 Ryder Cup, said: ‘The Golf and Health Project is clearly taking an important step forward to shine a light on the benefits of our sport.
‘I have seen how impactful golf can be on peoples’ well-being – now it’s time to get this message out there.’
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