As the Ricoh Women’s British Open kicks off in Scotland later this month, Kate Whiting reveals the benefits of perfecting your swing
There are a number of myths about golf, one of the biggest being that it’s a game for men. But if you’re feeling inspired from watching the oldest championship open to female pros and amateurs, the US Women’s Open, and with the Ricoh Women’s British Open in Scotland later this month, there’s plenty to prove this wrong. Unlike some sports, golf can also be a game that improves with age.
Next year, golf will make its return to the Olympics for the first time in 112 years, but why wait until 2016 to catch the golfing bug? According to the experts golf is an ideal sport for bringing people together and, with its combination of exercise, sporting skill and social interaction; the perfect tonic for good health and happiness and a powerhouse of all the core ingredients doctors recommend for optimum physical and mental health, and wellbeing.
Here are five reasons to get into the golfing swing …
It burns calories
Playing 18-holes could burn at least 900 calories and will take you more than 10,000 steps, so you’ll easily achieve the 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week recommended by the NHS to keep healthy.
It helps keep the bones and body healthy
Think of all the vitamin D you could soak up in the sunshine, which is essential for strong bones. Not only that, but if you carry your clubs (in a double strapped bag), making it more of a weight-bearing exercise, you’ll prevent bone degeneration and create long, lean muscle mass to support your skeleton. Research shows that the exercise you’ll get will help lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease and could help you live longer. A study in Sweden found regularly playing golf increased life expectancy by five years.
It boosts wellbeing
There can’t be many things in life as relaxing as a morning pottering around a golf course in the sunshine. Outdoor exercise in a green space can boost mental health by reducing stress levels, enhancing mood and even improving your self-esteem.
It keeps you sharp
The game will also help you stay on the ball – literally. While it’s not a strenuous sport like running, your mind will be kept busy deciding which club to use and working out distances, how to overcome obstacles and which shot to play when.
It gets you socialising
With plenty of time for conversation and fun, golf is the perfect way to make new friends or grow closer bonds with people you already know. And there’s always the 19th hole …