Does a game of golf keep the doctor away?

We’ve all heard the old wives’ tale of an apple a day keeps the doctor at bay, but now scientific research has shown that playing regular games of golf also keeps the doctor away.

Well being and golf

The study was conducted by the World Golf Foundation and is part of the Golf and Health Project, which involved reviewing 5,000 studies on well being and golf. The results were great for the world of golf and sport in general, especially noticing the added physical benefits with a player’s age.

This is also a basis for further research, asking if golf has a connection to improving mental health and muscle strength. Dr Andrew Murray, lead researcher on the project, said: "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."

Golf in the spotlight

From these excellent results, the study has gone on to explain that playing golf certainly has the potential to not only meet and but to also surpass the minimum recommendations set out by the government for moderate to vigorous physical activity.

Players walking an eighteen hole course burn a minimum of five hundred calories and the distance covered can be anywhere between four to eight miles. Those that use a golf cart tend to only walk four miles around a course.

This study has helped to push the game back into the spotlight, proving that it is a sport that can keep you fitter and in better health for people of all ages.

This data can be not only be used by governments and sporting governing bodies, but also golf businesses, PGA professionals and many more to help boost people to keep active and benefit the sport, with the aim of hopefully getting more people interested and taking part. Steve Mona, CEO of World Golf Foundation, said: "This project is something we can all get behind, as it is universally agreed that golf is good for you.”