People who play golf live longer on average and face a lower risk of death than those who do not, according to a survey.
Death Risk 40% Lower, Lifespan Five Years Longer
According to the "Golf and Health 2021-2025" report recently released by The R&A, an analysis of 300,000 golfers in Sweden found that golfers' risk of death was about 40% lower than that of non-golfers.
The gap remained the same even after accounting for socioeconomic factors such as age, gender and income. Life expectancy was also about five years longer among golfers.
The health benefit of golf that the report highlighted first was "walking." Playing 18 holes without an electric cart covers about 6.4 to 8 kilometers, or 11,000 to 17,000 steps. This means a single round exceeds the recommended daily step count of 10,000. Even when using a cart, players walk more than 6,000 steps on average.
Calorie consumption is also considerable, with an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 calories burned in a single round depending on the course terrain and mode of movement. The report added, "This amount of activity is enough to meet the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended physical activity standards for adults."
Positive for Muscle Strength and Mental Health
Golf was also analyzed as helpful in building muscle strength and balance. Walking up and down hills and repeating swings strengthens lower body muscles and improves balance, which can lower the risk of falls among the elderly, the report noted.
Since players walk the field with many others and talk for long periods, social interaction comes naturally. Researchers viewed these characteristics as capable of easing loneliness and depression and helping to protect mental health.
Dr. Andrew Murray of the University of Edinburgh, a medical and scientific advisor to The R&A, stressed, "More than 40 major chronic conditions, including heart attacks, type 2 diabetes and cancer, can have their risk lowered or their health status improved through regular physical activity like golf," adding, "Golf also has a positive impact on brain health."
Spectators who do not play a round directly were also found to gain considerable exercise benefits. Galleries who follow players around the course walk an average of 8 to 9.6 kilometers a day and burn more than 1,000 calories, the study found.
