The Health Benefits of Golf

Believe it or not, golf is actually good for your health.  Even the United States Golf Association thinks so; they also advise that you should walk the golf course and try to avoid – as much as possible – riding golf carts. 

Although riding golf carts is the most convenient way to get yourself from one hole to the next, it will actually be good for your body if you walk your legs along the greens.  Doing so pumps your heart, circulates the blood all over your body, and is a good and fun way of exercising.

David Fay from the United States Golf Association also thinks that the most pleasurable way to play golf is by walking.  Riding carts, he said, should as much as possible be stopped now.Walking is a good form of exercise.  It is the most basic and easy program of getting fit which almost anyone could do. Simply put, walking is good for you.                                                                           

Although some believe that walking the golf course is a very unhealthy thing to do because of the nature of the game – the start and stop process of golf playing.  In actuality though, there have been scientific studies as well as evidence of people actually telling their personal experiences on the positive effects of walking through a game of golf. 

In Sweden in particular, there are researchers who discovered that walking through a game of golf equals to about forty to seventy percent of intense workout in an aerobics class.  This is assuming that about eighteen holes were played.

In another study by a cardiologist named Edward Palank, golfers who walked were found to be in a better state of health because the level of bad cholesterol in their body decreased.  Meanwhile, the level of their good cholesterol was steady.  Those golfers who settled to ride their way across the golf course on golf carts,, however, did not show these same positive health results.

Also, according to Golf Science International, four hours of golf playing was found to be comparable to attending a forty five minute fitness class.

Another golf association, specifically the Northern Ohio Golf Association, stated that when a golfer walks across a course, it is roughly equivalent to walking for three to four miles.  This included walking around hills, over greens and tees.

Not convinced yet?  Maybe you should try doing the following activities and see, as well as feel, the difference for yourself.

During a round of golf, try to walk along alternating holes so that by the end of your round of golf you should be able to have walked through a total of nine holes.

If you aren't feeling up to it yet as fully as you should, that's okay.  Maybe you could try walking on a set of nines while you can ride the other set.

If you have a golf partner and he or she insists that you ride along with him or her, make sure that you only ride on the path of the cart.   You can then walk down to the fairway towards your ball and then your partner could bring the golf cart up.Are you convinced yet?  If not, try to look at it this way.  If your health is not good enough for you to settle to walk those legs and pump that good old heart of yours, then at least take pity and be considerate of the damage that golf carts do to fairways.

Believe it or not, golf carts do create damage around sand traps and around the greens.  Even if carts are not supposed to ride along these areas, sometimes though, depending on who is behind the golf cart’s wheel, they still at times do.

For the sake of the greens, go walk!  Because of advances in technology, there are now grasses that are able to grow on areas that they originally are not supposed to grow on at all. As a result of this, golf courses look as amazing as they were before.  Unfortunately, these same golf courses are as subject to a lot of wear and tear as well.

Driving a golf cart along these beautiful greens subjects them to unnecessary damage.  So now that you know, it would not hurt you to consider walking along, across, over, or through those greens now would it?

Tips on Buying Golf Equipment That is Right for You

How do you know which golf equipment, what kind and type you should purchase?  To make it easier for you to know which is which, the following are some tips you could keep in mind when you are shopping for your first set of golf clubs, golf balls, etc.

Do not forget to shop and ask

The best way to start is from your own home or set of friends, business partners or even your next door neighbor.  They may be into golf as much as you are.  Why don’t you try asking their opinion and recommendations on the kinds of golf equipment you can buy. 

Or you could casually walk into a sports shop and ask advice from there.  You could also ask your neighbor who may be into golf also.  They may have ideas to give to a new golfer like you.  It is a very efficient and practical way to gather ideas.

Know your goals in playing golf

Be realistic about your wants and your needs.  By being able to identify your goals before you actually go out there to shop, you make it easier for yourself to select the kind of equipment you should buy.  It is impractical to buy a new set of golf clubs and to spend too much time and money selecting the best kind if you only will get to use it once or twice a year.  Buying what suits you makes your shopping easier, plus you get to save money buying what applies most to your unique preferences. 

Of all games that are available out there, why in the world did you decide to choose golf?  Is it because you want to play at least twice a year with your business partners and you do not want to feel left out among their circle?  Or is it because you are sincerely and devotedly interested enough to learn and play it for as long as you get the chance? 

Be aware how interested and dedicated you are to playing golf

Basically put, how dedicated are you? Okay, so you are willing to spend for your golf equipment.  Now, just how much effort are you going to put in playing golf?  How much do you plan to practice?  For how long?  Are you planning to take golf lessons?   If your answer is an ambiguous  “not much”, it is probably best that you buy the kind of clubs that are less costly.  But if your answer is a resounding “yes”, and that you are so willing to spend the necessary time and effort to better your golf playing, it would not be a bad idea if you settle for the type of golf equipment that costs a bit higher than the regular ones.

Should you buy new or used golf equipment?

If in the past you are used to engaging in a new hobby and then a few weeks, months or years later decide to drop it like a bad habit, then the chances of your dedication to the game of golf may just as well be that – a passing fancy.  It is best therefore to buy equipment that is slightly used.  They are a lot cheap ones compared to the new ones but it is probably just as effective.  If in case you do decide to take up golf seriously, you could always have the equipment replaced with a new one, or if you are to drop the game altogether, you can always give them to others who may need it or sell it.

Be familiar with your options on golf shafts

To any one who is just beginning to pay golf, it is important that he or she pay attention to golf shafts.  The composition of the golf shaft – either it is steel or graphite – and the flex of the shaft – how much the shaft bends when swung. 

Compared to steel, graphite is a lot lighter and could help create a quicker swing speed.  Meanwhile, steel is a lot more durable and a lot cheaper compared to graphite.

Since graphite is easier on the swing and is a lot softer to flex, people who prefer to use these are women and senior citizens.  However, men who are younger and a lot stronger tend to lean towards the regular and stiff shafts.

Choose your club

A good golf swing is priceless.  Golfers who are just beginning to learn the tricks of the trade need to select golf clubs that lean towards those catered to higher-handicappers.  It is best that you choose irons that weighed in perimeter and backed by cavity. 

Try looking at those sets of hybrid.  This is where the irons are long (usually 4- or 3- or 5-) and are usually substituted by utility clubs.

Here is one of the best online resources for more great golfing instruction - Golf Tips