Playing Golf = Live Longer
June 3rd, 2008
I have a confession to make, I really don’t like golf. I don’t understand it and I certainly don’t get those who live for it.
My father-in-law is a mad golfer. He recently visited from the USA and whenever he saw any green grass he would crane his neck and excitedly ask, is that a golf course! No Bill, it’s a patch of grass to which he would slump a bit and say, oh, it looked like a golf course. He is completely in-love with the game, bordering on obsessed. I don’t get his pre-occupation with golf but I know he is not alone. We often see crazy men and women braving all sorts of horrendous weather conditions at our local golf course. I shake my head at them as I pass by in my cozy and warm car. Why on earth would they want to be out in that weather when they could be sitting in front of the fire cozing up to their loved one or dog.
And the weird thing, they wouldn’t have it any other way. As Bill explained to me, it’s the challenge of improving your game. Having played a round with him, I can honestly say Bill, you certainly have a challenge ahead of you…… you really do ;)
Finally, a reason to play golf! Researchers have found that people who play golf, regardless of sex, age or socio-economic factors live on average 5 years longer than those who don’t. Those that are really good at golf live even longer.
The reserach has been published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports and based on data from 300,000 swedish golfers. It showed that there are beneficial health effects from playing with the death rate amongst golfers 40% lower than the rest of the population. This equates to an increased life expectancy of 5 years. Pretty amazing really.
Professor Anders Ahlbom, who led the study said that “A round of golf means being outside for four or five hours, walking at a fast pace for six to seven kilometres, something which is known to be good for the health,” he says. “People play golf into old age, and there are also positive social and psychological aspects to the game that can be of help.”
I’ve only played, if you can call it that, a few times. I would say I am in the bad to very bad category of golf players. If I am lucky, very lucky, I’ll actually connect the golf club with ball. Most of the time though I hit either side of the ball or just dig holes in the earth directly behind it. I have never found it enjoyable, rewarding or fun. It annoys me and I can’t imagine that if I played regularly that it would increase my life as the stress and frustration builds to a point where I just want to throw my club at those who can actually connect with the ball!
That being said, given this new found knowledge and if I could play, then I might actually consider signing up at my nearest golf club.
Oh, BTW – Bill lost the game of golf to his daughter that hadn’t played in over 10 years!
Just to finish off, seemed appropriate to add a video full of golf bloopers I hope you enjoy it :)
June 4th, 2008 at 11:53 am
I’m a golfer but have not been playing for the last few years due to children however you have just given me a good incentive to return very soon.
Did the study look at the effects of the 19th hole on our bodies?
June 4th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Hi Nicole,
I’m glad that this post has sparked your interest in golf again.
I don’t know about the effects on the body ( and mind) after 19 but I can tell you that after only 9, I was ready to concede defeat and head home for a nice cup of coffee!
FYI – a study did find that golfers who play 18 holes walk 13,000 steps, not bad.
Thanks very much for commenting :)
Sally
June 4th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Hi again :)
My partner told me last night that the 19th is the bar. Like I said, golf isn’t my sport!!
I think it’s another good reason (perhaps) to take the game up ;)
Sally