GOLF WELLNESS

WITH

Did you know golf is a sport played by more than 60 mil lion people on six continents? -

Around the world, people of all ages are heading to the golf range or enjoying friendly or competitive rounds. And with the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in the sport continues to grow. In fact, the National Golf Foundation (NGF) recently reported that there’s only been one other year that saw a bigger rise in interest in golf — when Tiger Woods gained popularity in 1997.

“Rounds of golf were up year-over-year in every single state in the continental U.S. for the months of June, July, August, September and October,” the NGF reports. “That translates to over 50 million more rounds nationwide than a year ago, an unprecedented turnaround for an industry that lost 20 million rounds in the spring due to virus-related course shutdowns.”

While this is good news for the golf industry, the increased interest in golf could also potentially be good for every American as research has shown playing regularly can be good for your overall health. Golf can provide good exercise, and may be associated with longevity and wellness benefits.

Full disclosure: golf also carries relatively small but real health risks. You can get injured while playing golf, and golfers have an increased risk of getting skin cancer. That’s why it’s important to have a medical provider you can trust.

Studies show that any health benefits or problems that result from playing golf depend on several factors, including your age, gender, genetics, and your level of fitness and wellness. The topography of the course and your frequency of play will also influence how golf impacts your body.

It is recommended that Americans exercise for a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity (brisk walking), 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity (jogging or cycling) or some combination of the two every week. In addition, individuals should engage in muscle strengthening activities at least two days a week.

Many adults, however, do not meet those goals, and that’s where playing golf can help, especially if you choose to skip the cart and walk the course. The average course length on the PGA Tour is approximately 7,200 yards. That’s 4.09 miles!

Dr. Alan Douglass, director of Middlesex Health’s Family Medicine Residency Program and an avid golfer, says just walking the golf course is a great form of exercise. It can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke, and improve muscle tone and endurance. In addition, walking burns calories and promotes weight loss. Studies show that walking 18 holes can burn 800 to 900 calories. “On average, active people live longer,” Dr. Douglass says. “In fact, a Swedish study showed golfers live five years longer than non-golfers.”

Golf, a sport that you can play throughout your lifetime, also has mental health benefits. It can help relieve stress and improve your mood. Being outside and exercising can also help you sleep better, and golf can help increase self-esteem and confidence, and build social connections. It can help you stay in touch with friends, meet new people, and network. Charity tournaments can keep you connected to your community.

In many cases, golfers with disabilities can play equitably with able-bodied golfers or with golfers who have other types of disabilities. This positively impacts their overall health, both mental and physical.

Spectators can also see health benefits — even if they never swing a club. Active tournament spectators who walk the course benefit from an increase in physical activity, much like the golfers!

While playing golf can offer significant health benefits, you also need to be careful. Put on sunscreen, wear a hat to reduce the risk of getting a sunburn, and be sure to get your annual skin check. Excessive sunlight exposure can increase your risk for skin cancer.

Also, be sure to stretch, and listen to your body. Playing golf rarely results in serious injury, but problems, such as rotator cuff tendonitis, golfer’s elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, and back strains do occasionally happen due to overuse or incorrect technique. You could also sustain an accidental head injury from being struck by a ball or club, and this can have serious consequences.

Always be aware of your surroundings, don’t overdo it, lift and carry your clubs safely, and seek medical care when needed. Be sure to warm up before you start playing by doing some aerobic exercise and golf-specific mobility exercises. Also, don’t be afraid to take a few practice swings! Research shows this will help maximize performance and minimize injury.

If you are playing golf with someone who does not exercise regularly, Dr. Douglass says to encourage that person to start a walking program before they hit the course for the first time. They should gradually work up to walking the distance of at least nine holes, he says.

“If they have problems with their hands, arms, shoulders, knees or back, they may want to check with their medical provider before they start swinging a golf club,” Dr. Douglass adds.

The goal is always for you to stay healthy and well, but Middlesex Health is ready to help should you need medical care.

As a recipient of the Healthgrades 2021 America’s 100 Best hospitals Award™, Middlesex is in the top two percent of nearly 4,500 hospitals assessed nationwide for its consistent, year-overyear superior clinical performance as measured by Healthgrades, the leading resource that connects consumers, physicians, and health systems. Its mission is to provide high quality, compassionate care, and the best experience possible to its patients.

Middlesex Health primary care providers can monitor your overall health, help you tackle any problems and coordinate your care if you need to see a specialist. Primary care offices are located throughout Middlesex County and along the Connecticut shoreline, making it easy for you to find an office close to home.

Middlesex orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists can help you get back on the course as soon as possible after an injury. Many other specialty providers, including gastroenterologists, podiatrists, oncologists and pulmonologists, provide treatment and care for specific problems that can impact your health — and ultimately your golf game.

And if you are facing an extremely complicated problem, you can benefit from Middlesex Health’s relationship with Mayo Clinic. Middlesex Health is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. This relationship provides Middlesex with access to information, knowledge and expertise from Mayo Clinic. It means you may be able to get a second opinion from the No. 1 hospital in the nation without leaving Connecticut.

For more information about Middlesex Health, visit MiddlesexHealth.org. For more details on golf as it relates to health, click here to check out the 2018 International Consensus Statement on Golf and Health. This research, published by the British Journal of Sports Medicine, is meant to guide people, policymakers, and the golf industry as they make important decisions.