Despite its “leisure sport” label, golf offers a variety of health benefits. Whether you are new to shouting “fore” as you navigate around sand and water or have many years of golfing experience, consider the physical, emotional, and mental health benefits you enjoy every time you step onto the green. You may be surprised just how much golf helps the body and mind.

How Does Golf Benefit Your Health?

1. Stimulates the Brain

Golf requires strategy since each hole features different hazards and has varying levels of difficulty. You must determine which club to use and how to position yourself, while also predicting where the ball will land to move forward with the game. The walking involved in golfing also helps the brain by fortifying its memory circuits and subsequently lowering your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Increases Cardiovascular Health

All of the walking involved in golf boosts cardiovascular health, especially when you play on a 200-acre course. Swinging and carrying golf clubs also gives the heart a good workout and increases your life expectancy by reducing your risk of stroke, heart disease, and other cardiovascular problems.

3. Reduces Stress

Fresh air, beautiful landscapes, and blue skies make it easy for the day’s stressors to melt away. Golf allows you to spend more time outside, which refreshes the mind and body to reduce, if not eliminate, stress and anxiety. The outdoors is a known mood enhancer.

4. Improves Bone Health

The “gentleman’s game” improves bone health in two ways. First, your body absorbs vitamin D from spending several hours in the sun to support bone growth and overall health. Second, it provides load-bearing exercise benefits from carrying your clubs to further strengthen your bones.

5. Promotes Healthy Weight

Walking briskly over the rolling green can burn hundreds of calories an hour, especially if you carry your clubs instead of keeping them in the cart. It helps maintain a healthy weight—without the risks associated with high-impact sports—while also improving endurance since you spend hours walking over several acres of terrain.

Reap these rewards by scheduling your next golf game at Coulee Golf Bowl, the beautiful course in Onalaska, WI. Also featuring a renowned restaurant, bar and grill, and state-of-the-art bowling alley, this stunning location has something for everyone. Call (608) 781-1111 today to book a tee time, or learn more about the course online. Get the latest course news and restaurant specials on Facebook.