When was the last time you ditched the golf cart and walked the course? I know, it’s so much easier, the sun is off your head, etc. There are a million reasons that we take the cart, but as many reasons as we have to take the cart, there isn’t even enough space here to include all the benefits of walking the golf course. Walking is simple to do, most healthy people can do it, and most golf clubs are the perfect place to get that exercise in during a round. You can start by walking the back 9 and progress to the full 18.
Here’s why you should consider it.
- Burns More Calories – Walking burns calories like any other exercise, but without the impact and stress that other forms of exercise can like jogging and running. Even if you’re not feeling well, you can go on a leisurely stroll and still get the benefits of the movement.
- Builds a Strong Heart – Working out always helps your heart because you cause your cardiovascular system to work a little harder, which is good for it when you’re healthy. Keeping your heart strong will keep you alive much longer.
- Builds Better Bone Health – As we age, our bones become more brittle and we experience more pain. This can lead to broken bones and other issues. But if you keep walking and moving, you’ll be less likely to develop those problems.
- Improves Balance and Coordination – The more you use your body, the more it works for you. Walking more often improves your balance and coordination because your body gets used to standing upright and moving more often. It’s a matter of practice and getting the muscles and ligaments strong and balance (and coordination) are so important to the game of golf.
- Improves Your Lung Capacity – Walking will get your breathing up and cause you to build your lung capacity. Usually, it takes about six to eight weeks of cardiovascular workouts to see the full improvement that you can experience. Even though you may not walk that fast as you walk to the tee box, you’ll still be doing your lungs some good.
- Lower Your Blood Sugar – People with high blood sugar can see huge benefits from walking and burning off that extra sugar in their blood. It’s not a cure for type 1 diabetes but it can help people with type 2 tremendously, and it can help people with type 1 lower their insulin requirements.
- Eases Joint Pain – Did you see that? Do you complain about how you ache when you get home from playing? As people age, they tend to get joint pain, often caused by arthritis. It might seem counter-intuitive to keep moving through that pain, but the pain from arthritis absolutely can be reduced from more movement. This is because arthritis causes a build-up of scar tissue in the joints from lack of movement, so if you move more it can stop that problem.
- Boosts Your Immunity – Getting your blood pumping and your cardiovascular system working will also boost your immunity from regular common illnesses like colds.
- Energizes You – Anytime you’re feeling tired for no reason, try going on a fast, ten-minute walk and you’ll find that you have much more energy. This is one reason a walk is an excellent way to take on the course.
- Improves Your Mental Health and Mood – A nice walk on a nature-laden golf course can vastly improve your mental health and mood. If you are feeling down, getting out in nature for walking instead of taking a cart can help.
- Helps You Live Longer and Healthier – When you incorporate daily exercise into your life, it will extend your life. Not only that, but you’ll also enjoy your life much longer because you won’t be as sick or in as much pain.
- Strengthens and Tone Your Leg Muscles – There is no hiding the fact that walkers have good legs, but it does also improve muscle tone all over your body – especially if you work on getting your arms in on the action (just don’t hit anyone with your driver as you walk along) and pay close attention to your glutes and core muscles.
- Boosts Your Creativity – Anytime you’re having a glut of good ideas for anything you’re trying to accomplish, going for a walk without technology, just you and nature (or just you and the treadmill), you’ll get a boost of creativity that will carry you through.
Walking is something almost anyone can do. Because of that fact, it makes it the perfect exercise to start if you want to get healthier and improve your life in every single way. When are you going to start your walking program?
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