It’s no secret that golf can be hard on the body, with its twisting and turning of the hips and elbows, as well as the lifting and lowering of your hands above your head. But despite these inherent problems, many aging family members swear by playing golf to stay healthy, both physically and mentally, especially as they age into their 70s and 80s. Here are the top surprising benefits of playing golf for older people in their retirement years.
Making New Friends and Getting to Know New People
Golf for elderly people is a great way to meet new people and make new friends. Many golf courses have lounges where you can talk with other golfers, socialize and form relationships. Making friends is not just a nice thing to do; it’s an important part of staying healthy and keeping your mind sharp. Your brain needs exercise too! There are plenty of benefits from exercising your body – why wouldn’t you want to exercise your brain? Even if you don’t consider yourself outgoing, many older people report they became much more sociable after playing golf regularly. And because it takes time to develop these friendships and get used to new routines, playing golf makes an excellent hobby for retirees on fixed incomes.
Provides Seniors with a Purpose
Keeping your mind and body active in your golden years is extremely important for maintaining a high quality of life. According to a Harvard study, elderly people who stay mentally and physically active report higher levels of happiness. In other words, if you want to make it through retirement without suffering from depression or anxiety, you need to stay busy. Golfing offers an extremely low-cost way for older adults to do just that. Not only does golf keep your mind occupied, but it also challenges your body. The rigors of trying to hit a tiny ball across a wide field give golfers an opportunity for physical exercise that can improve cardiovascular health and overall energy levels.
Develop a New Hobby
Many older people feel that they are too old to start new hobbies, but it can be extremely beneficial for their physical and mental health. When you’re getting on in years, it’s all too easy to sit at home and do nothing. But that’s a recipe for boredom, leading to depression and anxiety. Finding a new hobby will not only help keep your mind sharp but also give you something productive to do with your time – instead of racking up more bills watching TV!
Build Up the Leg Muscles
Many people think that when it comes to their health and body, they are out of luck. This is simply not true; there are many ways to better yourself and your life with exercise that doesn’t involve running on a treadmill for hours or lifting weights at a gym. Consider taking up golf when you want to stay in shape but don’t want to break a sweat (especially as an elderly person). The game works all muscles in your body, builds your stamina, and can help improve your eyesight and hearing through simple tasks like putting into play.
Build Core Strength
One of the most important things, when you’re trying to stay fit and healthy, is to build core strength. Having a strong core helps maintain flexibility, alleviates chronic pain, and is just plain good for your body in many ways. There are several ways to build your core, but playing golf could be one of them. Believe it or not, playing golf has helped many people with their core strength—perhaps more than any other sport! Golfers get their hearts pumping for up to four hours at a time as they swing their clubs and get in great shape without even realizing it! If you haven’t considered taking up golf as a way to help with your fitness level and overall health, now might be time.
