By MELISSA ROOTH-CORMIER
For the Reporter
Recently I came across a health article that really made me feel better about my golf game. It just so happens that a study was conducted in Sweden that showed greater life expectancy for those of us who play golf versus those who do not! People who golf in Sweden, which has more than 600,000 golfers, are required to register with the Swedish Golf Federation. Sweden also maintains a record of all the deaths that have taken place for decades. Researchers in this study were able to link the two databases to learn about the impact of golf on mortality. They compared the golfers and non-golfers and found that golfers were 40 percent less likely to have died than non-golfers of the same age.
It could be that the increase in exercise explains the benefits the researchers saw. Unfortunately, we don’t know what level of exercise the non-golfers completed on a regular basis. However, golfing in general is good for life expectancy and the more someone plays, the greater the benefits. When golfer’s handicaps were put into the equation, golfers with the lowest handicaps had the greatest reduction in the risk of death. In summary, the more you play, the more it pays — and that is great news!
My parents are a great example of longevity and golf. They both are avid golfers in their 80s who play two to three times per week. My Dad even shot his age last year, with a score of 83. They have played golf around the world, made lifelong friends, and share a love for the game that has benefited their marriage of more than 60 years. Additional benefits can also include reducing stress, increasing social contacts and being outside.
Summer is here, and what better way to enjoy the beautiful Pacific Northwest than a lively round of golf? Think about it – it takes about five hours to play 18 holes. You’re outside, burning calories, possibly taking in sun. In fact, if you carry your own clubs, you can burn an estimated 300 calories or more per hour! Just make sure you don’t erase all the benefits at the 19th hole. Alcohol, hamburgers and other clubhouse fare will put all the calories you just used right back into your body.
My mind has been focused on improving my golf game. Now that I know all those shots that I’ve been taking are adding up to more than a score I’d like to forget, I have a different appreciation for being out on the course. This is a good thing, and I’m beginning to love this sport more than ever!
Rooth-Cormier is a personal trainer in Sammamish with her own business, TOPline
Fitness – Personal Training @ Home. She can help you get started with a fitness or golf
conditioning routine. To learn more or for help with a fitness or golf conditioning routine, visit
www.toplinefit.com.
Sources: B. Farahmand, G. Broman, U. de Faire, D. VŒgerš, A. Ahlbom (2008) Golf: a game of life and death – reduced
mortality in Swedish golf
players. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports.
