The modern game of golf, originally thought to have its origins in 15th century Scotland, can in fact be traced back to the early Roman era. If you are not familiar with the game of golf, the main aim of the game is to use a series of clubs to hit a small white ball into a hole some far distance away. The game is generally played over a course consisting of 9 or 18 holes. It is played against a number of opponents, with the generally standard rules. The game is relatively easy to play but the type of course can vary greatly, with some being easy and others clearly geared towards the more seasoned professionals.
Is Golf Exercise?
The debate of whether golf is really a sport or just a pastime continues and even though the game itself has been around for centuries, the debate about whether golf is exercise still remains. If you consider the basics, such as the number of calories burned during a round of golf, there might be good argument to suggest that golf is in fact good exercise. Based on a study done by the Rose Center for Health and Sports Sciences, it found that golf players on average burned about 721 calories when they walked and carried their clubs compared to some 411 calories burned when players rode in carts. About 2.5 miles is the average distance walked per course and it is very easy to understand how many calories are expanded on the swing itself.
Good for your heart?
Golf players can burn some 2,800 calories while playing about 36 holes in a week. It doesn’t get you into the kind of physical shape that something like boxing would, and although it doesn’t necessarily improve your aerobic fitness, it puts them in the range of improving their overall health and lowering the risk of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Burning Calories
Most people believe that golf is not a sport as it doesn’t get your heart rate up, and as a slow moving activity it is considered more a mental activity than a physical one. Golf may burn up a fair amount of calories and is much better than doing no exercise at all, but if you are trying to get yourself fit, you will have to undertake some additional exercise as well. Something like lifting weights or working out on the treadmill will increase your level of fitness, and can also improve your golf game. You must remember that golf is not just a hobby, but a sport which additional exercises wouldn’t hurt either.
