What Are The Benefits Of Golf In Later Life?

March 27th, 2023

The benefits of golf are great for everybody, but it can be an especially good activity for seniors. In fact, most golf players in the UK are aged 60 or over. Here, we look at the benefits of senior golf and how golf is a great way to stay fit and healthy both physically and mentally.

The Benefits Of Golf For Seniors

As we age, we’re more prone to joint and muscle stiffness and to weakened eyesight and hearing. However, there is no reason why we must think getting older means we must be less active. On the contrary, finding a sport, or any kind of exercise, to enjoy can help to reduce the effects of ageing. There are a great number of physical benefits of golf for seniors, as golf is a sport that uses the whole body. In addition, golf requires both lateral and logical thinking and so is great exercise for the brain too.

The Physical Benefits Of Golf For Seniors

As we all know, golf is an outdoor sport, and can be played for around nine months of the year in the UK, from around March until October. One of the most obvious benefits of golf is, therefore, the opportunity to get out in the fresh air and enjoy your surroundings. However, there are many more physical benefits of golf than you might get from your daily walk round the park.

1. Healthier Heart And Bones

The average 18 hole game of golf can see senior golfers walk up to 6 miles in one round, according to Golf Monthly. Depending on the golf course, it could even be more. Walking is excellent exercise, as it increases the heart rate, strengthens bones, and can lower blood pressure. Osteoporosis and heart disease are both more common in the older generation, so the miles walked during a game are one of the biggest physical benefits of golf for seniors.

2. Muscle And Joint Strength

Senior golfers will no doubt know that a golf course isn’t just a case of getting from A to B. You’ll be presented with small peaks and valleys, have to navigate tricky holes and, of course, modify your swing regularly. You’ll most likely be carrying your clubs too. This range of stimulus contributes to keeping senior golfers fit and healthy.

These varied movements and techniques help senior golfers with endurance and stamina, strength and stability, and balance and flexibility. Keeping muscles and joints moving for a prolonged period in a number of ways really is one of the most valuable benefits of golf for older players.

3. Hearing And Eyesight

Perhaps one of the more underrated benefits of golf is the focus required. Senior golfers will need to work on their hand-eye coordination to successfully hit the ball and will be more successful when attuned to the sights and sounds of their surroundings. Keeping your senses busy helps to keep them sharp. A round of senior golf means several hours using your eyesight and hearing to the best of its ability.

Mental And Emotional Benefits Of Golf For Seniors

Having a hobby in general keeps our minds active and stimulated. Golf is particularly good for focusing the mind, so is a great way to enhance accuracy and concentration. In addition to giving our brain a boost, there are several other benefits of golf for mental and emotional wellbeing.

1. Vitamin D

Vitamin D has been shown to regulate our mood and a lack of Vitamin D can result in similar symptoms to depression. We get natural Vitamin D from being outdoors during daylight, which is exactly why seniors golfers can benefit from all that time outside on the golf course. Vitamin D is sometimes called ‘the sunshine vitamin’ and can boost energy levels, improve mood, and even help with sleep.

2. Mental Stimulation

Golf isn’t just a long walk as some people might say – it’s a game of skill that requires the player to concentrate. Senior golfers will need to apply problem solving skills to every game of golf, especially if the ball ends up where it shouldn’t. Equally, senior golfers must use visualisation techniques and unlock their creativity when thinking about swinging, driving, and putting the ball.

3. Social Interaction

One of the best benefits of golf is that it’s a group sport and is best played with friends. For senior golfers, having a golf club to belong to or even a regular group of friends to meet up with can stave off loneliness and simply make life more enjoyable. Socialising releases endorphins, which are natural painkillers and enhance feelings of pleasure. We can’t think of a better reason to get on the golf course.

Golf For Seniors

As you can see, golf for seniors is a really great way to get some exercise and improve wellbeing. There is no age limit for playing golf or learning to play golf for seniors. Many of our New Care care homes are surrounded by leafy green golf courses in beautiful areas, such as Bramhall Golf Club near Bramhall Manor Care Centre or Cookridge Hall Golf Club near Adel Manor Care Home in Leeds. Meanwhile, Ashlands Manor Care Home in Sale is a short distance from Ashton Golf Club, and both Formby Manor in Merseyside and The Hamptons Care Centre in Lytham are surrounded by championship golf courses.

Find Out More About New Care Homes

We encourage our residents to take part in activities in and out of the care home environment and regularly schedule trips to local places of interest. If you’d like to find out more about the living experience in a care home, or how we help to keep senior residents healthy and active, please contact us to arrange a visit.