Pictured is Joan Seaman after getting a hole-in-one.
Gail Schroeder
According to Healthline.com, researchers found that playing golf regularly at least once a month was associated with a lower risk of death. Among regular golfers, there was a significantly lower rate of death (15.1 percent) compared with the rest of the group who did not (24.6 percent).
According to the American Heart Association, 69 percent of all adults in the U.S. are overweight, and that number is climbing. As seniors age, we are also less likely to exercise regularly due to lack of energy or physical impairments. Vigorous exercise may adversely affect our cardiovascular systems and joints. Golfing is a sport that is not as strenuous as some other forms of exercise, and has the added benefit of socializing, which is also very important for your health. During this time of sequestering, many people are anxious for some fellowship time. Many of SunBird’s Golf Club members meet in the Horizon Room after golfing and enjoy lunch together.
To further boost your endorphins, you have the opportunity to do what Joan Seaman did. She scored a hole-in-one on hole 14 on March 2. Not only did she get accolades from her peers, she also won $73.
Many women like me deal with osteopenia or osteoporosis. My family physician told me that walking was the best thing you could do to prevent further bone loss. If you use a handcart, it is great exercise! Driving a motorized golf cart may cut down on the amount of exercise you get, unless you golf like I do—I get a lot of exercise walking to and looking for my ball. However you golf, it builds muscle and bone strength, improves coordination and balance, and mitigates the risk of age-related disease.
So, I suggest golf, golf, golf. It’s good for you!