The sport of golf is an excellent way to promote fitness and health: it involves a lot of outdoor activity, and can promote fitness even as it exposes you to sunlight and fresh air.
However, as with any recreational sport, golf has its own health and fitness risks, as well as areas in which you can work to optimize your game. Do yourself a favor and enjoy the sport with optimal health in mind. In the process, why not take this time to support USA-manufactured, union made products like sunscreen and hand sanitizer—must haves on courses and clubs. Or invest in a golf trolley that makes course maneuvering easier than ever.
If you’re looking for more health and fitness, these tips should help you to optimize your next game of golf.
1). Practice & Warm Up
If you practice your golf swing and warm up before you play, you will minimize the chances that you will strain a muscle or have other playing-related issues. This is the same basic principle as with any sport: if your body knows what it’s doing and you warm it up ahead of time, you will stand less risk of injury when you’re actually playing golf.
One good route to improve your practice is to acquire some golf training aids, a set of cuff-like devices with a connecting rod that will help you to improve posture, stance, and the motion of your swing.
If you spend some time practicing with golf training aids, you’ll be on track for a much better and safer game of golf.
2). Be Sure to Hydrate
Here’s the thing: when you’re golfing, you’re usually outside in warm weather for long periods of time. So, it’s important to plan ahead by hydrating before you even set foot on the green.
Of course, the best way to hydrate is by drinking water. Drink a couple of glasses of water early on, preferably when you get up.
Once you’re at the course, don’t stop drinking water. Again, you’re going to need to stay hydrated for a protracted period of time.
Try to avoid sugary beverages: they are not fundamentally healthy for you. Instead, put some fruit into your water and allow it to steep.
3). Sunscreen
Optimum sunshine is one of the wonderful benefits of golf: it’s a good chance to get some health-promoting sun and enjoy the outdoors. With that said, it comes with a risk: sunburn.
Sunscreen is important to protect your skin from damaging UV rays of the sun while you’re out on a golf course. Even an overcast day may expose you to the risk of sunburn.
Keep a tube of sunscreen handy when you go golfing, and you will be prepared to keep your skin protected and safe.
4). Prepare by Doing Cardio
Playing a full 18 holes can be very draining, so it’s a good idea to prepare by doing a little cardio regularly. Do some cardio training a couple of days a week, and you’ll be in good shape for persevering through all 18 holes of golf.
Cardio also has wonderful fitness benefits in general, so you’re likely to find it becomes one of your favorite parts of your schedule.
5). Be Sure to Stretch
Golf involves a lot of powerful, fast movements with the hips and shoulders. There’s no reason to be too worried, but it’s a good idea to be cautious and stretch ahead of time to avoid injury.
In particular, you’ll want to stretch your hips and your shoulders. It’s important to have that full range of motion before you go and make swings.
Once you’re on the field, take the time to warm up your legs, your hips, your upper body, and your core muscles. This will help you to really get ready.
Stretching ahead of time will warm up your muscles and promote fitness. This will lead to better performance on the green.
6). Dress for the Weather and Activity
You’ll want to dress appropriately for the weather, but it’s also a good idea to think about the process of golfing itself. When you play golf, you need to move powerfully and with a great deal of strength, and that means clothing that is lightweight and breathable enough to accommodate the motions of golf.
Think light, breathable fabrics, such as some well-made cotton, and you’re in the right territory. Avoid jeans and other fabrics that will tend to impede movement.
Conclusion
Golf is an excellent fitness-promoting sport, one which can help you burn calories and increase heart health. It’s a great way to get some exercise while enjoying the sun and the outdoors.
At the same time, there are health and fitness issues to beware of, and ways in which you can up your game for better results.
Try these health and fitness tips, and see how they work for you in your next game of golf.