10 Awesome Reasons to Start Playing Golf
Golf is a sport that has been enjoyed by millions of people for centuries and was first played in 15th-century Scotland. Playing golf offers many great benefits beyond just getting some exercise and being outdoors. In this article, we are going to look at some of them, so without further ado, here are 10 awesome reasons you should consider taking up golf as a new hobby or sport, even if you have never ventured on a golf course in your life before.
Golfing is a Low-Impact Activity
There is a good reason why golf is popular with seniors and people in mid-life. Unlike higher-intensity sports like football or basketball, golf is easy on your joints and body. The smooth, rhythmic swinging motion involved in striking the ball does not jar joints or tendons, unlike high-impact sports like jogging or basketball. This makes golf ideal for people of any age or fitness level. The amount of walking between holes and carrying your golf bag provides light exercise, but it’s a very relaxed kind of exercise. If you’re getting started with golf and your fitness isn’t great, you may wish to look at golf carts to help you get around the course more easily.
It Can Improve Your Focus
Golf requires intense concentration and focus. You need to block out all external distractions and keep your mind on the precise mechanics of your swing. The degree of mental focus required strengthens your concentration skills. Improved focus and concentration carry over into all areas of life, which is good to know if you have a stressful job where focus is important. Brain surgeon is a good example of a job where a lack of focus is not generally desirable.
Social Camaraderie
Golf is a social game that is built around spending 4+ hours outside relaxing with friends new and old. You can play golf with clients and coworkers or meet new friendly people at the golf course. Golf provides opportunities to strengthen relationships and meet people in a fun setting. This applies whether you are playing a casual weekend game, or you have plans to take a golfing vacation with your buddies. In either case, you can look forward to lots of laughs and some fun times once you reach the 19th hole.
Golf Gets You Outdoors
Today people spend huge amounts of time indoors staring at screens. Even if we don’t look at a screen all day for work, chances are we spend way too much time looking at our smartphones or a TV. Golf provides an excuse to get outside into nature and soak up some vitamin D from the sun. Being out in outdoor environments also reduces stress levels and just makes you feel good. So, if you’re feeling a bit low from too much time indoors, organize a golf game and soak up the sun.
Satisfaction from Improvement
Golf is a very challenging game that takes a long time to master. As you practice and work on your golf skills, you will see steady improvement over time. Seeing yourself get better at golf provides great personal satisfaction. Tracking your handicap and scores gives you measurable progress. The more you play, the more skilled you get. You can even book golf lessons with an instructor if you feel like you need some extra help. A golf pro can help you with your swing and more. Check what instructors are available at your local golf club and have a trial lesson to see if you are a good fit for the instructor.
Opportunity for Travel
There are golf courses all over the world. If you get into golf, you can plan vacations to famous golf destinations across the U.S. such as Augusta National in Georgia and Pebble Beach Golf Links in California. There are some amazing international golf courses too, including St Andrews Old Course in Scotland and Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand.
Golf vacations are popular for good reason – they provide an ideal opportunity to see new places and experience their famous golf courses. Take your family along and play golf while they relax.
Face a Mental Challenge
Golf is hard! It challenges you mentally by requiring persistence, discipline, and focus. You will make mistakes, have bad rounds, and get frustrated. Pushing through those ups and downs and continuing to practice makes you mentally stronger. Golf teaches you how to deal with and overcome failure.
Enjoy the Beauty of Nature
Golf courses are aesthetically beautiful outdoor oases. You get to walk through meticulously maintained grass as you play on the gently rolling terrain. Golf cart paths meander by ponds and wooded areas full of wildlife. Few other sports let you enjoy being immersed in nature as golf does, and there are some truly spectacular courses you can play on, Royal County Down in Northern Ireland being an excellent example.
Make Business Connections
It is not a coincidence that a lot of business deals and networking take place on golf courses. Golf and business go together like peanut butter and jelly. Many business deals have been made and relationships formed on the links. If you want to get ahead in business, golf is a great way to connect with clients, executives, and other professionals in a relaxed setting.
Experience Personal Growth
Learning any new complex activity that challenges you helps you grow as a person. Golf and the mastery journey it entails will build your confidence, patience, and determination. Your golf skills will become a source of personal pride. Sticking with golf can teach life lessons that translate into professional success.
Those are 10 excellent reasons why taking up golf as a new sport or hobby can greatly enrich your life. It improves your physical and mental health while providing social connections, exposure to nature, and opportunities for fun travel. And it just feels good to get better at something through practice over time. So, grab some clubs and get ready to join millions of other golf enthusiasts!
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