Golf is often described as ‘a good walk spoiled’ but playing 18 holes on foot may have the edge on a hike through the countryside, according to the latest scientific research.
A study has found that the sport is better for you than Nordic walking, which uses upper body power and walking poles to provide extra exertion.
Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland analysed data for 16 men and nine women who were golfers, healthy and aged 65 and over. The team looked at three aerobic exercises – an 18-hole round of golf, 3.7 miles of Nordic walking, and a 3.7-mile regular walk – and measured the effects on blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipids (such as cholesterol).
The results, published online in the journal BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, showed that all three types of aerobic exercise improved cardiovascular health in older adults, including by lowering blood pressure. However, the study suggested it was golf that seemed to have the biggest effect on blood fats and the metabolism of glucose, which keeps blood sugar levels stable.
The researchers said: “Despite the lower exercise intensity of golf, the longer duration and higher energy expenditure appeared to have a more positive effect on lipid profile and glucose metabolism compared with Nordic walking and walking.”