Retired individuals have plenty of time to explore new pursuits and acquire more skills. For many, golf is the perfect match since you get to enjoy the weather and fresh air. It’s also a low-impact sport improves concentration and quality of live. Here is a closer look at how taking up golf can help you as you get older.

The Top 3 Benefits of Golf for Seniors

1. Physical Exercise

While golf may not seem particularly strenuous, you can easily walk as much as four miles while doing a full 18-hole course. Walking instead of taking a golf cart will help improve strength and endurance, as well as cardiovascular health. 

Swinging a golf club can also strengthen the core muscles and reduce your risk for lower back pain. It also increases your range of motion and gives you a fun way to work out without realizing that you’re exercising.

2. A Social Experience

For many people, golf is just as much about the social experience as it is the sport itself. Going out for a round of golf with friends provides a fantastic way to maintain social connections as you age. You can even meet new people on the course to challenge to a friendly game. 

Simply getting out of the home and staying connected with others can be far more valuable to your mental and emotional health than improving your score. Relaxing with friends releases endorphins, which will boost your mood and reduce stress.

3. Mental Focus

Golf involves significant mental activity. You may not realize it, but there is a lot of strategic thinking that goes into planning your swing. You calculate everything from the wind direction and speed to the slope of the course when determining how to hit the ball. 

You also balance risk and reward when deciding whether to take an aggressive shot. The strategic thinking that goes into planning your swing can help make up for the reduced mental stimulation of no longer being in the workforce.

Whether you’re a local or planning your next Hawaii vacation, you’ll love doing a round of golf at The Village Course at Waikoloa in Waikoloa, HI. Large greens, generous fairways, and warm and dry conditions 365 days a year make this the perfect course for golfers of all skill levels. To learn more or to schedule a tee time, visit them online or call (808) 883-9621.