Play Golf: Live Longer

Did you know that playing golf could help you live longer? It’s true.  
In a study conducted by the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and 
Science in Sports showed that people that play golf enjoy an increase 
in life expectancy.

According to the study, the death rate for golfers is 40 percent lower 
than for non-golfers of the same sex, age and socioeconomic status.

The study, led by Anders Ahlbom and Bahman Farahmand at the Karolinska 
Institute in Stockholm, Sweden says that the increase life expectancy 
could equate to 5 years of extra life.

But there is a catch.  The study examined golfers that walked while 
they played. The study did not include a study of golfers that ride in 
a cart while they play. So to enjoy the benefits that playing golf can 
offer, according to study, you must walk while you play, not ride in a 
golf cart.

“A round of golf means being outside for 4 or 5 hours, walking at a 
fast pace for about 4 miles,” said Ahlbom in study.

The study was based on data from 300,000 Swedish golfers. Other 
factors, such as a generally healthy lifestyle, may help explain the 
lower death rate seen among golfers, the scientists said. It is still 
likely that playing the game has a significant impact in itself on 
health.

“People play golf into old age, and there are also positive social and 
psychological aspects to the game that can help, ” said Ahlbom.

So even if you don’t walk while you play, playing golf could extend 
your life!