Playing Golf Will Help You Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

Statistically speaking, this is the time of year when a majority of New Year’s resolution makers will buckle and break those resolutions they so boldly announced on New Year’s Eve. It’s the one month mark that seems to be the length of time that most people can either do something (i.e. exercise) or not do something (i.e. smoke) before giving in to temptation or giving up in frustration! We want to help you get over this danger zone and continue to keep the resolutions you made on New Year’s so that you can look better, feel better, and be a better you in 2012. And, it shouldn’t be a surprise that we believe golf is the key to keeping your New Year’s resolutions!

We thought about simply writing a list of the most common New Year’s resolutions, but since playing golf offers multiple benefits (yes, we are biased but there’s scientific proof backing us up!) it also address multiple resolutions.  First, here are some of the basic facts about playing a 9-hole round of golf:

• How long does it take to play?
  • It should take 10 to 12 minutes per hole with a foursome. A little under 2 hours average for 9 holes.
• How many calories burned?
  • Walking: 721
  • Using push cart: 718
  • Using caddie: 613
  • Riding in a cart: 411
• How many miles walked?
  • Not riding in cart: 2.5
  • Riding in cart: 0.5

So now armed with these basics, which New Year’s resolutions can be accomplished by playing golf? Some of the benefits of playing golf are obvious from getting physical out on the course. Others are less obvious because they are by-products of getting out there on the course. Either way, golf is good for you in many ways including keeping these common New Year’s resolutions:

• Exercise – 90 minutes of activity two or three times a week is a great way to get exercise and when you walk the course carrying your clubs it’s cardio, too!
• Lose Weight – as long as you don’t overeat after you play then your weight loss diet will benefit from the calories expended during a round of golf. If you continue to eat properly, your golf play will result in a few pounds lost each month when you walk the course when you play. It may not seem like a lot but just add up the lost pounds at the end of the year. You’ll need to buy some new pants!
• Stop Smoking – outdoor exercise has long been known to promote smoking cessation. When you walk the golf course and carry (or push) your clubs, you’ll need the ability to breath easily because it is a cardio workout. How many times have you seen someone smoking on a treadmill? The same concept applies with golf – you may try to smoke on the course but you won’t want to after you climb that first hill and find yourself out of breath.
• Socialize – most often golfers play in a group and that can be very important for socialization purposes. Even if you’re not a big talker, it’s important to have social connections with other people for emotional and mental well-being. Playing golf lets you bond with others and whether for business or pleasure or a combo of both it’s a social game and that’s important to personal well-being.

And, FYI many golfers claim that walking the golf course actually makes you a better golfer because you will better understand the course – literally! When you walk the course you will better see the lay of the land and have time to plan your club selection and shot strategy.

So if you feel like you’re in a danger of breaking a New Year’s resolution or you just want to feel better physically and mentally in 2012, play a few rounds of golf each week. You’ll feel better and likely look better, too – we promise!

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